As everyone knows, the state of the global economy more or less, well… sucks. People are losing their jobs by the thousands (don’t worry, top corporate and financial executives, and members of the U.S. congress still have their “golden” pay packages, health insurance, retirement savings, etc.), municipal governments are planning for massive budget shortages, and families are being tossed out of their homes; which is why I’m proposing something a little different for this seventh day of Christmas suggestion – make a small donation for the general good.
If you have it in your power to do so, instead of a store-bought gift, make a donation in someone’s name to your local food bank or homeless shelter. Drop a buck in a Salvation Army kettle. Scratch out a small check and mail it to your local favorite charity (if it’s a large organization, check Charity Navigator first; not all who claim to do good do as much good as they claim). For those who would like to focus their giving on the world of nature – great! Have I got a suggestion for you.
Just the other day I received a distressing e-mail message from my friends at BirdNote, the daily two-minute radio program and podcast that brings the wonder of birds to thousands of listeners around the world:
Dear Friend of BirdNote:
Thank you for being a steadfast fan of BirdNote. We enjoy sending you the weekly previews of upcoming BirdNote shows, 52 times a year without request for support.
In these unusual economic times, however, we need to ask you and other members of the BirdNote community for your support. We need to do this because BirdNote’s “angel” underwriter – who has shouldered the main financial burden for more than three years – is no longer able to do so. She has contributed more than $60,000 per year, about a third of what it costs to produce BirdNote. It will take many of us to fill her shoes, so I ask you to make a donation if you can. BirdNote needs your help to keep bringing stories to the air.
Times are tough for most everyone right now; and I’m sure donations are the furthest thing from anyone’s mind; however if you do find yourself in a position to make a contribution to BirdNote, know that you’ll not only be giving a gift to the person in whose name the donation is made, you’ll be making it to thousands of BirdNote’s listeners as well and helping to continue BirdNote’s joyful message of the wonders of birds that can help sustain us all through the dark days to come.
Peace and good bird watching.
