My wife and I were recently discussing what we might do to celebrate our upcoming 15th anniversary. We had mentioned taking the Amtrak to St. Louis and back, (as neither of us had ever ridden on a train before, and it sounds fun and adventurous) and while there maybe visiting the zoo, eating at a nice upscale restaurant, and staying at a highly rated 4 or 5 star hotel. You know, the whole shebang--living it up for the weekend before returning home.
I thought about this offf and on, milling it over in my mind as to whether this is something that would be rewarding and just a "trainload" of kicks. Yet something about it just didn't settle right with me so I asked her just rather point-blank what she thought about instead of this idea, how about we appropriate a very similar amount of money that we would have spent on something like this only instead we donate to either a children's homeless shelter, or maybe a battered women's shelter. We don't want to give cash beause it could so easily be misappropriated. Quite to my surprise, she was all in favor of the idea--so giving, so helpful to a group or organization of people who are legitimate and would find the extra money, goods or services extremely helpful, and turn a bunch of upside-down frowns into right-side-up smiles.
I've done a quick search on the internet to find info about various shelters and the like, trying to determine their legitimacy. Well, the quick result is that most all of them "seem" legitimate, but I just don't know. "Seeming" legit is one of the most effective methods for separating one's money from one's checkbook, and we don't want to give to any groups that are a front for more nefarious purposes going on behind the scenes that we may not be aware of.
So , "what's on my mind" today is to check with the members of this forum to learn if there are any members here who have first-hand knowledge of any groups or organizations in the Kansas City area that are in fact whom they claim to be and are, quite frankly, "on the up and up". Once my wife and I have targeted one or two of them as being who they say they are, and not a front for psychopaths to rob unwitting philanthropists, we intend to contact the manager or director of said group and find out what we can do for them.
So, forum members, anyone out there who has dealt personally with such groups in other cities in the US such as we are seeking to give aid to in the form of food, clothing and or other necessary and desirable goods and/or services--we would greatly appreciate any responses with names, addresses, phone numbers, etc., so that we may contact them and find out as much as we are able in order to make the right decision as to whom is an honest enough group that we could impact their lives in a positive way. By no means are we rich, but we figured we could share anywhere from $500 to as much as $1,000 to help--and keep it anonymous as possible through the entire process.
This is to be our anniversary gift to each other for 15 years of love, friendship and companionship with each other. We can't think of a more giving way of showing each other how much we love and care for one another than to help someone who REALLY needs it!
Any ideas, anyone? I will check in over the next several days for ideas from forum members--and Thank You, Thank You, Thank You in advance. I appreciate all everyone on this forum does in serving others in their own special niche!
KC
I thought about this offf and on, milling it over in my mind as to whether this is something that would be rewarding and just a "trainload" of kicks. Yet something about it just didn't settle right with me so I asked her just rather point-blank what she thought about instead of this idea, how about we appropriate a very similar amount of money that we would have spent on something like this only instead we donate to either a children's homeless shelter, or maybe a battered women's shelter. We don't want to give cash beause it could so easily be misappropriated. Quite to my surprise, she was all in favor of the idea--so giving, so helpful to a group or organization of people who are legitimate and would find the extra money, goods or services extremely helpful, and turn a bunch of upside-down frowns into right-side-up smiles.
I've done a quick search on the internet to find info about various shelters and the like, trying to determine their legitimacy. Well, the quick result is that most all of them "seem" legitimate, but I just don't know. "Seeming" legit is one of the most effective methods for separating one's money from one's checkbook, and we don't want to give to any groups that are a front for more nefarious purposes going on behind the scenes that we may not be aware of.
So , "what's on my mind" today is to check with the members of this forum to learn if there are any members here who have first-hand knowledge of any groups or organizations in the Kansas City area that are in fact whom they claim to be and are, quite frankly, "on the up and up". Once my wife and I have targeted one or two of them as being who they say they are, and not a front for psychopaths to rob unwitting philanthropists, we intend to contact the manager or director of said group and find out what we can do for them.
So, forum members, anyone out there who has dealt personally with such groups in other cities in the US such as we are seeking to give aid to in the form of food, clothing and or other necessary and desirable goods and/or services--we would greatly appreciate any responses with names, addresses, phone numbers, etc., so that we may contact them and find out as much as we are able in order to make the right decision as to whom is an honest enough group that we could impact their lives in a positive way. By no means are we rich, but we figured we could share anywhere from $500 to as much as $1,000 to help--and keep it anonymous as possible through the entire process.
This is to be our anniversary gift to each other for 15 years of love, friendship and companionship with each other. We can't think of a more giving way of showing each other how much we love and care for one another than to help someone who REALLY needs it!
Any ideas, anyone? I will check in over the next several days for ideas from forum members--and Thank You, Thank You, Thank You in advance. I appreciate all everyone on this forum does in serving others in their own special niche!
KC
