OzBargain 2013 Christmas Charity Donations

scotty on 04/12/2013 - 16:29
Last edited 10/12/2013 - 23:35

Update: There were 149 unique commenters at 12AM 9 December, which means we will be donating $11,490 to 3 charities this Christmas. I am still going through the comments and looking at the suggested charities. Decision will be made sometime this week.

Update 2: Donations will go to

  • Caritas Typhoon Haiyan Appeal
  • Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery
  • Vinnies Christmas Appeal
  • Beyond Blue

It's the silly season again, and for this Christmas, OzBargain is going to donate $10,000 + <some undetermined amount> to a few charities that the OzBargainers choose. It's our second year doing Christmas donation (last year's Xmas donation here), and we'll be doing it a bit different this time.

I have actually already had a few causes that I would like to donate to, due to natural disasters happened this year, namely:

I think the donation might help out some victims, or fund related rescue work or prevention work. However I am not quite sure which charity or organisation to donate to. Might need your help here.

I would also like to ask for a 3rd charity to donate to. Something local that helps Australians. Something that's of Christmas spirit. Last year we had Swags for Homeless and The Orange Pigeon. Maybe something similar as well?

So,

  • Suggest me a charity for the NSW bushfire (SBS has a page on that).
  • Suggest me a charity for the Philippines Typhoon Haiyan victims (international territory & looks like quite a few frauds out there).
  • Suggest me a charity for Christmas (last year's list might be helpful).

How much would we give? It would be similar to our EoFY giving this year — $10,000 + $10 x number of unique commenters here, until mid-nigh Sunday 8 December. Note — there might be an upper-bound to make sure OzBargain and its staffs can still have a Christmas :) Also note that

  • Creating multiple accounts on OzBargain is against our terms and conditions, and might get your accounts banned.
  • Posting spam, personal attacks and trolling comments might get your comment removed (your account might be temporarily banned as well). Unpublished comments don't count towards the tally.

Once we work out the final amount to give, I will just split the amount to 3 and give to the charities next week.

Site Discussion

Comments

  • Blockey on 04/12/2013 - 17:35
    -3

    What about unicef.org.au for the Philippines, I know they are big but at least you know they aren't a fraud.

    Oxfam & The Smith Family also do some good work for Australians.

  • ukmark on 04/12/2013 - 18:27

    Camp Quality gets my vote.

  • Ci3reR on 04/12/2013 - 19:05
    +1

    Suggesting for:

    • radicalvin on 09/12/2013 - 13:10

      I vote for these two

  • JetBombat on 04/12/2013 - 19:30
    +7

    Animal Welfare League NSW, registered charity that has been caring for surrendered, neglected and abandoned animals for over 50 years. Little fellas also want to have good xmas.

  • MissLouise on 04/12/2013 - 20:25
    +1

    I agree with the suggestion for Caritas as the the charity to support for the Phillippines relief efforts. They get my vote because they keep their admin costs under 10%.

    • scotty on 05/12/2013 - 09:10

      Thanks. Will definitely take a look at Caritas.

    • keithality on 05/12/2013 - 15:11
      +1

      +1 for Caritas as well.
      They do good work, and one of the lowest admin costs for charities in Aus.
      Even tax deductible if that's important to you.

    • cannedhams on 05/12/2013 - 18:30

      I will look at giving $50 to them they sound like a good outfit.

  • mdsh on 04/12/2013 - 20:34
    +1

    I would like to suggest micro-lending via https://www.zidisha.org. You will likely get most of your money back when the loans are repaid (there will probably be some loan defaults, and some losses due to inflation). The loans help entrepreneurs in Africa, Indonesia etc. expand their businesses.

    • scotty on 05/12/2013 - 09:11

      Yes I've looked at those micro-lending sites. Good idea, although accounting-wise it's a bit different from charity which I still need to figure out. Might give that a try in our next EoFY giving.

    • bobsi18 on 05/12/2013 - 23:07

      I was going to suggest something similar (I've been looking into Kiva)

      AND, I wanted to say, a great thing you're doing here Scotty!

  • Peace Maker on 04/12/2013 - 20:38
    +8

    My 2 cents, a charity for carers of people with disabilities. They receive little assistance and take the high cost of live in assistance away from the public system.

    BTW, good work Scotty. It's a nice touch, considering we are all scrooges the rest of the year ;)

    Well done to you and the OzBargain Team.

  • Ching ching on 04/12/2013 - 21:14
    +1

    Posting only to add $10 to the donations.

  • oztonyau on 04/12/2013 - 21:29
    +6

    Hamilton Fistula (Ethiopia) Australia is my suggestion. Dr Catherine Hamlin does great work in Africa for women with humiliating childbirth injuries, see
    http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2012/s3488960.htm
    http://hamlin.org.au/about/

    • Miss Dior on 06/12/2013 - 23:25

      So true, even after the loss of her husband she continues.

  • mskeggs on 04/12/2013 - 21:34
    +4

    I live in the Blue Mountains, although luckily up the hill from the area worst affected, and I would suggest that there is already a lot of donations to the bush fires.
    There have been reports that people are refusing charity, and I can attest the majority of people affected have insurance, and while terrible, it pales compared to the Philippines.

    A charity I would suggest is the Red Cross Disaster Relief fund. It is those guys who turn up with aid in the first few days, and they need the cash to be ready for the next disaster.

  • mskeggs on 04/12/2013 - 21:38
    +3

    And as a second suggestion. Could OzBargain start a Kiva team? It isn't a charity, as it is mainly micro-finance (although you can gift money for admin) where you loan cash to a recipient who then pays it back over time.
    You can then re-lend it, spreading the good. In theory, you could withdraw your loans too, but I have never tried.
    They have teams of donors. At the moment I think the atheists are beating the Christians, with Team Australia not too far behind.
    A Team OzBargain would be cool. Perhaps we could pledge to donate half our accumulated savings ;-)

    • machej on 06/12/2013 - 19:52

      Not a bad idea but kiva isn't tax deductible so it can be a second thing us ozbargainers can do. I use kiva currently and it's great.

  • 2jzzzz on 04/12/2013 - 22:12
    +3

    Rspca and beyond blue.

    • twinbag on 06/12/2013 - 14:42

      +1 for RSPCA especially at this time of year.

      So many animals are still given as pets for Christmas only to end up at shelters shortly thereafter.

      • johnno07 on 06/12/2013 - 23:53

        I actually saw a man walking around Carindale Shopping Centre today with a puppy in an a pet crate thing, in a trolley, asking various passers-by if they wanted it.

        • sparkles on 07/12/2013 - 18:19

          OMG, I would have gone home with a puppy. I'm no scrooge when it comes to little critters. Only everything else LOL.

    • nothommus on 07/12/2013 - 21:55

      Definitely RSPCA

  • Joysky on 04/12/2013 - 22:47
    +1

    Compassion (http://www.compassion.com.au/content/typhoon-haiyan/gkkegp) for Typhoon Haiyan

  • battler on 04/12/2013 - 23:34
    +1

    Red Cross (http://www.redcross.org.au/typhoon-haiyan-2013.aspx) for Typhoon Haiyan

  • grasstown on 05/12/2013 - 00:05
    +1

    Christmas is so lonely for some people .
    One charity in Sydney that helps those who are most alienated from society http://www.cana.org.au/ No govt funding
    Good work Scotty

  • Tink on 05/12/2013 - 00:59
    +4

    Médecins Sans Frontières Australia (http://www.msf.org.au/) for their relief efforts in the Philippines and ongoing aid work around the world :)

    • super8 on 07/12/2013 - 08:10

      +1

  • bluedufflecoat on 05/12/2013 - 08:44
    +1

    Typhoon Haiyan: Samaritan's Purse. Admin costs for 2012 was about 10.8% of total income.
    Christmas: Salvos / Vinnies

    • Dalton on 05/12/2013 - 17:56
      +1

      Salvos get my vote.

  • TheBatman101 on 05/12/2013 - 09:46
    +1

    NSW Bush Fires Scotty. We did a lot to support the QLD floods and I worry that not enough was done for mountainess cousins.

    =)

  • pianissimo on 05/12/2013 - 12:23
    +3

    I've suggested it before, and I'll suggest it again: Lifeline. While those of us fortunate enough to be surrounded by family and friends celebrate, Christmas can be the worst/loneliest time of year for some people.

    (I have no connection with Lifeline, other than knowing some volunteers on their crisis support line)

  • pianissimo on 05/12/2013 - 12:26
    +5

    Forgot to say: thanks so much for doing this scotty. It almost makes me want to unblock the ads and click through on some of them…Almost… :)

  • [Deactivated] on 05/12/2013 - 12:57

    Medecins sans Frontieres is a good charity for international disaster relief - I don't remember what my research turned up exactly, but they tend to top lists of "good charities".

    I like the work Beyond Blue is doing, but I haven't researched their percentage of donations actually used for charity.

    (Mainly posting to add $10 to the charity though! Great initiative :) )

  • twodollah on 05/12/2013 - 13:53

    +$10 :)

  • fomal on 05/12/2013 - 14:02

    Awesome kindness from Ozbargain!

  • dannyeei on 05/12/2013 - 14:43
    +2

    Although not really for OzBargain donating to it Edmund Rice Camps are a great charity which require volunteers more than money to get going. It basically involves mentoring a disadvantaged child over the course of a camp. I strongly recommend it http://www.edmundricecampsbrisbane.org/#!volunteer-today/c8a… there is a link to the volunteer page and I hope some of you will volunteer.

  • dsp26 on 05/12/2013 - 14:54

    I do a lot of volunteer work in Brisbane with the group behind this initiative (but is national):
    http://stuffthebus.org.au/

    Now before anyone judges, yes it is run by volunteers of Christian church (Hillsong). Please watch both videos (but there are more).

    City Care is an initiative separate from the church that focuses on providing love, care and practical assistance to Australian communities doing it tough and the "Stuff the Bus" campaign is probably our biggest yearly drive to provide neccessities to families and toys/gifts for parents to wrap for their children to give them the dignity to provide so that they do not come from City Care or the church.

  • k on 05/12/2013 - 15:43

    +$10

  • mparf on 05/12/2013 - 16:00

    Oxfam gets my vote!!

  • rjblakel on 05/12/2013 - 17:06

    Great initiative!

  • MsBin on 05/12/2013 - 17:08
    +4

    Great idea!

    As a teacher, I would love to see some support for the 'Indigenous Literacy Foundation'. Their aim is to raise literacy levels and provide reading opportunities for Indigenous kids in remote and isolated regions. This is done by providing books and raising community awareness of literacy issues. A very worthwhile cause, as reading can open doors that we never knew were closed.

    More info here- http://www.indigenousliteracyfoundation.org.au

  • rong818 on 05/12/2013 - 17:16

    I am posting this for discovery purpose, I saw an airtanker on TV and how they fight bushfires. However, a quick Google search reveal no related Aussie organisation working with this tech (most likely no river close by or other situation). If so, I would very much suggest giving money to this cause.

  • [Deactivated] on 05/12/2013 - 18:40
    +3

    Happy if it goes towards the Philippines. Happy if it goes to poor kids. Happy if it goes to the rescue of animals that idiots give as spur of the moment Christmas presents.

  • aussie-bargainz on 05/12/2013 - 18:42

    +$10 :D

  • kat123 on 05/12/2013 - 19:08
    +2

    i like the Swags for Homeless option

  • Sinton on 05/12/2013 - 19:11
    +1

    +1 for the Salvo's

  • Eivad on 05/12/2013 - 19:12

    Beyond blue gets my vote

  • Nazy on 05/12/2013 - 19:13
    +1

    Great charities suggested so far, no charity to add by me, just commenting to add $10 to the kind donation by Ozbargain.

  • loveozb on 05/12/2013 - 19:14
    +2

    +$10 Scotty..you are doing a great job! Cheers.

  • taqi on 05/12/2013 - 19:18
    +1

    Scotty, you do amazing work man

  • riley94 on 05/12/2013 - 19:29

    So generous!

    I'd love to see some money go to Beyond Blue or Lifeline.

  • pointy1 on 05/12/2013 - 19:36

    Médecins Sans Frontières Australia do some great work would like to see some go to them

  • kRaYziE666 on 05/12/2013 - 19:51

    Great work :)

  • roguesas on 05/12/2013 - 19:55

    awesome work you're doing here

  • joey005 on 05/12/2013 - 20:24

    I vote for red cross for the donation.

  • Icy on 05/12/2013 - 20:29

    comment :)

  • Mikaela on 05/12/2013 - 21:23

    This is awesome :)

  • gummibears on 05/12/2013 - 21:31

    This is great. Good on ya Scotty.

  • ms marc on 05/12/2013 - 21:45
    +1

    +$10 Australian Red Cross gets my vote - like Caritas, their admin costs are max 10% and of course, you get tax deduction.

  • iampoor on 05/12/2013 - 21:55

    Great job!

  • icheema on 05/12/2013 - 22:07
    +1

    one of the many reasons I love this community. Good Stuff Scotty and the staff.

  • sw0rdy on 05/12/2013 - 22:15

    +$10 :D!

  • modsec802 on 05/12/2013 - 22:23

    +$10 well done :)

  • rekabkram on 05/12/2013 - 22:34

    Awesome guys, $10,000 is a huge amount and will certainly do a lot of good.

    I've got a couple of suggestions for amazing charity's -

    For the NSW bushfire's it's hard to look past the red cross and as Blocky said UNICEF for the Philippines typhoon.

    (Thanks for the $10 donation too)

  • ppx on 05/12/2013 - 22:49

    Good job ozbargain!

  • t_c on 05/12/2013 - 22:56

    +$10 for those in need, thanks Scotty.

  • Unrvl on 05/12/2013 - 23:57
    +1

    respect++ Scotty. i think swags for the typhoon victims.

  • sybones on 06/12/2013 - 00:41
    +1

    RSPCA for Christmas :)
    Thanks OzBargain and all OzBargainers who commented for a good cause.

  • Realsteel on 06/12/2013 - 09:41

    Great job Ozbargain!

  • Blugok on 06/12/2013 - 10:16

    +$10

  • ohsnap on 06/12/2013 - 10:17

    +$10 Good job!

  • tinx on 06/12/2013 - 10:38

    +$10

  • lakers1222 on 06/12/2013 - 10:46
    +1

    This is the only forum I follow. I'n glad it's run by such nice people
    Thanks Scotty and team OzB

  • ciab on 06/12/2013 - 11:26

    +$10

  • chiefbodge on 06/12/2013 - 11:50
    +1

    +1 for Caritas. So much devastation in the Philippines - they need as much help as they can get.

  • cash8 on 06/12/2013 - 12:03

    +$10 Merry Christmas! God Bless these kind hearts :)

  • abc on 06/12/2013 - 12:11

    $10 - unique commenter ^_^

  • ReSublimity on 06/12/2013 - 12:22

    +1 for Animal Welfare League NSW!!!

  • bluerinse on 06/12/2013 - 12:22
    +2

    WSPA - they are currently assisting animals affected by the typhoon in the Philippines
    Red Cross - well known and not corrupt

  • sintro on 06/12/2013 - 12:48

    Please, just make sure it's not a "fake" charity. Even the well known ones might not get a majority of the funds to the people in need.

    Better off donating to those you personally know that are in need.

  • Dorka on 06/12/2013 - 12:53
    +1

    Alzheimer's Australia is my vote

    www.fightdementia.org.au/

  • sash213 on 06/12/2013 - 13:15

    $10

  • daewoo on 06/12/2013 - 13:31
    +1

    Such Beyond Blue.

    Much $10.

    Wow.

  • Belistic on 06/12/2013 - 14:15

    Beyond Blue or Salvos

  • Baa on 06/12/2013 - 14:30

    +$10

  • Methodical on 06/12/2013 - 14:44

    +10$ Much respect! Love seeing this generosity :)

  • Smulder on 06/12/2013 - 15:22

    Unique comment!

  • sintro on 06/12/2013 - 15:48
    -5

    My vote! Please donate to http://freesnowden.is/

    The Journalistic Source Protection Defence Fund raises money for journalistic sources' legal defence. Periodically it will nominate sources it wishes to direct legal and campaign aide to. For its first source it has selected Mr Edward Snowden whose revelations have exposed the extent to which the world is being mass surveilled by the United States.

    Protect and keep the our bargaining freedom!

  • Brick50 on 06/12/2013 - 15:52

    +$10

  • kcyw on 06/12/2013 - 15:53

    Thank you Ozbargain and Scotty. Medecins sans Frontieres or Fred Hollows Foundation are my favourite charities.

  • veritas_mendax on 06/12/2013 - 16:04

    Batyr - Their mission is to engage, educate and empower young people to speak out about social and mental health issues. To foster an environment where seeking help and talking about mental health is not only acceptable but is encouraged and supported.

  • [Deactivated] on 06/12/2013 - 16:20
    +2

    My suggestion is "Save the Children" for the Philippines and Typhoon Haiyan. If not this charity, then one that actively supports breastfeeding for children in disaster areas. Breastmilk is a free, clean and locally available resource that is often threatened when a flood of formula arrives post-disaster. Unfortunately no-one ever provides endless clean bottles and an uncontaminated water supply to go with the formula…or any formula once the mother's own milk has dried up and all the charities have left. Save the Children are one of the few (but increasing in number thankfully) charities that actively support breastfeeding in a disaster.

    “The uncontrolled distribution and use of infant formula in emergency situations like this – where there are serious water and sanitation challenges and other disease risks – is extremely dangerous. Supporting breastfeeding is one of the most important things we can do to protect babies in areas of the Philippines hit by the typhoon,” said Dr Julie Hall, WHO Representative in the Philippines.
    http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/releases/2013/philippine…

    According to the United Nations Population Fund, 25,000 babies are expected to be born within the next month in the areas worst affected by the typhoon.

    “Breastfeeding is critical for newborn babies, especially following a disaster like Typhoon Haiyan, which has had a devastating impact on the Philippines,” said Jesse Hartness, Save the Children’s Advisor for Nutrition in Emergencies.

    “In emergencies it is the youngest who are at the greatest risk of serious illness. In fact, non-breastfed infants are 50 times more likely to be hospitalized from diarrhea than breastfed babies.”
    http://www.savethechildren.org.au/about-us/media-and-publica…

  • Tnetennba on 06/12/2013 - 17:01

    +$10

  • edgar28 on 06/12/2013 - 17:04
    +1

    my suggestion : you donate in terms of essential items than money.
    Too many corrupted cases where money gone into wrong hands…. into taxes…… in admin……..

    i heard many stories that 1 dollar donated end up only 5 cents in the needy hand…… 30% into tax, 50% into admin (people handing out brochure in shopping mall etc) 15% in transport

    thumbs up for a good heart and soul.

  • howdee on 06/12/2013 - 17:15

    +$10

  • sama on 06/12/2013 - 17:16
    +2

    Fred Hollows is my suggestion but whatever it is, we should all make sure we put in a comment on this thread!

  • whytd on 06/12/2013 - 17:19
    • $10 :)
  • fertiliser on 06/12/2013 - 17:19

    red team reporting in

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join