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 Unpublished comments don't count towards the tally.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

  • tarken on 06/12/2013 - 17:36

    +10 from me

  • extremedeal on 06/12/2013 - 18:11

    +$10 yay

  • Food on 06/12/2013 - 18:23

    Food wishes everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New year
    +$10

  • 76F on 06/12/2013 - 19:21

    +$10

  • viperxz on 06/12/2013 - 19:40

    +$10

  • cakebaker on 06/12/2013 - 19:50

    +$10. I'd pick Medecins sans Frontieres or Oxfam.

  • machej on 06/12/2013 - 19:54

    Thanks scotty, all your charities are good. So I don't mind where it goes.

  • Tyrannosaurus Rex on 06/12/2013 - 19:55

    Hummingbird House https://www.facebook.com/HummingbirdHouseQK

    Heartkids http://heartkidsnsw.org.au/

    Fantastic thing you're doing.

  • fryandlaurie on 06/12/2013 - 20:13

    Well done to you scotty and all ozbargainers as well for giving the website and owner your full support. Really good suggestions for charities so far. Just remember to mix it up as much as possible. Keep it up everyone.

  • Halc on 06/12/2013 - 21:07

    +$10

  • incarnate on 06/12/2013 - 21:16

    +$10

  • Sleeken on 06/12/2013 - 21:59

    $10, I'd also go for medicine sans frontières

  • [Deactivated] on 06/12/2013 - 22:55

    +$10

    If donations to animal shelters are being considered.. I'll throw "Moorook Animal Shelter" in the mix. (http://www.moorookanimalshelter.com.au/)

    They're a non-profit / no kill animal shelter located in South Australia, operated by Lola with the help other volunteers.

  • ujwols on 06/12/2013 - 23:02

    +10

  • Miss Dior on 06/12/2013 - 23:34

    For Australia: in the bush: Buyabale and also Aussiehelpers.

  • Giraffe on 07/12/2013 - 00:14

    +$10

  • Tigi on 07/12/2013 - 00:39
    +2

    The Fred Hollows

  • MelbBargainChaser77 on 07/12/2013 - 02:04

    Merry Christmas

  • OzJD on 07/12/2013 - 02:15

    +$10… I mean Beyond Blue.

  • teehee on 07/12/2013 - 03:42

    +10 :)

  • brett-au on 07/12/2013 - 11:36

    Edit: actually the swags one is something I've never heard about and its possibly better to make a big donation to a small charity rather than help a large well established one.

    Alternatively Beyond Blue please, but I'd prefer the SES rather than bushfires nsw.

    • sparkles on 07/12/2013 - 18:24

      True, some of the large charities - think Red Cross, Salvos, Vinnies, have more money than they know what to do with. Anyway +$10! Still thinking about recommendations….

  • manlol on 07/12/2013 - 11:57

    Great work Ozbargain team :)

  • KBZ on 07/12/2013 - 12:05

    Anything local would be good

  • Zak on 07/12/2013 - 12:49
    +2

    Thank you, Scotty and OzBargain. As with last year, this is awesome.

    I'd be happy to see these generous donations go to any legit. charity doing worthwhile work - preferably helping those in this world who need it most.

    I'd agree that those where a high percentage of the donation ends up with the rightful recipients sound appealing, but I would also like to know it was going to secular charities, or at least ones that are offering genuine, meaningful assistance, not preaching/missionary work.

  • Moots on 07/12/2013 - 13:21

    Fred hollows.

  • gavt on 07/12/2013 - 14:44

    +$10

  • HuntsmanII on 07/12/2013 - 15:37

    Just adding my designated $10

  • TurnipHead on 07/12/2013 - 18:09

    Here's a (US-skewed) list of charities for Super Typhoon Haiyan Disaster Relief.
    http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=content.view&c…

    My vote's for Oxfam. Awesome initiative again scotty!!

  • mahgo on 07/12/2013 - 18:11

    +$10

  • bludb1 on 07/12/2013 - 20:04

    Nice + $10

  • BrunoBear on 07/12/2013 - 20:08

    I like

  • [Deactivated] on 07/12/2013 - 20:39

    Any Philippines typhoon relief, for me.

  • pickme on 07/12/2013 - 20:42
    +5

    +$10

    Seeing this thread got me thinking of the importance of giving. I've already told the kids we will go to Kmart and they can pick a present each to leave under the wishing tree for someone who isn't as lucky as us. We certainly aren't rich but we have a roof over our heads, we have our health and we have each other.

  • cpl123 on 07/12/2013 - 21:41

    +$10 for me.
    Kiva sounds interesting. Have not heard of them but will check them out. I have attended a presentation from a fund manager who invests in microfinance loans. The default rate is remarkably low (same can't be said of the billions loaned to major corporations…or rather former corporations). Apparently it's a matter of pride for the micro-loan borrowers to be able to get up on their feet, make a living and repay the loan.

    • cpl123 on 08/12/2013 - 21:26

      Can this deal be ozbargained?

  • Clever Girl on 07/12/2013 - 21:46

    Certainly victims of Typhoon Haiyan and NSW Bushfires are very worthwhile causes. Can I suggest HammondCare, specialising in aged and dementia care. Dementia is affecting a lot of people some very young who needs very specialised care. Please have a look at their website: www.hammond.com.au, I am very impressed with the research and work they are doing. Thank you.

  • IanPlatypus on 07/12/2013 - 21:48

    Nice work.
    I'd like to see donations to something here in Aus over the overseas aid, what exactly I don't know.

  • someguy102 on 07/12/2013 - 22:13

    Easiest $10 donation.

  • zrmx on 08/12/2013 - 02:05

    Had been using OzBargain for 1+ years now, and only register an account to make a comment for the good cause
    Well done Scotty and OzBargain.

    An idea (I wouldn't go as far as saying it's a recommendation or suggestion) for international Charity would be "Plan" (www.plan.org.au) , with main focus on the children (?).

    Australian / Christmas charity: Beyond blue and Salvation Army

  • regenade on 08/12/2013 - 07:30

    Yay for +$10 and esp Philippines and Typhoon Haiyan.

  • AmericanDad on 08/12/2013 - 07:37
    • 10 from me!
  • RoJeR on 08/12/2013 - 08:14

    +$10 Beyond Blue

  • WaywardOne on 08/12/2013 - 09:28

    +$10 for Beyond Blue

  • michael991 on 08/12/2013 - 09:33

    +$10

  • Conka on 08/12/2013 - 10:59

    Great idea Scotty + team.

  • christopher8827 on 08/12/2013 - 14:43

    St Vincent de Paul aka The Vinnies.

  • [Deactivated] on 08/12/2013 - 14:44

    MSF and Shelterbox won't waste your donations. Already been many reports of officials stealing and hoarding aid supplies in The Philippines sadly. Unfortunately anything to do with the UN is usually weighed down by bureaucracy and waste. Cerebral Palsy Alliance Australia is another one of many charities worthy of everyone's support.

    Good job again.

  • MrLeE on 08/12/2013 - 14:51

    +$10. this is such a great idea!

  • kingsville on 08/12/2013 - 14:54

    great to see ozbargain doing this again

  • bwad on 08/12/2013 - 15:28

    Philippines need it more than anyone right now, some might say spend it closer to home, but we are all human beings. Good work Ozbargain.

  • Pyro on 08/12/2013 - 17:31

    charitywater.com cheers

  • lisss on 08/12/2013 - 19:57

    $10 :)

    My vote, beyond blue or cancer research.

  • xfiledavid on 08/12/2013 - 21:47

    Plus 10

    kids or animals my preference

  • lonepine on 08/12/2013 - 23:05

    Medecins sans frontieres in Sydney?

    http://www.msf.org.au/donate.html

  • ahara on 08/12/2013 - 23:45

    Lifeline, Beyond Blue please :)

    And well done !

  • BMO on 08/12/2013 - 23:55

    +$10.

  • easternbluecut on 08/12/2013 - 23:59

    +10 (I think I've made it in time!)

  • scotty on 09/12/2013 - 00:18
    +3

    4 days later we ended up having 149 unique commenters on this thread. So we'll be donating $11,490 to 3 charities later this week. I am still digesting all the comments and looking at the options, and will make the decision in the next 2 days.

  • ysrb on 09/12/2013 - 18:21

    Found this https://www.littlelights.org.au and they are belong to http://www.schf.org.au/home.aspx

  • Devils Advocate on 09/12/2013 - 18:47

    Good work Scotty!

  • megadeth on 09/12/2013 - 20:42

    Suggesting http://lightforlife.org.au/

    This relates to the families who lose their breadwinners to acts of terrorism. $2 and above are tax deductible.

  • flyingtrapeze on 10/12/2013 - 08:28

    this charity donation with contributor's preference should be highlighted as a benefit of joining OZbargain site. excellent way to give back to the community.

  • Austin 316 on 10/12/2013 - 15:08

    Wow. What a great initiative Scotty. Proud being an ozbargainer. +10

    Kudos to you and your team!

  • scotty on 10/12/2013 - 23:34
    +3

    Hi all. I think an exercise like this every 6 months do teach me about the need for charity funding in Australia and across the world. Life is much more than finding bargains, and Christmas is a great time to appreciate what we have and do something to help those who don't. These are the charities that we will be donating to this Christmas:

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

    Total amount will be split to 4 so roughly $2,880 each. Beyond Blue didn't really fit into the 3 appeals in my original post, however it was mentioned many times here. We have donated to them back in June 2012, and I think they are doing something really important helping those suffering from depression. Not that other charities aren't important, but I guess it's probably closer to home for some.

    Sorry if I didn't pick the charity of your choice. Leaving a link here is already great contribution — these posts will hopefully be revisited by others who are in the mood of giving.

    • Zak on 12/12/2013 - 18:44

      Thanks again, Scotty and OzBargain.

      This is bloomin' fantastic.

  • cst on 11/12/2013 - 07:56

    Lort Smith Animal Hospital.

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