Charity

[RufusACanal]

Simple acts of kindness and charity help me focus on others instead of myself. Whether it is a few dollars in the jar for a local shelter or providing rides to meetings, each act helps me remember where I came from and that I have a responsibility to help others as I have the ability to do so. One does not have to be rich in order to help others and be charitable. Charity in any form is helping another which is a natural extension of a new life.

How do you provide charity in your community, your AA group or to your friends and family and how has your charity grown in relation to your recovery? Do you expect recognition for your acts? When does charity become an issue?

Thanks

[Astro]

Originally Posted by RufusACanal

One does not have to be rich in order to help others and be charitable. Charity in any form is helping another which is a natural extension of a new life.

So very true. I could easily rip through a hundred bucks every weekend on my addictions, so there's no reason why I can't put a fair amount towards AA and other charities.

Even though I'm a single parent in recovery and have two children to raise and feed, there's no reason why I can't put a couple bucks in the 7th Tradition basket, make a contribution for coffee, bring cookies to meetings, or help out in any way when possible.

I found myself with a fair amount of extra cash when I gave up drinking. It seemed only natural to pay it forward, and it's a small price to pay for the rich life I've received in recovery.

[tommyk]

I buy 12 Step Workbook Guides and give them free to newcomers who show hope.

I'm also giving a prepaid gas card to a program member that travels a lot to do service.

I want nothing in return.

[dgillz]

In strictly AA terms, it kills me to see people who used to routinely spend hundreds of dollars a month or even a week on drugs and booze, then get cleaned up, and they can only put a dollar in the 7th tradition basket!

I need to get over that but I haven't yet.

In non-AA terms, I need to do more, and am going to use this thread as my inspiration to do it.

[bballdad]

My sponsor told me yrs ago....Freely we have been given,freely we should give

it`s in giving that brings happiness,not taking...

[kelsh]

I used to buy cards the size of credit cards with the Serenity Prayer on them and give them away to new comers at the local meetings.

Now I try to share my experience, strength, & hope with others that are beginning their journey to find Sobriety.

kelsh

[NOMOMERLOTMAMMA]

I try to do something kind for someone each day, no matter how small. Happily, due to the job I have, this is pretty easy for me to do! When my mother passed away, I was amazed and proud to find folks coming up to me to tell me what my Mom had done for them, she even babysat a family of 4 boys a few times a week so that their Dad could visit their Mom who was in a psych ward. She never told anyone about this. Even through her struggles with acoholism, she managed to give to others.

Something to shoot for..

[lizw]

Great topic! I went to a charity hop once, it was held as part of an Al Anon camp. It sure was a fun way to learn about charity!

I've always given AA money, at meetings, and I've had a monthly payment from my bank account to our GSO bank account, running for a few years now. It's not a very large amount but has always acted as a reminded to me that I am in recovery, so it is like another tie to the fellowship. I suppose I could call it 'soberity insurance'.

It is also pretty good timing for me as me and my sponsor have been discussing how I can go do some service at my local womans shelter, since I only work part time. My sponsor is HUGE on the idea that I need to take my program out into the world, not just live it in and around AA.

In saying that I've always done service (given my time) in AA, you name it I've probably done it. For the 1st few years I was too scared not too.

However if I had to weigh up how much AA has given me compared to how much I've given AA, it would not be very balanced. AA would win hands down.

[Tazman53]

Do you expect recognition for your acts?

Nope.

[RufusACanal]

The anonymous act pays the most in dividends! How can you anonymously be more charitable to others?

[Astro]

I don't expect to be recognized and praised for monetary contributions, or acts of humble service. Cash can be given discreetly, acts of service can be performed when nobody's watching.

It's like that saying "do something nice for someone and don't get caught".

[RufusACanal]

Exactly Astro! This message is one I attempt to instill with my men; they probably get very tired of hearing it.

[gravity]

Very early in my sobriety and participation in the AA program, I was the recipient of a simple act of charity that meant so much to me.

At a meeting, I was explaining to the group that I was very nervous about a business trip that I was leaving on the next day. After the meeting, a member, in private, gave me a coin to take with me on my trip. The coin read:

"Recovery begins when one alcoholic talks to another alcoholic sharing experience, strength and hope."

I was very early in recovery and I used that coin as part of my meditation & prayers. It also made me feel more a part of AA, that I had support. It stays in my suitcase and goes with me on every trip I take.

This is just one example of how other members have helped me along the way.

Quite often, the little things help so much.

[CarolD]

When does charity become an issue?

When I give to a charity in December
then each month I get another appeal from them...

I've learned to donate anonymously.

[CarolD]

Me and my AA money...

I had an embarrassing lesson years ago.
I fussed at a new sponsee ..who could
afford whatever...as she repeatedly did not
add anything to our basket. I hurt her feelings.
....She was giving a large monthly check

Soooo....yes...I add my cash and
I keep my head down when the basket goes round.
I don't want to know who gives what.

On my AA anniversary...I give x dollars for each year
I also encourge sponsees to begin this gift of gratitude..

I do extra for special loved ones now dead.
My brother Stephen E's was in Dec.
Ann K's was in July.
More fitting than flowers on a grave.

I really do not consider my AA
cash gifts to be charitable giving.

[Tazman53]

Anonymous charity is true charity. I was a Dale Earnhardt fan and while he was alive never heard of him doing any thing of a charitable nature. After he passed one of his close friends was being interviewed about Dale, the man spoke of going on midnight rides with Earnhardt, he said they would be back in the boonies driving down a dirt road and Dale would kill the lights in the car and stop. He would tell him I will be right back and would take off running up the road with an envelope in his hand. When he got back his friend asked him "Dale, what were you doing?", Dale explained that the family was about to lose thier house because the husband had been injured and had no insurance and had been unable to work for almost a year, Dale said "Santa" decided he needed some cash to pay thier back house payments and had asked him to deliver it!!! The guy said Dale did this all the time.

I never knew old Iron Head had a heart that big!

[dgillz]

Originally Posted by CarolD

I really do not consider my AA cash gifts to be charitable giving.

Well, I know several people who deduct them on their taxes!

[tommyk]

I like the Dale Earnhardt example.

I give directly to the person/people I want to help.

Sadly, I feel that too much of what is donated to organized charities never makes it to the needy. Case in point: the head of the Red Cross receives an annual salary of (gasp) $500,000 and (gasp) a $65,000 signing bonus! Shoot me if you like but I'll be making NO donations toward that.

Give, give, give, and give generously, but know where your $$ are going.

[Tazman53]

My cousin worked for a consulting company for folks just like you Tommy. They researched different charities and reported back to thier clients how much of each dollar donated actually made it into the hands of those the charity was to help.

I do not recall the figures for the Red Cross, but they were HORRIBLE!!!!!

If you want to donate to a large charity with the top figure for you contribution helping folks, The Salvation Army is the one!!! If you donate a dollar to them, 93 cents of that dollar goes to those the Salvation Army helps.