Charity, Cheaply: Part III, Comfort and Joy

Part I can be found here. Part II can be found here.

Many people have taken a serious hit in the stock market. Others have lost their jobs. Most of us are doing some serious budgeting for the worst-case scenario.

But can you spare a stamp and a letter that takes less than an 20 minutes to write?

Consider Make A Child Smile. It's a very simple idea: send a cheery card to a child with a chronic or terminal illness. Please do be sure to read MAC's FAQs, paying particular attention to the "dos and dont's" before mailing off a card and their prohibition against forwarding these addresses to friends. A few minutes spent jotting down an amusing story, etc. can, well, Make a Child Smile.

I really enjoy writing to these children! At the end of a long day, recounting an amusing story is always refreshing and relaxing. Some of these anecdotes are baddog-related, and I have no shortage of funny pictures of the "kids." Or, if the profile indicates that the child enjoys cooking or baking, I'll include a picture and recipe of an easy-to-make snack. A joke concludes the letter. Browse the library or Internet for child-friendly jokes. Try here, here, or here. As MAC specifically instructs, do not tell the child the "get well soon" or include specific religious references - many of these children will never "get well" and the families practice a diverse variety of faiths.

There is certainly no need to send a gift, but I occasionally enclose a small item if I think the child will enjoy it. No food items, as per MAC's rules. More than one child has professed a fondness for lip gloss, so I'll tuck in a particularly yummy flavor. Some ideas come from my mother's adventures with cancer earlier this year. When my mother was in chemotherapy and radiation, I made sure to keep her stocked with plenty of super-moisturizing body treats as radiation can dry out the skin. I also sent her some ginger candies to help with nausea and to give her some flavor, as she was forbidden to eat. Finally, because my mother was in lots of pain and unable to sit or lie down for more than a few minutes at a time due to the location of the cancer, I gave her several puzzles, which can not only be completed while standing, but abandoned and revisted as appointments and illness dictates. Simple, inexpensive treats - but they can bring lots of joy and comfort to someone!

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Tip/trick/lesson of the day: Please, please, please do remember to clear the ice and snow from the roof of your car before driving! A chunk of ice that flies from your roof can kill the person behind you. Even if the snow looks light and powdery, there can be a dangerous layer of ice hiding underneath. Also, free coffee.