I know, I know, but maybe you want to do something new and different this year. I’m sure anyone who regularly supposts a charity, a foundation, a cause, has already gotten the emails, the mailings,the catalogues, the whatevers and probably you’ve already written the checks blah blah….showoff….oh oops!

But in case you’re still looking, may I add to your burden? Oh, thank you.

First off, if you can, check the incredible database at charitynavigator.org to see how efficient and effective your chosen charity is. It might not be listed. They constantly update the database but still, there are hundreds of thousands of non-profits out there and it’s work to do all the research. I have conflicts because at least one of my favorite charities does not rate well on this website. But it’s a great great resource – you can look by cause or you can search for something in your home state, you can look up a charity you just heard of or compare several that do that thing you like them to do.

One that I’m going with this year is Spread the Net. Stu and I heard of these folks last year on Canadian television's Rick Mercer Report. Rick does a show that skewers politicians, lets him rant about a subject, make silly photo montages and provide photo captions and that makes himself look silly as well. Last year, Mercer hosted a competition across Canada for this charity and thousands of schools competed for the honor of collecting the most money. What Spread the Net does is provide mosquito nets to protect against malaria. That’s it. Pretty damn simple. Basically, if you can give someone a mosquito net, this cuts way down on the chance that she or he will died from malaria. It’s that simple.

$10 (US) buys a net and saves a life. That’s it. The donation goes through UNiCEF Canada. Or you can go to Malarianomore.org which operates in the US. Most of us can come up with $10.

Or use the links above for “give free books” which will take you to "First Book” which provides books for children who have none. Or once there, you can go to the "child health" link which gives to Prosthetics Outreach Foundation.

I have huge issues with religious charities, even when they tell me they don’t proselytize. So I have a hard time recommending a lot of otherwise great non-profits. Because even after talking with the head of one of those who promised me there was no proselytizing or other sign of religious faith, I got an email from them full of Christian bible quotes.

I also can’t recommend charities that don’t hear “do NOT send me stuff”. I have this twitch that when I give someone $20 for charitable works, I do not want to be hit up 18 more times in a year for more donations. I say so every time I donate money – I put a note in the envelope, or add a note to the online form. And there they are again. And again. And again. Which is why a few otherwise great organizations have fallen off my list, and I note from some stuff on Charity Navigator that this isn't uncommon. But I still rely on hese guys to vet the charities. And I’m still giving, when possible, for those affected by Hurricane Katrina

You want to buy a thing that will reflect your taste and still do good? Easy! Go up above to “Give Free Books” o “Support breast cancer work” and after you click for free, go shopping. It’s so cool. I’ve found wonderful items here and have bought lots of stuff. Jewelry, scarves, baskets, and know that the money does get dispersed (I asked one of the charities once and the office manager confirmed that they did receive money through this simple, excellent program.) There’s a coupon there right now for $5 if you spend $25 and shipping’s only $4. Sometimes it’s less.

Last year, through Defenders of Wildlife, I “adopted” some animals and the recipients got little toy animals with a certificate. He wonderful folks at Squishables asked me to choose a charity for their monthly donation and I asked that they send money to the Tipitina’s Foundation. These folks have several programs, the main one works on getting musical instruments back in the New Orleans schools

In my neighborhood alone, there’s a coffee shop collecting pet food, and an apartment building that’s taking food donations. There’s a salon accepting “toys for tots” and a drugstore with a “giving tree”. The coffee shop also has posted that they accept donations for New Beginnings, and have the "wish list” that I got from the office, as that’s where I volunteer, and the office is a few blocks away. New Beginnings is a shelter for battered women and their children.

You care about something, I can find you the charity if you’re not sure what the best one is. Wanna give a goat to a family? Go to gardenharvest.org. Can't afford a goat? They got chickens! Thinking of cutting your hair? If you can give up 10 or more inches of hair, Locks of Love will take it – and I can find you a free haircut and style. I did it a few years ago.

Want to donate to a group helping those with gluten intolerance? I can steer you. How about helping bring entertainment into prisons, hospitals and nursing homes in California. Bread and Roses (breadandroses.org) is alive and well and it’s a great. organization. And they have some gorgeous stuff like pashmina shawls and these yummy pearl bracelets on sale that will benefit B&R right now. (ooooh, shiny!!!!)

Okay okay, I’ll stop. But wasn’t that fun? Tell me at least you didn’t know about the goat.