Donate Something

“It’s almost Thanksgiving. Donate something.” That’s what a Star editorial staff member suggested as an idea for this page this week. So we took a short walk around the office, asking, “If you had $100 right now to give to charity, where would you send it?” Answers were easy to come by and showed a surprising range.

Given the Syrian refugee crisis, as well as the work of one of our contributing photographers in Greece, help for the migrants’ children was among the first things to spring to mind, as was support for getting medical supplies to where they are needed in Greece. Aid to groups helping children crossing the southern border of the United States also was mentioned. Other suggestions included Doctors Without Borders, school-construction efforts in Tibet, Amnesty International, potable water in developing countries, Alzheimer’s disease research, and marine mammal conservation.

Close to home, contributions were recommended to the Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons, the Retreat shelter for domestic violence victims and their families, the Group for the East End, Peconic Land Trust, Habitat for Humanity, East End Hospice, and any of the food pantries.

Given the relatively small sample of those who were at 153 Main Street at around lunchtime on Tuesday, the breadth of the list is notable. What can be gleaned is that because so many organizations are doing good work it might not matter to which you give. Our advice? Donate something to one you care about, but donate something.