by Pa Rock
Citizen Journalist
As the first year of America under Trump wheezes to a close, it seems a good time to reflect on those whose lives became worse during the rush by the administration and Congress to trash health and safety regulations, rape the environment, give the military more than it wants, and transfer what remains of the country's wealth to the plutocracy. The "losers," as Trump likes to call those less fortunate than himself, lost bigly in 2017.
My email inbox has literally been stuffed with "urgent" requests for donations this week. Politicians and charities alike want to slip their hands into my pockets one last time before the end of the year. Charities, particularly those with a tax-deductible status, want me to know that there are only hours left in which to make a donation that could conceivably benefit me on this year's taxes.
During the year there are a dozen or so charities that I support, usually with a one-time, very small gift. I like the work of the Carter Center and Habitat for Humanity, and support both. The Southern Poverty Law Center also does good work that is directed toward meeting the needs of some of America's most vulnerable - as does the American Civil Liberties Union. I also respect and support the work of the Salvation Army and Planned Parenthood.
But there are three charities whose work has always tugged at my heartstrings and which I eagerly support, often with multiple donations throughout the year.
The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric Aids Foundation was founded by Elizabeth Glaser and a couple of her friends after her daughter, Ariel, succumbed to AIDS at the age of seven. Ms. Glaser became infected with the AIDS virus in 1981 through a blood transfusion she received at the time of Ariel's birth. She subsequently passed the virus on to her daughter, and later her son, through breast-feeding. Elizabeth Glaser died of AIDS in 1994, but her work continues, and much of the progress that has been made in the fight against juvenile AIDS has come about through the efforts of her organization.
The Ali Forney Center in New York City operates a homeless shelter for LGBTQ youth and does outreach work with that at-risk community. A large portion of our nation's homeless citizens are represented in the LGBTQ youth demographic - kids who have been driven from their homes by family who will not accept them for who they are. After learning about the Ali Forney Center and giving a benefit performance for them, the late actress Bea Arthur developed such a strong bond with the kids in need that she left a surprise gift of $300,000 for the Center in her will - money that was used to create a new residence center and expand the number of youth that the center can serve.
Doctors Without Borders literally goes where other relief agencies often fear to tread. When a natural disaster or humanitarian crisis strikes in any remote corner of the world, Doctors Without Borders usually has the first boots on the ground. I first began donating to Doctors Without Borders after its heroic response to the tsunami in southeast Asia in 2004, and have been contributing monthly ever since. Doctors Without Borders won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1999. Its work and reputation is stellar.
As the Trump administration and the GOP Congress systematically savage the nation's social safety net, it becomes more important than ever for private citizens to come forward and take up the slack. Trump can craft a government in his own greedy and uncaring image, but he cannot control the better impulses of the good people he once swore to serve. If Donald Trump and his hate-riddled followers will not stand up for people in need, then the rest of us must.
Find a worthwhile cause and support it - that will truly make America great again!
Citizen Journalist
As the first year of America under Trump wheezes to a close, it seems a good time to reflect on those whose lives became worse during the rush by the administration and Congress to trash health and safety regulations, rape the environment, give the military more than it wants, and transfer what remains of the country's wealth to the plutocracy. The "losers," as Trump likes to call those less fortunate than himself, lost bigly in 2017.
My email inbox has literally been stuffed with "urgent" requests for donations this week. Politicians and charities alike want to slip their hands into my pockets one last time before the end of the year. Charities, particularly those with a tax-deductible status, want me to know that there are only hours left in which to make a donation that could conceivably benefit me on this year's taxes.
During the year there are a dozen or so charities that I support, usually with a one-time, very small gift. I like the work of the Carter Center and Habitat for Humanity, and support both. The Southern Poverty Law Center also does good work that is directed toward meeting the needs of some of America's most vulnerable - as does the American Civil Liberties Union. I also respect and support the work of the Salvation Army and Planned Parenthood.
But there are three charities whose work has always tugged at my heartstrings and which I eagerly support, often with multiple donations throughout the year.
The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric Aids Foundation was founded by Elizabeth Glaser and a couple of her friends after her daughter, Ariel, succumbed to AIDS at the age of seven. Ms. Glaser became infected with the AIDS virus in 1981 through a blood transfusion she received at the time of Ariel's birth. She subsequently passed the virus on to her daughter, and later her son, through breast-feeding. Elizabeth Glaser died of AIDS in 1994, but her work continues, and much of the progress that has been made in the fight against juvenile AIDS has come about through the efforts of her organization.
The Ali Forney Center in New York City operates a homeless shelter for LGBTQ youth and does outreach work with that at-risk community. A large portion of our nation's homeless citizens are represented in the LGBTQ youth demographic - kids who have been driven from their homes by family who will not accept them for who they are. After learning about the Ali Forney Center and giving a benefit performance for them, the late actress Bea Arthur developed such a strong bond with the kids in need that she left a surprise gift of $300,000 for the Center in her will - money that was used to create a new residence center and expand the number of youth that the center can serve.
Doctors Without Borders literally goes where other relief agencies often fear to tread. When a natural disaster or humanitarian crisis strikes in any remote corner of the world, Doctors Without Borders usually has the first boots on the ground. I first began donating to Doctors Without Borders after its heroic response to the tsunami in southeast Asia in 2004, and have been contributing monthly ever since. Doctors Without Borders won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1999. Its work and reputation is stellar.
As the Trump administration and the GOP Congress systematically savage the nation's social safety net, it becomes more important than ever for private citizens to come forward and take up the slack. Trump can craft a government in his own greedy and uncaring image, but he cannot control the better impulses of the good people he once swore to serve. If Donald Trump and his hate-riddled followers will not stand up for people in need, then the rest of us must.
Find a worthwhile cause and support it - that will truly make America great again!
No comments:
Post a Comment