Through my employer I was given an opportunity to donate to United Way. I pledged a dollar from every paycheck last year and pledged the same this year. 11 months ago

I have always been a person who does for others. Others have been a main focus in my life for as long as I can remember.

Donating to Charity in one form or the other has always been a part of me since I decided to volunteer in medical centers, nursing homes, when I was a teen. From there I went to volunteering in school, at centers, gathering items of need for local places, for example to the childrens wing at hospitals, homeless shelters for teens, victims of disasters or those down on their luck.

Recently I have given to charities when my friends have done walk-a-thons etc. I have sponsored others, helped when people have tried to give to others and vote for friends to recieve free items.

But one day I was reading about a cause they were asking money for. A thought crossed my mind, “I dont know anyone with that issue”. I then went on to diffrent tasks, after a minute I started thinking about how I feel about myself.

I couldnt believe that just because I dont personally know someone with a certain illness or problem, that I disreguarded a charity. I felt very bad about it and it made me take a hard look at why I donate to the people and charities I have in the past. I always donated because it was a cause near or dear to my heart. But I didnt dontate just because their is a need. (and I dont count change I put in a tin can in a store or when I see adult or kids on the side of the road.)

I want to be better and I want to give if I can. I am planning on dedicating a full year of charity. Every month I will pick a charity that is not connected to me in anyway and donate to that charity.

I plan on 2013 being that year. 11 months ago