Goddammit, I wish I were independently wealthy!

[NightTrain]

If I were, I'd contact an aid agency and volunteer to go to Southeast Asia to help the tsunami victims in any way I could. I'd dig graves, I'd clear debris, I'd do whatever I was physically capable of doing to make things even a little bit easier for those people at this dark, dark time in their lives.

Unfortunately, I'm not independently wealthy. I have a job that requires my presence five days a week. Consequently, I can't volunteer to go to Asia to help the tsunami victims, and it frustrates the hell out of me!

I do, however, plan to give money to...well, somebody. Problem is, there are so many different organizations out there, I don't know who to send the money to! Any suggestions?

[kdmorris]

1. Doctors without Borders

Médecins Sans Frontières

Even if they are unable to use it in Asia right now, that's one gutsy organization. They send health care workers to places that most people avoid "cause they might get killed".

I knew things were REALLY bad in Afghanistan when they finally had to pull out.

[NightTrain]

2. I've been told they already got so many donations, they don't need more.

They've asked that people instead donate their money to other aid organizations.

[kdmorris]

3. Yes, I just saw that on the other thread.

Red Cross/Red Crescent would be my second choice.

[liberalhistorian]

4. I think the Red Cross is also getting

a lot of donations when there are plenty of other worthy organizations that need it as much. Check the links on the top of DU's home page, there are several there for aid organizations that are accepting donations for tsunami victims.

I know what you mean, Dean, it is indeed very frustrating, especially when you see so many people who do have money and who do have the freedom to do what they want not doing anything with it except pursuing their own gratification and self-indulgence (Paris Hilton, anyone?). But even doing a little thing like donating a small amount is doing something important, and it's certainly better than doing nothing.

[solinvictus]

5. If I were independently wealthy...

like Bill Gates wealthy, I'd be a James Bond villain.