Lots of people had searched for “charity + mom” to find my earlier post on Philanthropic Mother’s Day gifts, so here are some ideas for those of you searching for “charity + dad.”
Buying (Green or Organic) Stuff
You can find lots of sites online that sell organic, fair trade or otherwise socially responsible gifts. If Dad really, truly wants a tie or shirt (doubtful, but I acknowledge it’s possible), try Rawganique.com. For extra cool personalized letterhead order “Environmentally Responsible Office Supplies” from Blue Dolphin. Instead of listing all the other sites out there, let me point you to this truly comprehensive gift giving guide.
It’s true you can get paper cheaper, you can get shirts for less. But remember to buy quality products, not junk that will need to be replaced, and buy local for the most sustainable and responsible gift-giving.
The Gift of Giving
Lots of Dads are handy around the house, so a house-related gift makes sense. How about buying Dad a kitchen sink? Not for his house, but for someone at Habitat for Humanity? You can donate online and Habitat provides these examples:
$10 = Box of Nails
$35 = Roof Shingles
$50 = Low Flow Toilet
$75 = Window
$100 = Kitchen Sink
$150 = Front Door
$500 = Siding
$1000 = Wallboard
$2000 = Flooring
Got another kind of charity and want to know if they offer some giving option? Check out JustGive.org for a searchable database.
Honor Dad
My own father has been deeply involved with charities that serve low-income and homeless families and individuals. I think I’d like to do something with my family for father’s day that shows his influence and that would make him proud.
There is a local charity where I live (Fairfield, CT) called Operation Hope: “Helping those who are homeless, hungry or at-risk to achieve self-reliance and stability.” They publish a “wish list” on their web site of the things they really need at any given time. Right now, they need forks, cold cereal and bathroom accessories. And they always need shampoo and other toiletries.
So for Father’s Day, I’m taking my kids shopping for things that Operation Hope needs. Then we’re going to go deliver them and talk with the folks who run Operation Hope. I’ll take pictures of them along the way, since my Dad lives in Ohio and we won’t be together.
When we get back from visiting the food pantry/shelter, I’ll post the pictures on Ofoto, put captions that talk about how Dad inspired us to have compassion and help others, and send the album to my dad on Father’s Day. If I get this together soon enough, I could even order one of the pictures and send it to him framed. I bet that picture will get a special place.
Does your dad care about animals, about your hometown, about his faith? Perhaps he taught you something special when you were growing up–how to cook, how to fix your car, how to ride your bike or take care of your dog.
Can you find some expression of what your dad taught you? Some way to “pay it forward”? Or just to thank your dad for teaching you? I think showing our parents how they have influenced us to be good people is the best expression of gratitude and will bring them the greatest joy. Hallmark can’t match that.
