United Way time again!

This year, I was more specific with my contributions.  In addition to the regulars:  Habitat for Humanity, Planned Parenthood and the Wheelchair Recycling folks, I added Wisconsin Women's Health Foundation, Second Harvest Foodbank, and was delighted to find Be the Match (the bone marrow registry).  I don't know how I missed them before - maybe they're new, or maybe I hadn't looked in awhile because I haven't specified more than 3 organizations before.

I also love that my employer matches my contribution.  It makes it possible for me to direct more money to the campaigns I care about most, and to spread it around a bit further.  I couldn't contribute meaningfully to 6 orgs on my own.

The breakdown:  Food, Shelter, Mobility, Women's Health & Reproductive Rights, and something personal - Bone Marrow Donors.  All of these are near and dear to me, and I've directly benefitted from a couple of them.  50% Healthcare, 30% Home/shelter, 20% Mobility.  I'm breaking out Mobility for the first time because it's not totally healthcare, and it's not totally home, but it's also critical to a happy, healthy lifestyle.

It's a painless way to contribute and it feels good to do so.  And almost every organization I've named in the past has send a thank you card or newsletter at some point in the following year.  It's a nice reminder on a rainy day that I took 10 minutes to do a good thing.