"Each year, instead of sending formal gifts to my clients, I contribute to worthwhile charitable organizations in their honor. In addition, I donate a portion of my seminar proceeds to charitable efforts around the world. (So, when you attend one of my seminars, you don't just get great speechwriting instruction. You're helping a wide range of people in some very practical ways.)
I like to be as creative as possible when making these donations. For example:
-A $500 contribution to Lions Club International supported their eyeglass program. (Lions Clubs collect much-needed used eyeglasses for distribution at centers around the world.)
-Soles4Souls sends gently-worn shoes to Haiti. A new pair of shoes gets distributed every 9 seconds, and donations are needed to cover shipping costs.
-Homeward Trails (based in the DC area) works to find adoptive homes for homeless dogs and cats throughout the Mid-Atlantic Region.
-A contribution to the Writers Emergency Assistant Program (administered by the American Society of Journalists and Authors) provides financial assistance to writers facing critical situations, such the loss of health insurance.
-$1000 bought a terrific collection of holiday films for a public library ... bringing enjoyment to thousands of borrowers.
-$1000 funded workbooks at a women's shelter ... allowing women to plan their 'next steps' to a safer life.
-When I sold CAN YOU SAY A FEW WORDS? to St. Martin's Press, I chose to contribute 50% of my advance royalties to libraries throughout the US.
-I especially enjoyed buying a collection of humorous books and movies for the children's department of a hospital ... giving kids (and their parents) some much-needed entertainment during recuperation.
-$500 allowed an elementary school library to purchase a new collection of books
-A $1000 donation to Heifer Project International educated a community in food production
-Especially satisfying? Providing 3 months of food for a YMCA 'moms and tots' program in Finland (photos below)."