Philanthropy is about people. Make sure that you have defined the specific people to be helped by your project. People want to help other people. It is as simple as that. Nobody wants to contribute to a poorly framed project that says “Let’s save the world’s poor.” What does it mean? Who are they? The problem seems overwhelming and unsolvable.

One of the most powerful things we can do in our philanthropy is to give others a chance to participate. Help other people to help other people! The change that will come into their hearts as they contribute in meaningful ways is one of the most important things you can do to save the planet! The key here is to make their opportunity to help as direct and personal as possible.

When we organized our event to take the children to Disneyland, we invited each donor to come to Disneyland with us and to spend the day with the child they sponsored. Every year, we now have 350 adults who come to help 350 children. Some of these adults have started similar programs in different regions. Our philanthropy is multiplying because we make sure that many people get a chance to participate in the gift of giving. One of the most powerful things we can do as philanthropists—and if you have read this far, I know you are one—is to give the go sign to important and urgent projects.

When the 2004 tsunami hit Indonesia, Thailand, India, and several island nations in the Indian Ocean, we immediately dispatched an emergency paramedic team to India. We told them, “Get on the plane; we are sending you the money right now!” Then we went out to ask for donations. We keep an emergency fund set aside for just such occasions. We then take targeted donations to replenish the fund so we can help out the next time around. We raised so much money for the medical team that we ended up buying two fishing boats to help restore the local economy as well. People will absolutely open their pocketbooks if you have a well-framed project that helps real people and if you have already given the go sign!

Tags : Fishing Boats, Philanthropists, Philanthropy

We often think of camping trips as being relatively inexpensive but there’s no doubt that campsite fees have been increasing in recent years. The cost of camping trips is an interesting subject, with prices varying considerably. Some people have reported that they’ve saved up to 75% of the cost of a campsite simply by driving for a few miles to find a cheaper alternative. If you want to get the best deals then how should you go about it? The first thing to say is that cheap sites needn’t be of a poor quality – there are plenty of bargains to be found if you’re prepared to look hard enough. Fortunately, the internet can provide a great starting point.

You’ll find that an increasing number of campsites have an online presence. These websites can provide a useful starting point. They help you to identify site locations and may also give an overview of the type of facilities on offer. The most useful websites are likely to be of a completely different variety. These will be those where previous visitors review campsites and give you an honest view of their pros and cons. Such information can be really useful when it comes to find cheaper sites that offer a decent standard of facilities.

What other ways are there to find the real bargains? Word of mouth can be really important. Few opinions are likely to be more useful than those of people that you already know and trust. Ask family and friends about their camping experiences – are there any locations that they would be prepared to recommend. Finding the best deals is all about gathering as much information as possible. By putting yourself in a position where you have the maximum available knowledge, you’ll have a much better chance of making a sensible, informed decision. There are plenty of great cheap campsites around. There’s absolutely no reason why you can’t take advantage of one.

Tags : Camping Experiences, Camping Trips, Campsites