As the holiday season rolls around, many shoppers are trying to find the perfect gifts. The hustle and bustle of city malls and small-town shops become packed as the date gets closer to the end of December. The familiar sounds of bells and cashiers remind most of the stress of the holiday season. Shoppers are often asked, “Would you like to donate to a charity?” For most, the holidays are the easiest time to donate to charities, but the question remains: which company should I support this holiday season? 

When choosing a charity to donate to, the Salvation Army comes to mind. The Salvation Army is a company that has been raising money ever since 1865. It is faith-based and actively involved with the army. They are one of the more popular charities due to their characteristic ringing bell and red kettle outside of grocery stores and shops. However, even though the Salvation Army has helped many, their record is not as squeaky clean as one may think. The Salvation Army has had a long history of homophobia within its company alignment. The organization has historically struggled and negatively impacted businesses. They have also been called out by multiple members of the LGBT community for their support and donations to anti-LGBT causes.

In 2012, spokesperson George Hood stated, “A relationship between same-sex individuals is a personal choice that people have the right to make.” George also went on to say, “But from a church viewpoint, we see that going against the will of God.” There have also been multiple statements from people who were refused shelter and assistance because of their sexuality. Due to the companies’ alignment with the church and its strict Christian morals, they have struggled to change their name and stop the acts of homophobia within their organization. The company did fire Hood after this statement, but this was one of the many acts of homophobia that continued with their tainted reputation. It’s best to not give the Salvation Army your money this holiday season. 

Another organization that has gained a rise in popularity is the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The Make-A-Wish Foundation has been helping the community since the 1980s. The main goal of Make-A-Wish is to allow children who are suffering from illnesses to bring their dreams to life. To better understand the background behind this organization, Katie Ferrell, Director of Marketing & Communications at Make-A-Wish, willingly answered questions.

When asked about how donors can ensure their money is going to a reliable place, Katie said, “In a typical year, 75 cents of every dollar goes directly to granting wishes. Due to the pandemic, we weren’t able to grant as many wishes over the past year (because hundreds of air-travel/Disney wishes had to be put on hold), but we still granted 540 wishes in the fiscal year of 2021, the most of any chapter in the country. And, with news of the vaccine expansion for age groups 5-11, we’re preparing to grant wishes at a record pace going into 2022.” 

Katie also explained how someone can nominate another child by saying, “Our mission is to create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. Children ages 2 ½ to 18-years-old with a critical illness are eligible for a wish. They/their family can refer to themselves for a wish, as well as medical providers, social workers, etc. We confirm with the child’s medical team that their illness qualifies for a wish, and then we start the wish-granting process.”

Lastly, when Katie was asked about how others could give back besides giving money this holiday season, she said, “People can sign up to become wish-granting volunteers, start a fundraiser at work/school/church, etc., include Make-A-Wish in their will, host a gift-card drive, donate air miles, participate in a Make-A-Wish event like a gala, or sponsor an event.” Make-A-Wish is making a difference in the lives of many children, and it’s safe to say that during this holiday season, you can ensure your money is going towards a good cause. 

Charities go a lot farther than just cancer centers or shelters. They can help with any cause you can think of. When deciding where your money is going, it’s important to look into all aspects of the situation. A charity that has a bad reputation is the Cancer Fund of America, which is guilty of using its donations towards its marketing and going to other places besides the people who need them. In 2015, they were even involved in a huge lawsuit that claimed the entire company had scammed consumers out of 187 million dollars.

As important as it is to research the singular charity, it is also important to do a background search of the company that owns the charity branches. They can be just as problematic. However, not all are bad. Most charities abide by their mission to give back to those in need. Some of the trustworthy charities are the NAACP Legal Defense & Educational Fund, the Trevor Project, United We Dream, The Hunger Project, and GoFundMe. 

It’s important to note that the holiday season isn’t a joyful time for everyone. The holidays can be a difficult or even somber time for many, and it’s important to lend a helping hand to communities in need. A person’s money and time can make a huge difference to those who need it most.