By Sam Wroblewski 630wpro.com
Earlier this week, fans of the New England Patriots launched a Gofundme.com crowd sourcing page to raise $1 million to pay towards the team’s fine levied against them by the NFL over the Deflategate scandal. Contributors to the page say the donation is a protest to the league’s decision and have helped raise more than $15,000 so far.
While the page has been amended to accommodate giving the money to charity if it is not accepted by the Patriots, why give money to a middle man when you can find great causes locally? Here are some ideas:
1# Supporting Veterans
Many communities have different nonprofits and programs which help support combat troops returning home or adapting to civilian life. Whether it is helping vets find jobs or building “smart homes” for severely wounded soldiers. Over 1,000 donations of $15 can go a long way to helping someone who has given more for their country.
Consider donating to:
Operation Stand Down Rhode Island http://osdri.org/
Building for America’s Bravest https://ourbravest.org/
Wounded Warrior Project http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/
2# Cancer Research
Lung cancer is the leading cancer killer of men and women in the US. Combined with the other three major forms of cancer the American Cancer Society estimates 589,430 men and women of all ages will die in 2015.
Why not help raise $1 million for cancer research, or help a neighbor, friend, or stranger pay off the costs of medical treatment?
Consider donating to:
American Lung Association of New England http://www.lung.org/associations/charters/northeast/
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Rhode Island chapter http://www.lls.org/rhode-island
Colon Cancer Alliance of Rhode Island http://www.voicesofri.org/
3# Animal Shelters
According to statistics from the Humane Society of the United States, 2.7 million adoptable dogs and cats were euthanized between 2012 and 2013.
There are a number of no kill shelters and rescue operations in Rhode Island and across the country which would benefit greatly from small donations to keep potentially great pets out of the gas chamber.
Consider donating to:
East Greenwich Animal Protection League http://www.egapl.com/
The Potter League http://www.potterleague.org/
Providence Animal Rescue League http://www.parl.org/
4# Homeless shelters
According to The Rhode Island Coalition for the Homeless, 4,076 Rhode Islanders checked into a shelter for at least one night last year.
$15,000 from the Patriots Gofundme.com page would help pay the Family Center operating expenses at Crossroads RI for 15 days, or provide thousands of pairs of socks to keep feet warm during the winter.
Make a donation to Crossroads: http://www.crossroadsri.org
5# Fill in the blank
Do you know a charity more deserving of a million dollars than the Patriots? Post the charity in a comments section below and we will add them to our list.
Consider contributing to:
– The Institute for the Study and Practice of Nonviolence
