Supporting Great Charities and Animal Rescue!

The topic of charities and charitable giving came up on Facebook today, and one of my dear friends, Dana Delamar, posted a link to Charity Navigator, where you can find out information about the charities you support, especially how much of their funds actually go to supporting their programs, versus administrative costs and the salaries of their top dogs.

I decided it was a good time to reevaluate the charities I list on my Charities Page here on the blog, and maybe add one or two in areas I'm passionate about who are doing a good job of putting most of their funds toward their programs. I hope you'll check them out and maybe give a little something, if you're able.

One of my new ones is Pasodo's Safe Haven, an animal rescue outside of Seattle. After reading their story, it was clear their mission closely aligns with my own when it comes to animal rescue, rehabilitation, sanctuary, and advocacy, so I was happy to donate to their great cause!

Another new one is The NOAH Center, a no kill shelter here in Washington state that focuses on rescuing adoptable pets who have run out of time at traditional shelters and finding them suitable homes.

The Snow Leopard Trust is an international organization working primarily in five of the twelve countries where snow leopards are found (China, India, the Kyrgyz Republic, Mongolia, and Pakistan) to protect the endangered snow leopard. I definitely want to help save these gorgeous animals!

One of my favorite places to visit in California is the Monterey Bay Aquarium, and I love their conservation efforts. They're making a real difference for marine animals while providing an enjoyable and educational venue for people to learn more about protecting our oceans and marine life.

Lastly, a HUGE cause for me is eliminating "distracted driving." So many car accidents are avoidable! All we have to do is put down our phones, burgers, mascara wands, newspapers (yes, I've seen it! Driving while reading the newspaper... really???) This is also a recurring theme in my new series, High Desert Hearts, beginning with Snow Angel, and is loosely based on the terrible loss of several friends in high school. I created my own charity in the books, pFeddUp (Partnership For Eliminating Distracted Driving), but in real life, the National Road Safety Foundation works toward a similar cause:

"The National Road Safety Foundation, Inc. is dedicated to reducing crashes, death and disability on our nation's highways by promoting safe driving habits through greater public awareness. NRSF produces documentaries, educational programs and public service campaigns for broadcast and use in safety, educational and enforcement programs. NRSF offers its productions free of charge. Over one million copies of the Foundation's films and public service campaigns have been distributed to educational, enforcement, judicial, traffic safety, health, substance abuse prevention, youth and grass roots related agencies, as well as to corporations, the armed forces, federal, state and local government agencies."

Be sure to check out the other great charities listed on the page, or find another one that calls to your heart and help support their efforts! Even a $5 donation can make an enormous difference. Thank you!