by Ted Sherman

Created on: January 30, 2008   Last Updated: March 31, 2009

And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. 1 Corinthians 13.13

There's no such person as one who has it all. No matter how much we accumulate in material possessions, each of us needs constant infusions of spiritual wealth, and we need it just about every day. You can provide a very valuable gift of intangible wealth to someone who already has everything else in life, just by donating money to a charity in that person's name.

It can be something as simple as $5 to buy one lunch for a homeless person in a downtown shelter who'd otherwise go hungry, or go onward and upward to establishing $1 million to establish a chair in the giftee's name at a university. It is a quick and easy task to donate money in your giftee's name to a local school, college, church, fraternal organization or any other charity you believe appropriate.

As you're considering your gift, you may want to check with local organizations first to find out what is most needed at the moment, such as books, computers, sports equipment, building repairs, scholarships and other necessities. Along with your gift, you may also offer to pay for a wall plaque or other permanent name display in your giftee's honor.

I've listed below, in alphabetical order, just a very few of the organizations and charities where I believe your donation to honor your giftee would be very much appreciated and put to good use:

American Friends Service Committee: The Quakers, who were anti-war for centuries before it became hip and fashionable, continue doing good deeds worldwide. The organization provides material support, training programs, legal representation, economic development and peace efforts. In addition to accepting donations, they sell books, clothing, videos, children's items and much, much more. Check em out, friend.

The American Red Cross finally climbed down off its high horse and is now connected with what were rival international aid services, the Jewish organization, Magen David Adom, and the Muslim equivalent, Red Crescent. All are now cooperating with each other, at least as much as they can without being caught up in the indiscriminate killing in the Middle East and Africa. However, as the news headlines too often tell us, some of their valiant volunteers have died at the hands of terrorists.

Probably the best known charitable organization in the world, the Red Cross provides emergency response to natural and man-made disasters, whole and preserved blood supplies,

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