Each year, the federal government sends out its Combined Federal Campaign, which is the sole way to solicit donations from federal employees. They allow you to take payroll deductions out from each pay check. I am donating $20 each pay check, split between two charities.
DC Law Students in Court - I actually went up against a few of these students last year. The program is a year-long clinic course that has law students work on cases brought by people who can’t afford an attorney. They work in Landlord/Tenant, small claims, and criminal misdemeanors (where I was). I donated last year, as well.
Push America - This is a charity that was created, operated, run, and funded by members of my fraternity, Pi Kappa Phi. The charity raises money and awareness for people with disabilities. Specifically, Push America builds handicapped-accessible amenities for homes, parks, and camps. When I was in college, I spent two Spring Breaks working at camps, where I helped build a high ropes course, horizontal climbing wall, a playground, pathways, and some landscaping. We also spent some time with campers who would get to use these facilities when we finished. I drank no alcohol, got up at 6 am and was usually asleep before 11 and had a blast on Spring Break.
I chose both of these charities for a very specific reason. I like that both the volunteers and the recipients gain something from the experience. My donation, I feel, has double the impact. Both the law student and the client will benefit from my donation. The same is true for the 19 fraternity student and the 8 year-old girl with cerebal palsy. They both gain a lot from the same act.
