I looked up the word charity on Dictionary.com Here are two
of the many definitions they gave me.
1.generous actions or donations to aid the poor, ill, or
helpless: to devote one's life to charity.
2. something given to a person or persons in need; alms: She
asked for work, not charity.
Romance books and charity. I think they fit well together.
Authors have donated royalties to various organizations. Cancer, Cystic
Fibrosis, Salvation Army, Red Cross and don’t forget Brenda Novak's wonderful
auction to benefit Diabetes Research
During Hurricane Katrina my niece, who also happens to be my
godchild, was working at the Marriott in New Orleans. Her first job out of the Culinary
Institute of America. We were worried sick about her. Her parents, her sister
and her entire family. She emailed her sister as long as she could then they
lost power. Luckily management at the Marriott requested that anyone who did not
have family to go to come hunker down at the Marriott. Most of her family lived in and around Boston.
I am out here in Arizona. For 3-4 days we heard nothing. Then she called, she
said the Red Cross helped the get out afterward and they were in Texas. I
cried when her sister called to tell me.
Not long after that I had a book published. I gave half of all
the royalties to the Red Cross. This is a group I do not usually donate to but
they helped my niece get home so I wanted to do something in return.
My local RWA chapter
collects donations for our local food bank at each months meeting. One of our
members collects loose change every month and when her jar is full she cashes
it in and donates it to the food bank.
At Christmas time we do this in lieu of a gift exchange. We also donate
books to several local literacy groups and woman's shelters. In addition to
romances we try to include children's books, recipe books and other books of
every genre. After all every book gives us a potential reader AND we feel good
doing it.
You don’t have to be in a group to do this. Give your money,
no matter how small it is appreciated. You can also give of your time.
If you are not sure where to start, look in your local phone book or
check out the web sites I listed below. Remember charity begins at home.
