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Charities

(named "Bridge Charities" in my original design)

Locally, nationally, internationally
An information database
&   An "ADOPT a town" program

Information databases are the key

Similarly to many projects that the government tries to resolve, charities form to resolve. These bureaucracies and organizations offer valuable support for those who are faced with illness or other personal dilemmas. How are these organizations doing their tasks? What tasks ARE they doing? At this time, I am unaware of a service that tracks the work done by these groups.

We need an official resource to track these charities and organizations... their services... how effective they are... and to serve as a reliable Better Business Bureau for them. These groups would have ratings-- on how well they are serving their purpose. With this resource, a person could find the charity that serves his/her needs -- or find the group to whom they can contribute money or services.

We need to see the working model of these groups, and how efficient that model is. And we need access to these organizations. For instance... families of wounded soldiers might have a mother organization from which they could form a local group. Models of success can be duplicated and given assistance.

The known needs of every country in the world should be tallied and registered in the database. If there are needs not being met by an organization, these could be discovered and someone wishing to start a group might use this information to work from. The database would include proposals to start a program-- and list people looking for a team to begin work. Requests to form an organization could be listed, as well... to appeal to the community about particular needs -- both temporary or long termed needs.

As an addition to this database, there should be a template on how to start a working group. This would include the research phase through to logistics and long term planning. There are hurdles and resources to every project-- the template can address how to handle these. And every project should be open to examination by the public.

Any "person needing assistance" listed with the Department of Human Services, such as... retired persons... homeless... handicapped... sick... veterans... and others... would have a DHS ID number. That person would be considered an official "charity." Any donations given to such a person would be considered a "deductible" expense on a tax form or other pertinent form... the same as if it were given to an organization.

Whenever an individual, a business, or an organization wished to help someone, an inquiry would be made to a clerk at the central database to verify the person's actual state of need-- then to register the donation given to that person. It would be done in real time-- with the assisted person entering their pin number as verification.

No private information would need to be released... only that a person is indeed in need of a particular type of assistance. This would prevent the abuse of charitable work (such as being given a car every day). And this would provide innumerable resources for those who are in need. Everything from food... to cars... to dental work... to surgery... to funeral expenses could be given and listed as a deductible business expense or a personal charitable donation.

The website could list urgent needs in the community, as well. If a family has lost their home... if a handicapped veteran needs a special vehicle... if a person needs an expensive operation... the site would work as a clearinghouse for those special needs. Owners of vacant properties could rent that property to a needy family at a cut rate. Plumbers could donate help to the impoverished elderly... families could help with eyeglasses... neighbors could mow lawns... parents could babysit... mechanics could fix cars... all listed as a charitable donation using the DHS ID number.

Doctors and other service providers could pledge to serve one needy person a month... one procedure... one dental patient... one piece of medical equipment. Restaurants could issue free meal cards to needy people or could package or freeze their leftover food... to be picked up by food banks or Meals on Wheels.

And food banks should work with grocers... who could donate "less than best quality" goods... food nearly out of date... discontinued products. It would be the responsibility of the food bank to prevent truly inedible food from being distributed... only working with trusted grocers when accepting perishable foods.

With some organization and effort... much of the needs of our communities could find ways of being resolved. Although there are those who CANNOT make it without help... there are those who COULD make it... if only they could get their heads above water. We don't need massive bureaucracies to give just a little bit of help in a timely manner to someone in need.

Adopt A City

Many cities in the United States have sister cities in various countries. I am not sure what purpose this serves... I do KNOW that it is NOT a mutual aid society, where one city helps another. It has more to do with commerce and friendship building, I believe.

The concept of adopting towns and cities around the world by a city in another part of the world can be a very workable idea. Dallas could adopt a city of its equivalent size-- perhaps in India-- and partnerships would form to give any form of assistance needed. If the need is for medical treatments, doctors from Dallas could volunteer that service. In fact, the "adoption" program would gather volunteers to have a working list of services available. This way, without a great hardship-- the needs of people everywhere can begin to get help.

Imagine a school in Dallas having a book drive for a school in India. It would be a joy for everyone involved-- and solve a problem in the doing.

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