“Charity
begins at Home, and justice begins next door.”
~
Charles Dickens
While speaking to one of the respondents, I
said, “Someone somewhere will benefit from the little we donate today.” The
satisfaction that I have given a part of me towards something that will benefit
monetarily to somebody gives me immense pleasure. Half of my salary in real
life, goes towards charity. It does not matter that it is in Second Life.
The
other day, a small boy of just 18 years old who has just graduated high school
was wondering with his “thela” selling food. When I came to know of his
aspirations to get his MBA, I offered my help in coaching him for free.
Irrespective of what he makes, I make sure to
buy food from him every day. It may not be called charity. But this motivates
other people in my locality to buy food from him as well, increasing his sales
and his daily income. In Second Life, a group of Indians have formed a new team
called 4mE – Vents Out, team 93 help fundraiser for Relay For Life of Second
Life.
So, travelling through SL, I asked residents
if they trust charities in Second Life, if yes, which charities they trust and
why. Here are the opinions and responses of few of the residents.
Athena Rose Boom (Miss Royal Israel of ♔ Miss Royalty Organization):
Well I only trust two charities; one would be
Relay for Life and the other would be the Breast Cancer Awareness. I have been
a part of a charity event for Feed America which included the website to show
proof the money wasn't just going somewhere else. But Relay for Life and BCA
(Breast Cancer Awareness) would be my two top choices and I trust them because
I also take part in those charities in real life so I do donate in SL what
might be a dollar or five dollars, but I'm an active person in real life with
the charities. So I do know where the money is going and I love to meet new
people and to see their hearts to help others, to remember them and to
encourage the ones still with us. That's why I trust Relay for Life and BCA.
Christian Carlsson (Co-owner at The Torch
Entertainment Guide): Yes, I do trust two
charities, they are Survivors of Suicide, which I trust because I have seen
their work with psychiatric healthcare and suicide prevention and Relay For
Life, because their control is very strict and I have personally talked to
officials from American Cancer Society that confirmed the legality of the charity.
Moeko Tatekana (Owner of a yet to release
publication): As long as they are well-known and I can find out about them
independent of SL, then yes. I always
happily support charitable work within SL. The main one that springs to mind is
Relay for Life. However, there was an
event a while back for the charity SOPHIE - The Sophie Lancaster
Foundation. This is a charity that aims
to educate the public about those that perhaps are alternative, i.e. Goth,
punk, etc. It was established when Sophie
Lancaster was killed trying to defend her boyfriend who had been attacked for
looking different. Cancer charities are very close to my heart as my mother
died of ovarian cancer. So if I see
something supporting any kind of cancer research, I'm keen to support and LGBT
charities too.
Robert Galland (Owner of
Galland Homes): I've dealt
with quite a few events that have charitable goals, the largest probably having
been the Home and Garden Expo. I've been a premium sponsor of that event on
multiple occasions and have always trusted that the organizers had the right
intentions. Nothing has ever happened to shake my trust in those people or
others, like those who organize an SL presence for One billion rising as another
example. I believe there are a lot of trustworthy efforts out there and if
there's a few who act inappropriately, that doesn't affect my thoughts on
charity in SL at all.
Rose Uros (owner of Miss
Royalty Organization): That's a great question. It can be hard to know which to
trust. Charities I have trusted is #1 Relay for Life which is if not the
biggest charity in SL. Others are Models Giving Back, Rock your Rack, MVW
winner's charities (example: Fashion for Change). Wounded Warriors which is
done monthly by USA veterans and active duty in SL.
Trusting the people who run the charity helps make it easier for me to donate
big amount of linden. Great example is one done by Models Giving Back
(Toys for Tots) during Christmas. I saw none really donated in that big crowd
and that got me upset because #1 It's Christmas #2 Why isn't anyone wanting to
help children?.They had set it up like an auction but I didn't care for the
prize. I easily donated 5k. That's
something a big donator should look out for. When no one is really helping you
have to be the one to step up. In the end it's not about the prize or getting
15mins of fame. It's about helping real people in need. I personally don't know
of anyone that's done anything bad in name of charity. It's been all good since
2011 (noob days) for me. I hope to continue so with opening charities with my
organization. The people in the country my parents were born in live in
poverty. So, every Thanksgiving the community does this mega event to help
raise money. We raised $10 million and with that it helped them a lot in many
ways.
Ruby Ornamental (model
participant at Colors of Couture pageant): I trust Relay For Life of Second
Life. I trust fashion for change. It is new yet I trust on account of the
organization supporting it in SL.
Giving to charity whether it is in the real
world or in Second Life improves self- being and provides a sense of purpose in
life. Being on the receiving end of charity improves the quality of life for
those in need. No matter what end of charity you are on it reminds us all how
important a good deed is.
Posts
