The material presented
here is not Al-Anon Conference Approved Literature. It is a method
to exchange
information, ideas, feelings, problems and solutions on a personal
level.
I need your help. It is not a crisis, but I am getting frustrated. This year, instead of "usual" gifts, I am giving donations in people's names. For those who are in my AA/Al Anon family, I was *trying* to donate directly to World Service Office, and am finding myself running into walls. I sigh and am like, ok, I'm not going to lose my mind yet, where there's a will, there's a way, and if it's God's will, nothing can stand in it's way. So the AA website has no direct donation link (alright, 7th tradition and all that) so I go to the grapevine--maybe by donating a grapevine in my loved one's name to a treatment center/prison/etcetera I can do it. No, no, not there either. Geez, I didn't know gift giving could be so complicated. Can someone help me out here? Funny as it sounds, I truly don't know about any sort of "other charity" that my recovery family might be interested in. For example, I know Marge is very involved in her church, but they don't have a direct donation website. I know my sponsor loves her job as a nurse, but her hospital doesn't have a donation link (I've never heard of a hospital NOT needing money). It occurs to me that I could put my desired donation in the basket the next time it passes, do it that way. And of course, the best gift for any sponsor or sponsor-ship friend is to see you working the program, growing and changing. If someone has some ideas, I'd love to hear them.
Tiger, Why not just buy the gift subscription for the recovery place or library or whatever and send them a notecard letting them know it is coming. Anyone can buy a subscription to the Forum or the Grapevine. You could also just buy some literature or books either used or through your literature center or this web site and send or hand deliver with a card saying it is a donation in honor of someone.
Just my thoughts.
In recovery,
__________________
~Jen~
"When you come to the edge of all you know you must believe in one of two things... there will be earth on which to stand or you will be given wings." ~Unknown
It'a a very sweet gesture. Perhaps you can contact the local recovery houses and see if you can donate items, such as books, clothing, etc. Sometimes you have to think outside the box. Some of these organizations actually have for profit status, so here in the states you have to be careful. But donations of clothing and books might be okay. I also know that there are recovery houses which do accept donations. I'll pm you with that info.
I made dog cookies again this year (much to Piper's dismay! ) and someone offered to buy some from me. I asked instead that they donate to one of the local shelters. They are always in need of cat food. I make the cookies as a tradition. Rather than baking for the humans, I do it for the animals. This year it has helped to keep me busy because it is the first Christmas without my beloved Tim. I'd rather they donate to the animals rather than to me. I don't expect them to, but when they offer I gladly ask them to do this instead. Thanks for being so generous. Love and blessings to you and your family. Happy Holidays!
Live strong, Karilynn & Piper Claus
__________________
It's your life. Take no prisoners. You will have it your way.
Some of these organizations actually have for profit status, so here in the states you have to be careful. But donations of clothing and books might be okay. I also know that there are recovery houses which do accept donations. I'll pm you with that info. 
) and someone offered to buy some from me. I asked instead that they donate to one of the local shelters. They are always in need of cat food. I make the cookies as a tradition. Rather than baking for the humans, I do it for the animals. This year it has helped to keep me busy because it is the first Christmas without my beloved Tim. I'd rather they donate to the animals rather than to me. I don't expect them to, but when they offer I gladly ask them to do this instead. Thanks for being so generous. Love and blessings to you and your family. Happy Holidays!