Making a Difference
Dr. Rhonda Hackett
(Reviewer - Rebecca Brown)
2005 Outskirts Press
ISBN: 1598001108

Changing the World One Penny and One Minute at a Time.

In this post-9/11, post-Tsunami, post-Hurricane Katrina, post- Himalayan earthquake, are you in charity overload? Have you been burnt by writing a check to a fake charity? There are tens of thousands of legitimate charities at home -- especially the food banks in the Northern Hemisphere winter, & around the world in need of your donations in order to keep offering their much-needed services to the countless men, women, & children. So, how do you choose? & if you're on a fixed budget, how else can you donate besides money?

What Rhonda Hackett has written is a grassroots guide to personal philanthropy. About searching your local area to see where your charitable efforts can best be given, no matter your finances or how much time you have to volunteer. & she comes up with some neat stories of her own experiences in how her original idea of helping someone, blossomed into broader giving.

Back to writing those checks to charities. There are a number of things you need to be aware of prior to doing this, & just as we research companies with whom we intend to conduct business, we must do the same with charities. The first thing you need to find out? Is the charity legitimately registered?

This book will show you the ropes on this as well as show you how to make a difference:
 • in the lives of seniors
 • reaching out to the homeless
 • feeding the hungry
 • meeting the special needs of women & children
 • identifying the needs of low-income daycare centers & schools
 • giving back to your community
 • how to make a plan of your own to make a difference.

That having been writ: Dr. Rhonda Hackett starts out by telling the story of how her life suddenly changed & she set out to find what she really wanted to do with her time & resources.

Making a Difference will indeed make a difference in the way you practise your personal philanthropy.

I learnt quite a lot, & you will too!
(11/20/05)

Rebecca