ChiKat

Around tax-time, but husband and I figure out how and where we want to donate some of our money. NPR, PBS and the Red Cross usually make the list pretty easily. After that, we have our personal favorites.

Last year, I fell in love with the Search Dog Foundation, which trains dogs to help rescue workers find victims in emergency situations. After receiving my donation, they sent me a graduation picture of the 2006 search dog class, pretty much guaranteeing that I would love their organization forever.

My husband likes to donate to a local charity, so we don't feel as much liberal guilt when we don't give money to people asking for change on the streets. Last year, we donated to a local organization that provides housing, meals and social services to members of our community trying to exit homelessness.

I know! Don't we sound generous? And kind! We're such good people!

Yeah, then I got an invitation from that local charity, inviting me to an evening of cocktails and appetizers. The event would be organized, catered and run by the very people we helped.

I'm uncomfortable meeting new people. I smile and wave at my neighbors, but I'm not interested in a night of cocktails with strangers.

As I was throwing out the invitation, I said to my husband, "Why couldn't they just send a graduation picture like Search Dogs did?"

"Errr…did you just compare people trying to end homelessness to dogs?"

"No! Wait…did I? Crap!"

"Don't worry…I won't tell anyone what a terrible person you are."

"Dude. I'm TOTALLY putting this on my blog."