DoGood

Here are some worthy charities who are doing good for others- the charitable behaviors of Americans at the local, regional, and national level are central to our national story. One of the forms of “American exceptionalism” discovered by Alexis de Tocqueville on his mid 19th century tour of America uncovered the unique local agency and civic activity of American communities who acted independent of any form of central authority to solve problems for their communities and those in need. Doing something good for someone else without the expectation of a reciprocal act is one of the reasons a society functions, a form of social capital, often referred to as “generalized reciprocal trust.” Keep America working, find someone to help and get to work!

The Gary Sinise Foundation

Gary Sinise will forever be remembered as “Lieutenant Dan” from Forrest Gump, the fanciful story of one man’s lifetime of historical connections to the tumult and pain of America in the late 20th century. Rescued from his family destiny of fatal military heroism by the simplistic private Gump, Lieutenant Dan is redeemed and renewed, given a new lease on life. In real life, the actor became the rescuer, serving the troops, first as an entertainer with his band, “The Lieutenant Dan Band,” and then with his charitable work to bring as many troops “home” to a life of hope and stability.  A whole generation of veterans have experienced America’s longest global conflict, initiated in response to the terrorist attacks of 9/11. The costs of war are not borne equally, and this is particularly true in today’s all volunteer military.

In Abraham Lincoln’s second inaugural address on March 4, 1865, the president looked forward to a hopeful future for the nation, cognizant of the costs and challenges left to bring the nation together after the terrible war.  “With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation’s wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow and his orphan, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations.”

In response to the U.S. Civil War, death benefits to families as well as veteran service and disability pensions became significant political issues that drove Americans into associations to fight for payment of debt to those who paid the price to save the nation. Today, even with a modern military pension and disability system, there are significant gaps in covering the “legacy costs” of war which fall on a small percentage of Americans and their families. When a nation goes to war, these future costs are often significantly higher than politicians and policy advisers publicly estimate, even though teams of scholars and manpower planners provide them with a range of scenarios.  These costs include pensions and VA healthcare costs, but also broader societal damage, where trauma and injury increase issues in community mental health, homelessness, and crime.  Additionally, individuals dealing with combat stress, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and disabling injuries bear the full weight of their service to the nation. Organizations like The Gary Sinise Foundation step into this gap, continuing the American practice of association and charitable giving to “care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow and his orphan.”  I hope you will visit the Foundation page and consider making a donation to their cause!

St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital

The life’s work of an American celebrity family, St. Jude’s has touched the lives of so many people around the world with its dedication to provide free treatments to children regardless of race, religion, or ability to pay, giving hope and a future to tens of thousands of patients and families, while making breakthroughs in pediatric care and cancer treatments possible. Danny Thomas was an American entertainer, but more importantly, a committed human to the needs of others. Watch the inspirational video below, and please consider giving to this worthy cause!

Dak Prescott’s “Faith, Fight, Finish” Foundation

Dak Prescott, QB1 of the Dallas Cowboys, exemplifies the spirit of giving through his “Faith, Fight, Finish” Foundation, in honor of his mother, Peggy. His positive example of leadership, courage, and compassion for others are a testament to her legacy, and he continues the work through his varied forms of community outreach. Please consider visiting his site below to learn more and to give!