When you’ve got the urge (and means) to give back a little, the internet is a good place to start researching good causes, and what you can do to lend a hand. ‘Course the internet is a good place to start researching any organization, event or topic. I don’t even talk to a rep until I’ve Googled him and his company and checked them at the Better Business Bureau website... http://www.bbb.org

It’s sad, but that’s what you have to do before giving your hard-earned money to a charity. Another way to protect yourself from getting scammed is never respond to unsolicited email. Seriously. Don’t do it. If email about some product or charity catches your eye, get on the internet, research, find a phone number, and approach them on your terms.

There is something free and easy you can do on the internet to make the world a better place. Change your homepage to one of the charities at the hunger-site. Then every time you get on the internet, click to have their advertisers pay for food and critical services, around the world. http://www.thehungersite.com/

To change your homepage with Internet Explorer, navigate to the hunger-site page you want to support, hit Tools | Internet Options, and then click Use current on the General tab.

And check out the shops at that website! Christmas (or something like it) is coming, and they have great deals there, on cool, handmade stuff, and your purchases can make a world of difference to a struggling family, ‘cause the charity has cut out the middleman.