If you ever feel wary of the donations you make, these websites Charity Watch and the Federal Trade Commission reveal how much the charity spends on direct aid and other services. They also comprise of released tax forms, reviews, and tips on what to put your money towards. A website specifically tackling the “breast cancer awareness” norm is Think Before You Pink; this organization urges you to ask the critical questions before falling under the pink ribbon propaganda.   Think of a donation as an investment. Before going all in, make sure you research so you can be fully confident that your investment is used to benefit you as well as the receiver.

Spending a fraction of any of your vacations, breaks, or weekends towards volunteering is a superb way of  impacting your community. They may be seemingly menial tasks, but you get the reassurance that your efforts are affecting individuals directly and not through a telemarketer. Volunteering opportunities can be found all around Stockton; it is on you to decide if it is worth it to help someone during your own time.

Dameron Hospital requires that the volunteer be 18 years old, take various screenings, as well as meet annual quotas. This program is fitted more towards committed individuals.

San Joaquin General Hospital offers volunteering opportunities such as greeting customers, gift shop sales, cuddling newborn babies, and assisting with overall hospital assignments.

American Cancer Society: Discovery Shop here in Stockton graciously accepts volunteers willing to help on inventory and overall management of the store.

Goodwill provides valuable career training skills in all branches of a non-profit organization.

Ask around! Look about! These are only a small number of the hundreds of organizations that are making strides in improving the community’s welfare.