2006 is nearing an end, and it's time to take stock of the past year . . .

A few years ago, I started making an effort to donate to charities and causes I support, but became quickly discouraged when any donation brought an avalance of solicitations to my door. This year, I have basically thrown out all the solicitations I receive by mail, and instead have kept a list of groups that I support, and have made an effort to donate some small amount every month to at least one of the groups. The recipients are generally groups that benefit animals and the environment. I give to the ALS Association every year in memory of my uncle who suffered from this horrible disease. I also lost a friend to breast cancer this year. The groups that have received donations from me so far this year are:

• Natural Resources Defense Council
• Defenders of Wildlife
• American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
• Friends of Calakmul
• Seal Beach Animal Care Center
• the LA SPCA
• the Orange County SPCA
• Sierra Club
• the Environmental Defense Fund
• Animal Friends of the Valleys
• Susan G. Komen Foundation
• the ALS Association
• the Avon Breast Cancer Foundation
• AIDS Walk LA
• the World Society for the Protection of Animals
• the National Wildlife Federation
• the Marine Mammal Center
• the Humane Society

Does anyone have any particular charities they support?

In past years, I have also participated in charitable walks to raise money, but have neglected to do so this year. In 2007, I hope to find a way to donate my time and effort, instead of just writing a check . . .