ProgressOhio

Now is a good time to get your tax records in order. This task sure got easier once you could print cancelled checks online. Part of this exercise is adding up charitable donations.

No matter what the amount or your philanthropist inclination -- church, political causes, international relief agencies, whatever -- it's good to know where you stand. That way, you can reassess your charitable tithing for next year.

You probably gave up a good amount of cash to non-IRS-approved charities, such as door-to-door solicitors from who-knows-what. I've given small donations to political and environmental organizations that I thought were tax deductible, but later found out were not.

For tax purposes, you're not counting those crumpled bills in collection plates and kettles, cash tips to those in need, and duplicate Girl Scout cookies and Boy Scout popcorn purchases you made just because you wanted to be fair to the neighbors' kids.  I propose that these small acts of monetary kindness are a legitimate piece of your personal philanthropist pie.

So, too, are donations in kind to Goodwill and other organizations, and often these are tax-deductible as well. Here in Columbus, MAP Furniture Bank and Habitat for Humanity will pick up large items for free.

Certainly, volunteering time is a way to give back, though it's difficult to quantify. In my estimation, coaching Little League qualifies as charitable giving. So does watching out for old folks in your neighborhood.

For some of us, it's better to just give money. Years ago, I volunteered at a Habitat home building site in the Hilltop area. I was trying to move a wheelbarrow filled with gravel and I accidentally dumped it all over the sidewalk and spent the rest of my time there picking it up. Now I give them a small cash donation and they seem very appreciative.

My favorite local charities are Planned Parenthood of Central Ohio and Mid Ohio Foodbank. For Christmas, MOFB will mail paper Christmas ornaments to friends and family for $15 each.

Because I like cops, I've been donating $20 to the central Ohio Lodge #9 FOP every time they ask me. However, they ask me for a donation twice a year, as does the similar-sounding FOP Foundation of Ohio. Now Cops for Kids is starting to call me and it's getting a little unnerving. I'm the mother of two young men -- I hate it when cops call me.

This year I bought Christmas gifts from the World Vision catalog instead of junk my relatives don't want. I'm not crazy about faith-based international charities, but the catalog is such a thought-provoking piece about world poverty. Not only can you buy a goat for a needy African family, but also a share of a deep well that can serve a rural village for years or "hope" for sexually exploited girls.

I maintain my pledge to my long-time church even though I consider myself to be an atheist now and never attend services. I like what the church does for my community and its members, and I'm so glad they didn't get involved in politics this year.

I don't claim to know what's best for you. I'm just saying, it's a good time to evaluate your charitable giving now that the economy is so uncertain. Are you really giving of yourself the way you want to?