Does charity begin at home?

I like to donate money to worthy causes.
Especially causes that mean something to me. I have donated to a few of the Cancer societies, especially the Lymphoma one, since that's what my Dad survived. And, Breast Cancer, because it affects every woman. We all know someone who has had it. St. Jude's? The childrens cancer center in Tennessee? Of course. They are leading the research of cancer cures.
I have other causes I consider "worthy", as well. This weekend, at the Renaissance Faire, I donated some money to the organization that rescues the horses they use for the joust. Percheron's. Great big, handsome horses. They are beautiful. And all of them are rescued. The group calls themselved "The Knights of Avalon". I have more fun watching the horses than the Knights. I donate to charities that try to prevent drug abuse, charities that do things for children, ect. ect. I'll donate to almost anything. Not large amounts of cash, but what I can afford, at that time.
Anyhow. One of my points today, is this.
When I donate. I don't expect anything back from the charity. I also expect NOT to be stalked. And lately? Stalked.
I made the mistake of donating to the Policeman's fund, once. "For the families of killed in action policemen" they tell me. I like to support those kind of things, especially when they're local. But they call me, ALL THE TIME now. I am not going to be giving them money weekly, and really, it makes me angry to get called all the time. It makes me NOT want to donate to them anymore. And I've told them that. Next time I am going to find a way to do it anonymously.
And, address labels. I have SO MANY address labels. I have no hope of using them all. I'd have to put two on every piece of mail I sent out for two years to get rid of them all. They are cute and all, but seriously? Stop. And, don't those cost money? Are you spending the money I donated to you for address labels to stalk other people with? It makes me not want to donate to you. . .
Habitat for Humanity stalked me for a few years. I donated to them, and even thought it would be fun to donate some hours to building a local house. If I hear of one, I still may do so. But I am going to do it under an assumed name so that I don't get 10 years worth of address labels, and letters from Jimmy Carter. Maybe I'll use my Pirate Name, Dirty Grace Kidd. They should like that. . .
One group I've never donated to are the people who advertise on television with all the emaciated, fly encrusted starving children in the other countries. They are seriously trying to manipulate us. That's their job, to manipulate us. But how much money do they spend on those LONG commercials? And, what about the starving children in the United States that have nothing and want to go to school? We all know our own country has the problem as well, right? Is it better to be starving in a country that's not a third world country? A hungry child is a hungry child, and I will find a way to feed the ones around me first, every time. Sorry.
One of my friends showed me a website the other day called Heifer International. You can actually donate money and buy farm animals for people. I have to admit, it's kind of cool. Because your giving them a tool to make their lives better.
I worry, though. If I buy a farm animal for someone, what am I going to get in the mail after that?. . .