There’s a distinction between the term “charities” and  “non-profits” even though here in the U.S, we use the two interchangeably.

From Wikipedia:

• A nonprofit organization (abbreviated as NPO, also known as a not-for-profit organization) is an organization that does not distribute its surplus funds to owners or shareholders, but instead uses them to help pursue its goals.

• A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization (NPO). The term is relatively general and can technically refer to a public charity (also called “charitable foundation,” “public foundation” or simply “foundation”) or a private foundation. It differs from other types of NPOs in that its focus is centered around goals of a general philanthropic nature (e.g. charitable, educational, religious, or other activities serving the public interest or common good).

While there are many nonprofit organizations (and many types) their activities merit a second look because the definition can be very broad.  Charities on the other hand are specific to social good.

Below is a comparison between non-profit and charities’ activities during times of crisis:

“The first two arrows point to the 2004 tsunami and Hurricane Katrina disasters. The other arrows point to the seasonal peaks in giving every year…there is a…stark comparison between the two terms during times of disaster.  The lesson is: Yes, you are a nonprofit but use the word charity if you’re the kind of nonprofit that is sought after during disasters.”

Although there are many good non-profits, charities may be the shinning example of selfless acts.

Remember, change or social good starts with individuals not organizations.

For the second part of LATISM’s 3 Kings Day event, the networked reached 109% of a $1,000 goal.  LATISM pulled together through it’s organic network and talent along w/  BeingLatino to raise funds for UNICEF to distribute funds to Latin American children. The majority of the event happened online via a ‘TwitterParty’ in the span of 2 hours. v

The event still continues until the 4th, so if you want to still contribute you can do so by following the link.

To follow the event as it transpired, search the hashtag #latismtoydrive on twitter.

A huge thank you to @ergeekgoddess, @lancerios and all those who made it happen.

UPDATE 01/06/10 20:54 : The drive ended @ $1,362.  That’s a great stride given the small window of time we were working with.

In an error of Change, where people are once again thinking globally, here’s your chance to give back, now and always – once you start to care, you will never stop caring.

I truly believe that the world will change with the power of non-profit organizations, and humanitarianism.

So, If you’re a blogger, Latino/a (Hispanic/Xicano/Cuban/Boriqua/Taino…human and care about children), then post this widget (hit copy), on your blog or social media site (customizable here).

If you don’t do social media, then just give.

Latinos in Social Media and Being Latino presents:

Our 1ST ANNUAL THREE-KINGS DAY ONLINE TOY DRIVE & FUNDRAISER to benefit The Children’s Aid Society’s Latino Outreach Initiative
[http://www.childrensaidsociety.org] and the United Nations Children’s
Fund [UNICEF] [UNICEF: http://www.unicef.org/]

January 6th, the traditional day for gift-giving in Latin American tradition, to bring joy to disadvantaged Latino children in the US and Latin America.

The Toy Drive & Fundraiser will have two levels:

1st Level: Thanks to generous donations from our sponsors Time To Play,
Ingenio and Discovery Toys we will be donating new unwrapped bilingual Educational toys to the Latino Outreach Center of the Children’s Aid Society, located in Washington Heights, New York City. The toys will be distributed to poor Latino children in the area.

2nd Level: We will be collecting donations from our growing online
networks. This monetary donation will benefit UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Fund, and be distributed through UNICEF to centers aiding disadvantaged children in Latin America.

LAUNCH DETAILS:
• WHAT: Live Twitter Party
• WHEN: December 30th 2009, 8pm – 10pm EST
• WHERE: Twitter (use hashtag #latismtoydrive or enter latismtoydrive in
TweetChat.com – you must have a Twitter account).

HOW YOU CAN HELP:
• Donate ONLINE through our Chipin/PayPal account (http://bit.ly/7B8yL0).
Donations accepted until January 3rd, 2010. Donations accepted until January 3rd, 2010.

• Make a toy donation by sending new, unwrapped toys to: The Children’s
Aid Society -105 East 22nd St. Please use codename: LATISMTOYDRIVE. Toy donations will be accepted until January 4th, 2010.

• Follow and Retweet our Toy Drive message using #latismtoydrive on Twitter

• Write about it on your blog

• Post up toydrive widgets on your blog (http://bit.ly/5urQXF) and social networks.

All Toy Drive, Donations totals and ceremony pictures will be posted on
our Latism.org and Being Latinos website on January 6, 2010.

We thanks our sponsors Time To Play, Ingenio and Discovery Toys for
their generous toy donations, and our social media community for their
support!!

These companies are amazing for their well thought out toys.

Disclaimer:  I have boxes full of these toys here at home for an upcoming toydrive (more on that later), that they are participating in.  I opened up the boxes to see what was inside and was amazed at the educational value of these products.