Thank you so much, there aren't enough posts on this... or at least i cant find them. I am turning into such a blog nut, I just cant get enough and this is such an important topic... i'll be sure to write something about your site

Seeds in Ethiopia is my vote. I love Samaritan's Purse.

I vote for the USA and World Vision. Thanks for choosing organizations that are actively pursuing the Lord's work!

I vote for the water filtration! Thanks for donating to a good cause!

The water filtration project.

As someone who has seen the poverty right here in rural W. TN, I am voting for the World Vision. Our church helps with a feeding program in Fayette County, TN which, at one time, was the 2nd or 3rd poorest in the whole USA. Living conditions were horrendous and people were hungry and lacked basic ammenities. Few graduated from HS. Now, we have almost 100, from our small program alone, in college or post HS. Most of the dirt floor homes are gone - things are looking up. If we can help stamp our hunger here, think of all the good those well-fed people can do. It really is paying it forward when you "feed the hungry" and clothe the naked.

As much as I believe in helping our fellow Americans first, I would rather see a family in a third-world country have water that won't make them sick than to make sure someone in our country has enough shampoo and toothpaste. Even the poorest and most needy in America have so much more than most others in the world.
Thanks Jenny. You're the best!

The other thing is, so SOOO many people in Ethiopia don't eat veggies. They just eat this powdered meal made from false banana trees. My friend is a doctor there, and she says if people would just eat a bit of fruit or veggies even once a week, it would make such a huge difference in their lives. Also, most poor people there eat meat once a year, and only drink about a half a cup of water a day. Anything that can be done to help is wonderful.

Two of my kids are Ethiopian, and the kids and I spent a month in their rural area last summer, so my vote has to go there! Thanks, this is fun.

I vote to help a third world country this season. I imagine that with the economic hard times, there is less money available for people to donate to any cause this year.

My Vote is The Liberian Fish Pond.

I agree with helping our own during these hard times, there are many children right here in the USA that are going hungry everday. thanks for all the wonderful things you do for everyone Jenny. Your a blessing!!

I know this is not on your list, but the amount of $250 is the exact amount that it would take to fix a child's smile who has a cleft lip. I would rather make a profound lifetime difference for one person than a small impact for a few for a short time. Cleft repair helps with a child's eating, speaking and self-esteem.

Check out Smile Train
http://www.smiletrain.org/site/PageServer

Just my two cents worth. Sorry for my write-in. Congrats on your win.

Water Filtration.

Thank you for your support of these wonderful charities. My husband and I support these as well.

World Vision... We are so blessed in this country... even the poorest of us... Many missionaries in our church ,(since we are a missionary school, too..) so we see all of the squallor that people in India,and New Guinea and all over live in... America is the land of plenty.

I am voting for $3500 Worth of Necessities in the USA from World Vision.

My goodness ... as if this service you provide to all of us is not enough, you go way above and beyond to help others in even greater need than any of us here. I took the time to go and vote for you (feeling it was the absolute LEAST I could do in return for all of your help here). But then you took my tiny little attempt at kindness and have decided to turn it into a huge selfless act of goodness for people somewhere in the world who will probably never be able to thank you personally. Wow, truly, you are an amazing inspiration! I'm going to find a way to go out today and do some good for others, too. My heart is full. :)

world vision

I would say the seed and vegetables in ethiopia because seeds produce crops that keep giving...the seeds produce more seeds...and more seeds...and it never ends....

Water filtration thru Samaritan's Purse is my second choice.

I agree that although the US is in recession, we still have federal aid to help and some of these others their governments don't offer as much to them.

My family helps 1 other family each year. There are 21 of us and everyone gives time and gifts to this qualified family. Requirements are that the family must have had a tragedy (death, loss of job, fire,separation) in their life. We choose to help locally where our children can see the results.

I vote for the seed and vegetable garden in Ethopia. Anything Samaritan's Purse does I support! Having traveled to third world countries I feel like there are so many others in the world that need more help than we do. We are so blessed in this country with so many resources and opportunities that others do not have.
I really don't understand the mentality of helping "our own". People are people no matter where they live. I've experienced this same attitude from people regarding the adoption of my children (who were adopted internationally). My children needed and deserved the love of a family as much as the children in America.

I vote for water filtration. I'm all for helping the USA and know and personally feel the effects of our economic problems, but they are on such a drastically different scale from these third world regions.

Fish pond in Liberia. I think we need to lift our eyes beyond our small horizons. USA has many more resources than countries like Liberia. "Poverty" here is nowhere near "poverty" elsewhere. I have seen. Seeds for Ethiopia is my 2nd choice.

I told you I was anxious to see how you were going to put this money to good use but I thought it was going to show what kind of shopping bonanza you could do. Now I know I'm totally in Love with you, your inspiration and site because this is exactly what will make the most of your money! Bravo! I love all the ideas you've come up with but since I see friends, neighbors and family hurting here at home in our beautiful country, I too vote to stay local with your donation. I'm going to vote in the poll right now. What a blessing your donation is and its going to inspire others here as well I believe so it will grow to an even larger donation. God Bless and Merry, Merry Christmas! :D

My vote is World Vision. Although people are hurting here in the US, the US has resources that other counties don't come close to matching!

My vote is for the USA!

Wow- all very worthy causes, and it would be very hard to choose. Clearly there are people everywhere who need help, and I commend you for paying it forward and passing your blessings along to others!

How thoughtful of you! I vote for helping here in the USA (but all are worthy causes).

Jenny,

Thank you for allowing your friends here way in on your decision. I, too, agree taking care of families in the USA is the best way to help many struggling families.

$3500 Worth of Necessities in the USA has my vote.

I like the idea of the seed and vegetable gardens in Ethopia. I think that it not only supplies the need for food but also gives a sense of accomplishment. I also think that watching things grow reveals our Creator and speaks of His creations.

not sure where to vote on facebook...so i posted it on the wall and here as well my vote is for:


$3500 Worth of Necessities in the USA from World Vision

I agree with several of the other posters. Donate to help those in need in the USA!!!

Donate to a cause in the USA please! We have plenty of poor who need help too

I agree with the others.. Lets help the USA!! How can we truely help others when our own country is needing help.

I agree - let's help someone in our country. Times are hard these days here too. CONGRATS!

I don't have a facebook but anything Samaritan's Purse does is wonderful! Operation Christmas Child is one of my favorite things to do during the Christmas Season! All of these are great, but my vote would be one of the Samaritan's Purse choices!

I'm so happy to see others agree that we have immediate need in our country. I have opted to do all our annual donations and holiday charities locally. I will vote for the USA, too! Thanks for including them and donating!

With the economic problems right now and so many people losing their jobs. There are more people struggling to make it this season than before. I vote taking care of our own first.

I vote anyone in the USA

I second that!

I agree with the water, but I also think there are poor people right here in America who do not have food or necessities so I am leaning more towards that.

What a generous idea! As someone who has traveled and seen what a lack of clean water results in, I would vote for the Water filtration project. (But truly, all of these are worthy projects!)