General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Americans are the loneliest, most isolated people [View all]Erich Bloodaxe BSN
(14,733 posts)around Daily Kos way, and they have frequent fundraisers for members in need, as well as several charities they've adopted and run fundraising diaries for off and on. Now a scam artist or three has shown up now and again, but they also have groups to encourage board members to meet up with other Kossacks who are in the same part of the country, so there does tend to be some vetting of charity cases. No one is required to donate, but a lot of people do. They've helped people struggling with large vet bills, meeting rent or property taxes, having money for heat in winter, etc.
I think the key is having some way to at least be somewhat sure that you're not just sending money to a scam artist. As long as the need is shown to be real, people tend to step up and help out.