What's your cause?

Kids. Pets. Family. School. Charity. Church. Political. Social. Spiritual.

We all have causes.

Whether it is supporting your local firefighters or the police or the church or a specific foundation for a disease or the local animal shelter or a political group or your kid's school or a soccer/baseball team or the food bank or the local , people sometimes find causes they believe in and get behind to support. I have supported many causes over my life for different reasons, some more than others. Some I support with a check while others I have donated time and sweat equity to help out.

A few (but not all) of the ones I've supported over my life:

• The American Cancer Society - something that touches many people


• The Prostate Cancer Foundation - I'm a unwilling member of this club


• Save the Ta-Tas - for a coworker and close friend


• The Boy Scouts of America - for my son and many others


• The American Diabetes Association - for a great woman who rides long distances


• The Leukemia Society - for several friends and a neighbor


• The Epilepsy Foundation - personal reasons/experience


• Elves & More - my annual tradition during the X-Mas holidays


• SPCA - we got Shadow from them


• The Humane Society - they've gone to the dogs


• Golden Beginnings Golden Retriever Rescue (GBGRR) - Grayson is the outcome of this group


• United Methodist Church - longtime member


• The USO - for the men & women who put their lives on the line for me


• Wreaths Across America - in remembrance for those who made the ultimate sacrifice


• the Elkins High School Marching Band - worth sticking around for halftime


• March of Dimes - been a supporter for many years


• The Century Club - to support my Alma mater

Now, please do not mistake me as some sort of pariah or saint. I am not rich, but I tend to support things that are near & dear to my heart. I have not been able to support a lot of groups or causes because I have limited funds and time, but I try to lend my support where I can. I am a big supporter of the BSA both financially and spiritually. I have spent many summer vacations on the trail or in camp in support of their efforts to educate and train young adults. I am a firm believer in their objectives and support their mission whenever I can. One of the paybacks has been wth my son earning his Eagle Scout rank. Some people give money, some give their time while others dedicate their lives to causes that they believe in. Everybody has their reasons for supporting their own cause/effort.

What's your cause?