Dec 15, 2008 11:30 pm US/Eastern
Consumer Advice: Shop & Donate To Charity
2 Unique Web Sites Allow Customers To Contribute To Causes
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
Who are the latest victims of the sagging economy? Charities are reporting a tremendous drop in donations this holiday season, a time when they traditionally receive the most.
But now, there's a new way you can give back, without shelling out an extra dime.
At New York City's ASPCA on the Upper East Side shelter animals were getting their Christmas presents a little early.
"We've been able to provide flea and tick medication for 3,000 animals," the ASPCA's Anita Kelso Edson said.
Thanks to more than $22,000 in donations -- all raised by a click of the mouse at two unique Web sites.
"Goodshop and Goodsearch are the easiest way people can support their cause at no cost to themselves just by doing their holiday shopping or searching online," Kari McMinn said.
At goodshop.com you get linked to 700 brand name stores to make your purchases. But instead of profits going only to retailers, up to 30 percent of your total sale is donated to the charity of your choice. You can use goodsearch.com just like Google or Yahoo!
"Every time you do a search a penny per search goes to the nonprofit or school of your choice," McMinn said.
City Harvest, Big Brothers/Big Sisters and the Epilepsy Foundation of Long Island are just a few of the local charities currently benefiting from these good sites.
"Their need is going up while their donations are decreasing, so this is just that little extra to get through especially during hard economic times," McMinn said.
Back over at the ASPCA Edson broke down the numbers.
"The $22,000, one penny at a time adds up to tangible help for thousands and thousands of animals," she said.
When using goodshop.com you'll get the same price as the retailers' sites, but you'll also get the added bonus of special offers and discounts.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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