Throughout the USA, so many of us are in a giving mood. Natural disasters, particularly Hurricane Katrina, has brought out the best in all of us. Clothes, food, money, and so much more is being donated and at a pace never seen before in our nation's history. The recipients are needy as many have lost all that they have. In the midst of this special season of giving please remember that others need your help too.

After the 2001 terrorist attacks, Americans gave large sums of monies to agencies helping out survivors and relatives of those who were killed. Demonstrably, Americans put action to their words and contributed untold millions to the relief effort. Without this special assistance, the recovery effort would have been in vain. Thankfully, so many hearts were touched and people who needed help received it.

One aftermath of the terrorist attacks that received limited press coverage was the financial impact the attacks had on other organizations. While funds flowed with ease to organizations tasked with assisting survivors and family members, quite a number of nonprofit organizations across the USA suffered. The flip side of giving to one organization often means that other organizations go without. It was reported that several organizations experienced some very hard months after September 11th as anticipated donations were diverted to other organizations. Food shelters, animal relief organizations, cancer recovery groups, and so many others reported a sharp drop in giving which greatly impacted these organizations' ability to do their work. The unexpected result was that some salaried staff members had hours cut back or were let go, while in other cases projects were curtailed or halted altogether.

Of course, I am not saying to hold back your funds for the Hurricane Katrina relief effort. Instead, and I know we all have limited means, plan on continuing to give to other organizations as much as you are able to do so. Many have fall fund raising drives that must go on, so please help these organizations by giving according to what you are able to give.