1. Americans Giving Back

2. Facts About Giving to Charities  89% of households give to charitable foundations  The average annual contribution of contributors is $1,620.  In 2007 the U.S. Reached a high with donations totaling $314 billion.  It is estimated total charitable contributions will total between $21.2 to $55.4 trillion in between 1998-2052.  It is estimated that between $6.6 trillion to $27.4 trillion in charitable bequests will be made between 1998-2052.

3. More Facts About Giving  86 percent of wealthy donors said they are most motivated to give by the notion of "meeting critical needs" and 83 percent said "giving back to society" is motivational.  There are approximately 1,010,400 charitable organizations in the United States.  The nonprofit sector employs 10.2 million people, accounting for 6.9% of the total U.S workforce.  The number of family foundations has increased 60% in the past six years.  55 percent of Americans volunteer.

4. Even More Facts  83.9 million American adults volunteer, representing the equivalent of over 9 million full- time employees at a value of $239 billion.  42 percent of people surveyed said personal connections inspire them to volunteer, while another 40 percent said community involvement was the driving force.  The estimated dollar value of volunteer time is $18.77 per hour for 2006.

5. Professional Athletes Give Back

6. How much do athletes give back? Lance Armstrong: The seven-time Tour de France winner donated $5 million in 2007 to the Lance Armstrong Foundation. The foundation is set up to help people suffering from cancer. Michael Jordan: The NBA legend gave $5 million last year to Hales Franciscan High School, a historically black all-boys school in Chicago. Eric Lindros: The former hockey player donated $5 million to the London Health Sciences Center, where he was treated throughout his career. Richard Jefferson: The NBA player gave $3.5 million to the University of Arizona to put toward a basketball and volleyball facility. The 6-foot-7 Milwaukee Bucks forward played for the Wildcats in college. Tiger Woods: The golfer gave $1.35 million last year to the Tiger Woods Learning Center in Orange County, Calif., to get kids thinking about their education through after-school classes that explore future careers. The TWLC is part of the Tiger Woods Foundation, which also gives grants and sponsors junior golfers.

7. More on athletes giving back Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson: The professional wrestler-turned-actor donated $1 million to the renovation of the University of Miami's football facilities. Tracy McGrady: The Houston Rockets star gave $1 million to Stand Up For Darfur to help Sudanese refugees. David Robinson: The former NBA star gave $779,499 to the David Robinson Foundation in support of the Carver Academy, mentoring programs and hunger programs. Richard Seymour: The New England Patriot gave $724,825 to the Richard Seymour Blessing God's Children Foundation, which holds youth camps and health fairs for children. Kevin Youkilis: In addition to his charity work through Hits for Kids, each year the Boston Red Sox slugger spends Christmas morning visiting patients at Boston's Children's Hospital. "It's just a great thing when you can make a kid smile that's going through some hard times in life," Youkilis told MLB.com. Jeff Suppan: Last year, the Milwaukee Brewers pitching ace started a program called Soup's Troops to honor military personnel and their families at Brewers games. Suppan learned that shipping holiday gifts to loved ones serving in Afghanistan cost families more than $3,000. So Suppan picked up the tab. Suppan also hosted a holiday party for 350 children at two Milwaukee-area schools, providing holiday gifts and a backpack sporting Suppan's autograph.

8. Charities at Work

9. Giving It is something many people do, out of the kindness of there heart Just to help someone that is in need Any type of donations can help From material goods, to a few dollars here and there, or even volunteer service Although some people might say we are a greedy nation Just take a look at the stats and that will show you otherwise We give billions of dollars each year out of the kindness of our heart Just to help someone that is in need Its not just a few people donating But its almost every household in the U.S. that gives something each year To help out people that they don't even know Some even travel thousands of miles Just to help out a community that is in need of someone special That will give there time and effort to help rebuild So weather you have money to donate to a charitable organization Or you can donate your time and effort Its is always appreciated when you go out of your way to help someone that is in need So just remember the next time a charity is asking for pocket change Or volunteer services So make a difference and help someone that is in need

10. Make a Difference By: Tyler Foulon