Online Charities Lend Meaning to Giving

If you're in the spirit of charitable giving this holiday season, XO laptops are not the only way to give to people in need. The web provides many avenues for giving near and far.

If you're thinking of choosing favorite charities in lieu of gifts for some family and friends on your list, here are some effective charities that make online giving easy. If there are other charities you're considering, start at the Better Business Bureau's Give.org web site to make sure the charities are legitimate.

Donorschoose.org -- Helps teachers in low-income areas fulfill project plans by helping them buy needed supplies.

Heifer.org -- Works to combat world hunger by providing families in poverty-stricken and disaster-hit regions with livestock and training to help feed their families and communities.

Bring Light -- A web site where donors and nonprofit organizations build communities to fund specific charitable projects. All charities listed on the site are qualified 501(c)(3) public charities, prescreened for quality.

You can also search for your an organization linked with a cause special to you on sites such as JustGive.org, which uses the GuideStar database to affirm reputable charities. Or go directly to the organization's site if it is well known, like the American Cancer Society or the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Since charitable giving via the web is gaining popularity, you need to be sure you're dealing with a reputable charity and a true URL. To avoid charity scams, check out these tips from the National Consumers League Internet Fraud Watch. Top of the list: If you're approached by an unfamiliar charity, check it out first!

Has anyone put charitable giving on their holiday list this year or past years?