Have you ever met someone who talks about all the good things they do? They just go on and on until you're feeling uncomfortable for them? Like everyone knows Saint Francis was a good guy, but he wasn't going around like, "Look at the church I organized" or "I totally saved this animal from danger." I think it helps when you don't toot your own horn. There's a sense of humility involved.

When someone comes to my apartment and sees the letter posted on my fridge from the Association for the Advancement of Blind and Retarded they learn something new about me. If I were to call them when I got the letter and said, "Dude-- I just got a thank you letter for donating money!" that would make it a bit of an empty gesture, don't you think? No matter what my intentions were when I sent the money, after the fact, it's cheapened.

The institute put my money in a fund that paid for the development and implementation of devices for autistic children. These devices help identify household items. In some way that I'm not sure about, it helps them better recognize the names for things around the house, like the couch or or a table. It seemed like a pretty interesting and progressive fund, and I plan on putting some holiday funds into it too.

I don't have the aforementioned letter on my fridge so that people will think that I'm helpful and charitable. In fact, when I see someone reading it (which is easy, since the place isn't a mansion), I try to distract them. I didn't donate for recognition, whether it was asked for or not. I donated because I remember how crappy it was being a sick kid. While I just had to re-learn how to walk and deal with the possible loss of a limb to cancer, these kids have it much harder. I post the letter on the fridge because of how kind and genuine it was. There was a typo, so I'm convinced it wasn't a form letter. Even if it was though, they really made me feel good about what I did.

Kids who go through things like childhood illness have to grow up fast. Maybe, because of this, they never grow up all the way too, but that's for some psychologist to tackle, not me. All I know is that it's really easy to give to people you know at the holidays. It's also easy to talk to a kid who has the same illness you had because your mom and doctor cart you into a room with them.

What's not easy is taking the time to talk to a little boy whose dad has the same problem you had or giving money to the poor, no matter how much you wish the attendant would stop clanging that bell. It's not always easy to part with money when you're right out of school, especially if you don't see the tangible effects of the money you donate.

Still, I would encourage everyone to try and give a little for the holidays, and throughout the year (except BJ-- because he's giving his life to helping people-- you can do that too if you want). 'Tis the season for giving. Remember your humility though. The recognition you may deserve for your charity will come to you eventually, but you can never pay off your debts with charity and attention. In the words of Mike Skinner, better known as the Streets, "Just try and stay positive." It may be difficult, but you can do it.

If I actually influence you enough to have you choose charities through me, head over to www.aabr.org