Lots of charitable agencies and non-profits have been put out of business by the tough economy.

With just a click, it is possible to help some of your favorite charities every day.

I start my day by going to Freekibble. It was started by an 11-year-old and gives food to animal shelters for cats and dogs.

Next I visit, The Animal Rescue Site. This site also links with other non-profits such as breast cancer so you can donate to others as well.

It's a great way for me to start the day....and maybe for you too.

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If you have clothes you never wear and who doesn’t - here’s an opportunity to donate your gently used clothing to someone who will use it.

All donations go to local charities and churches.

* Annual Community Clothing & Food Drive.

* May 19 – 31st.

* Donations accepted from 8 – 5 p.m.

* Drop off Locations:

City of Delray Beach Community Center
50 N.W. 1st Ave.
Delray Beach

Delray Beach Public Library
100 W. Atlantic Ave.
Delray Beach

Greater Delray Beach Chamber of Commerce
64 S.E. 5th Ave.
Delray Beach

Hand’s Stationers
325 E. Atlantic Ave.
Delray Beach

Safe & Secure Storage
2512 No. Federal Hwy.
Delray Beach

For more information contact Leah Kneppa at lkneppa@delraybeach.com or call 561.279.1380 x3.

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Early each morning I start my day by donating a little over a half a cup of dog food to the animal rescue site.

It costs nothing other than 5 seconds of my time.

In addition to pet rescue, this site has links to other sites where your click can make a donation. They are:

* Hunger

* Breast Cancer

* Literacy

* Rainforest

Animal Rescue site and link to other sites

It sounds to good to be true but these charitable organizations make money from the advertisers that are listed on their sites. If you have doubts, check it out on Snopes.com.

Any of the sites will send you a daily reminder to click, if you wish – I do – but you will not be inundated with other annoying emails. Nor do they send your email address to others.

If you want to opt out later, that is also just a click away.

A bonus for me is I enjoy reading the short but touching animal rescue stories that others send along with a photo of their pet.

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Looking for something meaningful to do? Big Brothers/Big Sisters just opened a branch in Delray, and the 103-year old non-profit organization needs volunteers.

It’s an opportunity to help kids who are going through a rough time and need someone special in their lives. Volunteers are asked to make at least a one-year commitment and spend a couple of hours a week with their little brother or sister.

Baseball games, trips to the library or just talking over a soda…it’s up to you.

Volunteers must be 21 or over and complete a background check.

For more information call Lisa at 561.797.2414 or visit www.BBBSPBC.org.

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Are you as sick of reading about bad guys (and gals) as I am?

I want to hear about people who work to make the world a little bit better too.
I can see the headline - Random acts of kindness rampant in Delray Beach.

From my experience that would be a fairly accurate snapshot of Delray. There are many among us who go the extra mile. The problem is they get very little press.

It might be the always patient and pleasant man who works behind the deli counter at the grocery store. Or the little girl who sells lemonade to earn money for the no-kill animal shelter.

Maybe it's a neighbor, a co-worker or even a family member.

Day after day these people quietly perform acts of kindness with no expectations.

So every now and then I'm going to write about some of the everyday heroes I encounter. I invite you to do the same.

Maggie Locke is one such person.

Maggie, Lollipop and Bark

The self-described "dog nanny" has a smile for everyone and often a joke.

She provides oodles of tender, loving care to the pets she watches when their families are away - something rare, as any pet owner will attest. Yes, she has watched Bark and Lolli.

But Maggie's love of animals extends far beyond her professional life.

All of us have seen a frightened and confused lost dog desperately looking for help.

Lucky the strays that Maggie comes across. She drives these unfortunate pets to the vet and attempts to locate the owners. If necessary, she'll take the animal to a no-kill shelter.

When she finds an injured cat, dog, bird, or any creature needing help, she does her best to find it some aid. I guess you could call her white Altima an animal ambulance.

Any costs come out of the retired woman's pocketbook.

The animals she has rescued can't give a public "thank you." But her kindness has been noticed.

Maggie makes the world a better place to be in so many ways.

Thanks Maggie!

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