No charitable cause evokes more emotion, sympathy and the desire to contribute than a children’s charity. Perhaps it is their innocence that makes Americans want to do what they can to help. Parents of healthy children thank God that their children are thriving. They feel an urge to help the less fortunate children of the world. Charities devoted to children’s causes represent a substantial portion of all charitable organizations.

Children have numerous needs that can not always be met for any number of reasons. Poverty in our nation affects children particularly hard. The basic needs of a growing child that comes from an impoverished family are often neglected. Food, clothing and shelter must be provided. Going without is not an option. Growing boys and girls need medical care, a loving and supportive environment and the chance to believe in their future.

According to the National Center for Charitable Statistics, there are about 1 million public charities in the United States with many of them devoted to helping children in need. There are charities that address children’s medical needs. Others address education, counseling and career training. Still others provide toys at Christmas build playgrounds or supply school books.

A child should be able to look forward to an exciting and productive future. They may be suffering from a serious medical condition, come from a broken or dysfunctional family or live in poverty. Any and all of those difficult circumstances should not stand between a child and a bright future. Charitable contributions to worth charities that help children prosper are extremely important.

In this day and age, millions of Americans are out of work and suffering. Millions more are finding it difficult to keep up with their mortgage payments and other monthly bills. But, despite personal financial difficulties, most Christians will do what they can to help a child. Overall charitable giving historically declines in tough economic times. The total dollars collected for needy children may drop, but the desire to give to a charity to help a child remains deep in the heart of most every American.

There is a dark side to the business of raising money. More than any other charitable cause, solicitations for children’s charities attract unscrupulous organizations. There are organizations that promise to grant last wishes to a dying child and those that promise to help them get a needed operation. Who can say no to a request for help? The problem with some organizations is that they may spend upward of 90% on fundraising and only give 10% or less of all donated funds to further the charitable cause.

Despite the abuse by some, it is important to fund the legitimate organizations. After all, the children are our future.