Most of us live in quiet confidence that, should the need ever arise, some kind of agency or organization is standing by, ready to help us deal with personal and family crises, facilitate our pursuits of the arts and other stimulating pleasures, or nurture the physical environment. We may grumble when we pay taxes, but there's comfort in understanding that we're providing ourselves with social services safety nets should we or a loved oneor one of our societal brethren happen to require professional help.

Certainly, there are many government agencies that serve us and serve us well. However, it would surprise most that an extraordinary percentage of our "quiet confidence" is invested in the public services provided by nonprofit organizations.

The tremendous scope of nonprofit work in Thurston County is never more apparent than when attending any regular meeting of the South Sound Partners in Philanthropy.Gathered around the table are representatives of such organizations as Safeplace, the YMCA, Hands On Children's Museum, all three area colleges, Senior Services, Providence St. Peter, United Communities AIDS Network, United Way, The Wyatt Holliday Foundation, and the list goes on.

Nonprofits are the very backbone of public service in our community, and virtually all of these organizations require significant outside funding to exist. Depending on the generosity of others is, unfortunately, never reliable, and most nonprofit organizations spend too much time and energy recruiting donations, applying for grants, and worrying over which vital service or staff member will be cut should donations lag.

Nonprofits feed the hungry, cloth the poor, rescue the abused, teach the illiterate to read, heal the sick, prevent drug abuse, educate, stimulate, and delight. They provide wholesome activity for children and seniors, strengthen the weak, counsel the angry and bereaved, preserve the environment, enable, empower, enlightten, and entertain. Sooner or later, in one way or another, everyone is a beneficiary of a nonprofit organization.

It is the responsibility of each and every member of a community-this very definitely includes you and me-to support local charities. Ensuring the viability of local nonprofits not only ensures a service will be available when we need it, but it is utterly the right thing to do to advance the excellence of our entire society.

Financial advisors recommend that the first check you write each month should be to your savings account. The second check you write, however small, should be to a local nonprofit organization. Please do this.

And teach your children to do this so that they might experience the good feelings of benefaction through a lifetime habit in giving.

To give to your local charity of choice please visit our member list. Thank you!