America, the Most Charitable Nation in the World

Americans are the most charitable people in the world. That is not just a generous exaggeration. The voluntary giving of the American people during times of need has been documented in many different studies. These studies show that Americans will give far more towards helping out their fellow man, in times of trouble, than any other private citizenry in the world. Here are statistics some of those studies have shown.

* The American private citizens gave 1.78 billion dollars in relief when a terrible tsunami hit Asia. This giving was above and beyond what the United States Government gave in aid. Bringing relief to the suffering is in the very fabric of the American psyche. The Citizens of the US don't just give lip service to helping they reach out with their pocketbooks and with themselves in volunteerism. The very size of the dollars given dwarfs what any other developed nation could contribute.

* In a few short months after the devastating Asian tsunami a major earthquake hit Pakistan causing great devastation there. The American people stepped up and gave 78 million dollars to aid the suffering there.

* When America's own coastal areas got hit with hurricanes our people began sending in needed funds for rebuilding and relief. When hurricane's Katrina and Rita hit our shores, Americans responded and gave 3.12 billion dollars and relief efforts are still underway today.

The generosity of Americans shines through year after year in their willingness to give in big needs and in little needs. Americans donate an estimated one-quarter of a trillion dollars to charities such as the American Red Cross, The Salvation Army and The American Cancer Society. This is in addition to what they give through their places of worship.

It is interesting to note how some places in the world view Americans as selfish and spoiled when this is the exact opposite of the truth. This view of America serves the interest of certain groups or countries that would like that image to remain. An important part of the American dream is and always will be expressed in giving to others needs.