1. If you're looking for charities to donate to over the holiday season, we have three that we like. Second Harvest Food Bank of Madison, WI has a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator so you can be sure your money will go where it's supposed to.
Sharing Resources Worldwide, also headquartered here in Madison, collects and ships medical supplies and equipment to people all over the world. It was started and is run by two nurses who do a terrific job of stretching dollars. I've been to the warehouse and seen firsthand what they do so I can tell you they're well worth supporting.
Finally, Right Turn is a Massachusetts based non-profit that helps artists with substance abuse problems clean up and stay sober. As you probably know, most working musicians don't have health insurance, and treatment is remarkably expensive. Founded by Woody from the Del Fuegos, they've got an excellent reputation and are vouched for by Joe King of the Queers and JJ Rassler of DMZ and the Downbeat 5.
2. Ex-Screeching Weasel guitarist Phillip Hill recently got the shit kicked out of him in a parking lot by four guys down in Nashville while trying to help a woman the guys were attacking. Like most musicians, Phillip has no medical insurance. Greg from Merman Records had the idea to set up a fund for him and Mass Giorgini set up a Paypal address for him. People have already contributed generously so far but it's hard to say what the hospital bill will be for a collapsed lung, four broken ribs and facial lacerations (one of the guys hit him in the face a bunch of times with the side mirror from his car), not to mention his lost income from being bedridden and unable to work. You can contribute here: helpphilliphill@gmail.com
3. Owen and Dustin Schoenfeld, the twin sons of Mitch over at Reggie's just had their first book published. I haven't read it yet but it looks pretty cool. The kids are only 13. They wrote the book after the White Sox won the World Series then Googled publishers and sent out letters until they found somebody willing to publish it. You've got to admire that kind of work and determination, especially for kids that age. Check it out here.