Good Search/Good Shop Helping Charities

By Lori Fullbright, News On 6

TULSA, OK -- The economy is making it tough for many people to give to charities this year. Now, there's a way to help your favorite group and it doesn't cost you a penny.

It's as simple as searching the internet or shopping for something you want anyway.

Good Search is a search engine and every time you use it to search the internet, they give a penny to your favorite charity.

Good Shop is a website with 700 different stores, if you shop at any of them; they give a percentage of your purchase to a group you choose.

If you buy something at the Tulsa Girl Scout shop, you're helping teach girls the lessons of courage, confidence and character or you're helping send a girl to science camp or photography camp, experiences that are life changing and invaluable.

Like every group that depends on donations, Girl Scouts is feeling the effects of this tough economy. That's why they were glad to sign up for Good Search and Good Shop.

"These are ways that are wonderful for people two give when they're searching. It doesn't cost anybody anything and if you can help someone while doing something you're already doing, that is perfect," said Ingrid Williams of Girl Scouts of Eastern OK.

Good Search is powered by Yahoo and before you begin, you choose your group, then every time you search, a penny goes to that charity or school.

"Pennies add up really quickly. Just 500 people doing four searches a day is $7,300 a year for an organization without any of these people spending a dime," said JJ Ramberg of Good Search/Good Shop.

Good Shop is also a way to get money for your group. Go to the website, designate your charity then shop from a choice of 700 stores, many of them offer special deals and coupons.

Then, they'll give a percentage of everything you buy, to your group.

Ingrid Williams says it's a win-win.

"You are helping organizations that are making a difference in the world and you are supporting businesses willing to support good things in your community," said Williams.

More than 65,000 charities are listed at these sites, everything from the big ones like Cystic Fibrosis to little, local PTA's and hospices.