From a devastating earthquake in Haiti to a looming humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan to destructive wildfires across the western United States, there is no shortage of human tragedy playing out this week.

These kinds of disasters often make us want to reach for our checkbooks or credit cards to make some sort of contribution to offset these losses. While we may not be able to reach out our own hands to physically assist our global neighbors, we can certainly make some nominal contribution in the hope that our dollars and effort will create some positive difference.

If there is one small downside to this kind of gesture, it is that we can never really be sure our donation delivered the dollar-for-dollar relief we intended once it is dispatched through any of the related charities or nonprofits serving those in need — whether across the country or halfway around the world.

Certainly, we can rely on updates, reports, and testimonials from pass-through agencies directing our donations, presumably to those most in need. None of these organizations would last very long if they failed to deliver convincing proof they were appropriate stewards of your hard-earned and kind-hearted bequest.

But as we continue to be mindful of the suffering across our global community, let us not forget the many organizations struggling to do good and serve our Newtown community.

In recent weeks, we have heard appeals for volunteers from organizations including our Newtown Rotary Club, which is positioned to do so many good deeds — but currently lacks the number of willing and bodies required to effectively deliver on its enormous potential to serve both here in town and through its global service initiatives.

We have seen a couple of our local public safety agencies having to cancel major fundraisers — not once, but twice. Sandy Hook Fire & Rescue has been forced to cancel its 2020 and 2021 Lobster Fests, and Botsford Fire Rescue has canceled its Botsford Summer Bash again. Both of these high-profile community events provide a relevant stream of income to support these independent, nonprofit volunteer fire departments.

Similarly, the Chamber of Commerce of Newtown just canceled its ambitious Newtown Day celebration for the second time. Although the chamber is not typically thought of as a nonprofit agency, it is. And the loss of related revenue and community-building has the potential to impact the chamber’s long-term sustainability as well as its day-to-day efforts promoting and growing our local business and nonprofit communities.

The Catherine Violet Hubbard Foundation’s huge Butterfly Party was also curtailed for a second year in 2021, and Newtown Congregational Church just made the decision to postpone its first-ever community tag sale.

With dozens and dozens of nonprofits and service organizations right here in Newtown quietly grappling with significant losses of income due to scaled-back or cancelled fundraisers, we hope that residents who are fortunate enough to be able to give back in some way will apply their philanthropy or volunteerism first to where it matters most — and where donors can actually see the benefits of their goodwill.

Right here at home.