Donate money via Lions International collection points

Donate foreign currency to Lions International

In our globalized world, more and more people are traveling abroad. From vacationers to business travelers, many of us return with foreign currency, coins, or banknotes that often remain unused in a drawer. Instead of letting this valuable but unused currency gather dust, there’s a way to use it for a good cause. One initiative that makes this possible is the Lions International project through the website VreemdenOudGeld.nl.

This project offers people the opportunity to donate their old or foreign currency. However, as with many good initiatives, there are also drawbacks and alternatives that may be more appealing, such as the approach of the Cambio Foundation.

In this article, we discuss the advantages and limitations of donating through Lions International and why the Cambio Foundation can be an interesting option for people who want to donate their foreign currency.

Lions International and VreemdenOudGeld.nl

Lions International, a globally recognized charity with a strong local presence, has developed a program to collect foreign currency for charity. This money is collected, converted into euros, and then donated to two charities: Stichting Hulphond (Assistance Dog Foundation) and Fight for Sight.

The concept is simple: instead of leaving foreign currency lying uselessly around the house, people can hand in their coins at special collection points placed by Lions in select supermarkets throughout the Netherlands. The collected money is then converted into euros and benefits the aforementioned charities, giving this foreign currency a second life.

While this initiative is commendable, there are also some practical drawbacks to handing in foreign currency through Lions International, which make it less than user-friendly for some.

The Disadvantages of the Lions Approach

One of the biggest obstacles people face when donating through Lions International is the fact that they have to physically take their foreign currency to a supermarket with a collection point. These points aren’t everywhere, but only at a select number of supermarkets in the Netherlands. For those who happen to live near such a supermarket, this isn’t a problem. But for the vast majority of the population, it can be a significant challenge.

Imagine: you have some foreign coins or banknotes left over after your vacation, but the nearest supermarket with a collection point is dozens of kilometers away. This makes the barrier to actually donating quite high. The idea of driving to another location just to drop off some change deters many people. As a result, a lot of foreign currency remains unused, even though it could potentially make a significant contribution to charities.

Another disadvantage of the Lions approach is that they only donate to two charities: the Hulphond Foundation and Fight for Sight. While these are undoubtedly both worthwhile organizations, limiting the number of charities can deter people who might prefer to contribute to other causes. After all, there are countless charities that could benefit from foreign currency donations. This lack of flexibility in supporting a wider range of charities can discourage people from donating through Lions.

An Easier Alternative: Cambio Foundation

For those looking for an easier way to donate foreign currency, Cambio Foundation offers an attractive alternative. Unlike Lions International, which requires you to physically visit a collection point, Cambio Foundation allows you to donate your foreign currency much more easily. Cambio Foundation facilitates direct donations of foreign currency without having to visit a specific supermarket with a kiosk.

Cambio Foundation has developed a user-friendly approach that allows people to easily send their foreign currency by mail. This eliminates the need to visit a collection point and makes the process much more accessible. Simply put your money in an envelope and send it to the foundation’s address. This means donating money abroad through the Cambio Foundation takes just minutes, without even leaving the house.

Another major advantage of the Cambio Foundation is that it works with a wider range of charities. This gives donors more freedom of choice and allows them to decide for themselves which charity their donation goes to. This allows people to feel more connected to the impact their donation will have, which can encourage them to donate more often and in larger numbers.

Comparison between Lions International and Cambio Foundation

When comparing Lions International and Cambio Foundation, we see that both initiatives have their advantages, but that Cambio Foundation offers several important practical benefits.

1. Convenience: Lions International requires donors to physically bring their money to a specific supermarket. This can be cumbersome for many people, especially if there isn’t a collection point nearby. Cambio Foundation allows for easy donations by mail, making the process much more accessible.

2. Diversity of charities: Lions donates the money raised to just two charities, while Cambio Foundation offers people the option of donating to a wider range of charities. This can be more appealing to people with more specific preferences.

3. Flexibility in donations: With Lions, people have to find a kiosk, which takes time and effort. With Cambio Foundation, you simply have to mail your donation, which significantly lowers the barrier to entry.

4. Ease of Use: Donating through StichtingCambio is easier and faster, which increases the likelihood that people will actually donate instead of leaving their foreign currency unused.

Why is it important to donate foreign currency?

Donating foreign currency, no matter how small the amount may seem, can have a significant impact. Many people don’t realize that even small amounts of currency, when combined, can generate significant amounts. This is especially true for organizations like Lions International and Stichting Cambio, where these donations are converted into valuable euros that are then used for humanitarian and social causes.

For example, Lions International focuses on supporting the Assistance Dog Foundation, which uses specially trained assistance dogs to help people with physical or mental disabilities. Lions also supports Fight for Sight, an organization dedicated to combating blindness and eye diseases. These are undeniably important causes that benefit from donations.

The Cambio Foundation works with a wider range of charities, meaning that donating foreign money through this foundation can have a broader social impact. Think, for example, of supporting projects in developing countries, environmental initiatives, or helping vulnerable populations in the Netherlands.

Conclusion

Donating foreign money to charities is a wonderful way to give back to society and make a difference with money that would otherwise remain unused. Initiatives like those of Lions International through **VreemdenOudGeld.nl** are a step in the right direction, but their collection method has practical limitations. Having to travel to a supermarket with a collection kiosk can be cumbersome, and the limited choice of charities can be a disadvantage for some people.

Therefore, it’s good to know that there are alternatives, such as the Cambio Foundation, that offer a simpler and more flexible donation process. The convenience of donating by mail and the ability to support a wider range of charities could make the Cambio Foundation a more attractive alternative for many people.

Whichever option you choose, the most important thing is that the foreign currency doesn’t go unused, but gets a second life in the form of a donation that can make a real difference in the world.

If you have any foreign coins or banknotes lying around that you no longer need, consider donating them using the instructions below.

How to donate to Charity Cambio?

• We accept all types of foreign currency, both coins and banknotes.
• This also includes currency that is generally no longer exchangeable.
• You can drop off your donation yourself at the reception desk at the address below. Opening hours are Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM-6:00 PM.
• You can also mail your donation. Please be sure to cover the shipping costs yourself. Please include your information (IBAN and email address) in a note inside the envelope, and we will reimburse the shipping costs.
• If you provide an email address, you will always receive a response. Please be patient, as we are volunteers and process received currency quarterly.
• Send your foreign currency to the address below:

Locations of donation boxes for donating foreign money