No doubt everyone recognizes the American Red Cross, but do you know exactly what they do? Here's a summary from their web site: "Throughout the American Red Cross — whether it's providing relief to victims of disaster, blood to hospital patients, health and safety training to the public, or emergency social services to U.S. military families — we are better prepared than ever to live up to our reputation as America's most trusted charity. And it is the support of compassionate Americans that enables us to succeed."

They've been around for 125 years, and there are practically that many reasons we chose them. Not only do they provide desperately needed support here in the U.S. during crippling winter storms and the aftermath of Hurricanes like Katrina and Rita, they're also famous for their first-rate international services with their ongoing relief efforts in Africa, their help with Indonesian and Pakistan Quake relief--we could go on and on.

Charity Navigator: 4 out of 4 stars

American Institute of Philanthropy (AIP) : A+ (in their select group of top-rated charities)