Share some of your riches Published Oct. 16, 2007 By Chief Master Sgt. Brooke McLean 314th Airlift Wing command chief Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark. -- You are rich! Yes, you are. You may not think so, but let me throw some numbers at you. According to globalrichlist.com, if your annual income is $15,616.80 per year, you are in the top 12.1 percent of the richest people in the world. Any guess what an E-1 makes per year? Yup ... $15,616.80. Our newest team members are in the top 12.1 percent of the richest people in the world. And, if you make a $50,000 per year, you are in the top 1 percent. We have so much we rarely stop to think about it. Instead we look at the next flat screen plasma television or wonder why we don't have the car of our dreams. I know I do. What I really should be doing is focusing on the gifts in my life ... safety, freedom, family ... and asking how I can help others. There is a simple answer. Make a donation. There are many reasons to give, but I think the most important is the increase in your character. It makes you a better person. It's not going to make you a saint, but it will give you an appreciation for being a part of something bigger ... something that goes beyond our selfish desires. And, this simple act of kindness can go a long way to helping an individual or an organization. One easy way to give is to participate in the Combined Federal Campaign. It takes very little time and can be sent automatically to the long list of worthy causes available. The CFC allows us to make our giving personal, periodic, private and a priority. So, the next time you are trying to figure out how to spend that extra money think about donating some of it. You would be surprised how far a little charity can go.