We now know that the people of Western Washington have a generous heart after hundreds of people overwhelmed the Salvation Army with donations during the flood drive on Wednesday.

But not all charities operate the way the Salvation Army does. That's why you need to remember not just to give, but give wisely this holiday season.

Washington's Secretary of State Sam Reed just released his annual charity report, which shows how important it is to check out a charity before you make a donation. Otherwise, you could be giving your money to a con artist or a professional fundraiser who keeps most of what you give.

The new report shows that commercial fundraisers will take in a record-setting amount of more than $640 million for charity this year.

The fundraisers give about half of those donations to their charity clients, which is actually good compared to other years.

Only 12 of the 108 fundraisers working our state gave more than 65 percent of the money raised back to the charity. Some returned only pennies on every dollar donated.

Of course, unless you take the time to check out the charity before you give, you'd never know that.

Most charities are honest and will put your money to good use, but not all will do the same.

So when you get a call out of the blue or a letter from am unknown group, you need to be careful.

"There is now law that says that a charity can only spend x percent of what they raise on overhead and administration," said State Attorney General Rob McKenna. "So it can be legal for a charity to spend 80 or 90 percent of what they raise on overhead and administrative expenses. It's really a case of caveat emptor, buyer beware, in this case, donor beware."

Bennett Weiner is the CEO of the Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance. We met at bureau headquarters in McLean, Virginia.

"Police and firefighter organizations have been involved in problem appeal situations for decades. It's a long-term problem," he said. "The sad fact is - there are some legitimate police and firefighter organizations that are doing good work. But there are also some out there that solely have police and firefighter in the name and have absolutely no connection to your local police officers or firefighters."

Weiner says some of these groups aren't even charities, so a contribution may not be tax deductible.

You should always check out the facts before you give. I asked the state attorney general how he approaches giving.

"I always insist telemarketers send me something in writing if I'm interested in giving at all, because I'm never going to make a promise or a pledge over the phone. They just don't give me enough information on the phone," McKenna said.

I believe it's important to give to charity. That's why I want to make sure my money goes to the cause and not to some fundraiser or a con artist.

Just follow the rules and you won't go wrong. Don't believe what you hear on the phone or read in a charity solicitation.

Before you give, check them out for yourself and verify the claims. Yes, it does take a bit of time, but with the Internet it really doesn't take that long.

The Web site give.org tells you whether a charity meets the Better Business Bureau's standards, including whether 65 percent of the money collected goes to direct services.

For More Information:

Give to charity - but don't be a sucker

BBB Wise Giving Alliance

Charities - Check Before You Give

Charity info from Washington Attorney General

Charity of info from Washington Secretary of State

Charity donations: give or take?

Tips on police and firefighter organizations