A Spanish charity group has raised enough money through its Second Life awareness campaign, which featured a homeless avatar, to provide a month of healthcare and education for a real-life child.
Asociacion Mensajeros de la Paz (Messengers of Peace), which runs some 300 foster homes, created the avatar MensajerosDeLaPaz Jubilee.

I've seen a number of similar charities in SL, and was always rather suspicious of them. I guess the real question is, can I deduct the purchase of lindens needed for such a charity on my taxes?

Charity Raises Funds With Homeless Avatar