Today we salute to three very different Garden State charities that may get you thinking about giving back.

Driving For Surviving helps children with cancer heal by learning to prepare, manage, and ultimately drive a carriage pulled by a miniature horse or pony. The charity, based in Far Hills, pairs donated equines with kids, and the results are pure joy.

This past Saturday, the youngsters proudly drove their rigs past the stands at the Garden State Horse Show, just before the Grand Prix jumping contest. The show designated the charity as its 2008 beneficiary. You can watch the performance by clicking on www.njmyway.com.

This week also marks a milestone for the Executive Women of New Jersey. The list of EWNJ honorees at Thursday’s Salute To Policy Makers awards dinner in New Brunswick, is a who’s who of female power brokers from up and down the state.

Former AT&T President Betsy Bernard is one of 37 women who will receive that salute at the dinner. Proceeds go to scholarships for women enrolled in advanced degree programs at New Jersey educational institutions.

Finally, you can help light up the town of Red Bank with what has become one of the biggest and best fireworks displays around. Kaboom has become a July 3 tradition, attracting more than 100,000 people to the riverfront. Check out the write up and last year’s highlights.

Private fundraisers and dinners cover the cost of the big blast. The first event is June 5 and it includes a mini-fireworks preview.

Three charities with very different causes. Each is worthy of your attention and your generosity.