We are asked to give a lot these days. There are so many causes. The askers have to be creative.

Then, into our in-box came an invitation to the “Un-Ball,” aka “The Revenge of the Bridesmaids.” The guests must wear their ugliest bridesmaid dresses, the “gaudiest garb.”

The un-coolest clothes will win great prizes -- so get out your worst nightmare pink taffeta gown and head out this Saturday night to the fabulous Ocean Place Resort and Spa (www.oceanplaceresort.com) in Long Branch. Your $75/pp donation supports the United Way of Monmouth County. You can RSVP at (732) 571-4000.

To help another great cause, you can come as you are -- just be ready to laugh. The Roxbury Foundation For Excellence in Education (www.roxbury.org) thinks comedy might get you to part with your money.

It’s this Saturday night at Skylands (www.skylandsatrandolph.com/) in Randolph, where you can L.O.L. with five (count ’em) comedians, including Matt Bellace (www.mattbellace.com), a PhD in clinical neuropsychology ? hey, he’s funny and smart. It’s $65 for dinner and the show. Call (973) 927-5017 to buy a seat. Leave the kids at home, this humor is for adults only.

Finally, our friends at Pequannock NJ Unico (www.pequannockunico.org), asked us to tell you about their special St. Patrick’s Day dinner-dance on March 17. The benefit is for injured military men and women arriving back from Iraq and facing financial hardship.

Help the vets with $50, which buys you a night out at the Scottish Rights Hall in Lincoln Park to eat Irish and Italian food. All the proceeds go to the Family and Friends for Freedom Fund (www.injuredmarinesfund.org). Get out the checkbook and go have a great time, for all the right reasons.