In the same amount of time it takes normal folks to fully process the breadth of a tragedy, you can rest assured that the ne'er–do–wells of the world are already devising a way to make money off of it. Usually it’s some kind of capitalistic outsider. But people have stepped up to generate a little money off the back of the Boston Marathon bombings, and they were actual participants. At least seven are selling their 2013 Boston Marathon medals on EBay, drawing the ire of critics who accuse them of trying to cash in on the horrific events. One seller peddles his memento like this: "2013 Official Boston Marathon Finishers Medal given only to qualified runners who finished before the bombing took place." Classy. 

There are some sick people in America. They see tragedy like the Boston Marathon bombings not as a chance to step in and help, but as a time to take advantage of people's good hearts. And so we have a host of scams and fake charities, all ways to bilk Americans who want to help the people of Boston out of their hard-earned money.

Is that you? Do you want to help? We have good news for you.

There are legitimate charities to aid the victims of Monday's cowardly act of terror at the finish line of the nation's most historic race. We've got them here. We've also got a list of scams that you should avoid (and report!).

A homeless man in Illinois may have just been given the perfect opportunity to get back on his feet by winning the lottery -- literally. Pastor Greg Davis of United Pentecostal Church in Dekalb witnessed an obviously homeless man grinning over his winning ticket.

Davis, who had stopped at a gas station in Bloomington on Thursday night, said, “I was standing behind a man who was obviously homeless for a couple of different reasons you could tell he was certainly down on his luck.”

When you think of a breast cancer charity effort, we tend to think of a lot of pink ... and crowds of women standing together to show support for one another's battles with the disease. But men are a valiant, integral part of the fight, as well. Case in point: Sgt. Charles Gallagher, a systems administrator with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit and native of St. Cloud, Florida, participated in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Wilmington, North Carolina this past Saturday. He ran in support of his aunt, Kathleen Kennard, who is currently undergoing treatment for breast cancer. 

Sgt. Gallagher told Marines.com: "My aunt is near and dear to me. This race is my way of showing support for the fight she is fighting. And for women in general who are in the same fight.” Good for him!

Who says breakfast has to be eaten in the a.m. only? Especially today -- Tuesday, February 5, otherwise known as National Pancake Day -- it's an all-day affair. Or should I say all-night? Because for the eighth year in a row, IHOP is serving free plates of pancakes to all diners tonight between the hours of 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. Come 'n' get 'em piping hot! Nom nom nom.

And as if the offer couldn't get any tastier, it's for a sweet, philanthropic cause ...

A woman walked into a Wal-Mart and tried to buy several iPads with her EBT card. Twice. Food stamps for iPads. Tracy Browning, a 38-year-old Louisville, Kentucky woman, allegedly attempted to purchase the Apple tablets using an Electronic Benefit Transfer card, then assaulted store employees and took off with the merchandise when it didn’t work. She was arrested when she tried to do the same thing at another Wal-Mart a few hours later.

According to Louisville police, Browning had previously been banned from all Wal-Mart locations for other incidents with the discount retailer. She’s been charged with robbery, shoplifting, and trespassing, and has been booked into the Louisville Metro jail. No word on what those prior incidences were, or if they involved theft or fancy electronics.

What occured at Sandy Hook Elementary School two weeks ago was so devastating that we couldn't possibly imagine there being any light at all related to the tragedy. But over the days following, the response from people all over the country has been incredibly powerful. Loads of gifts have arrived in Newtown, Connecticut. So many that postal workers say they can no longer handle the capacity of the packages they're receiving.

Newtown First Selectman Patricia Llondra said, "Our hearts are warmed by the outpouring of love and support from all corners of our country and world," but she went on to note that while the town is immensely grateful, they need to ask that people who wish to give the town condolences for the shooting donate to needy children and families in their own community, in the name of those killed in Sandy Hook Elementary on December 14.

It’s been over a month since Barack Obama won reelection, but for some reason chief campaign advisor David Axelrod is still sending me emails. One of the latest emails asked me to click on a link to view the President’s moving speech from Sunday night in the town of Newtown, the site of last week’s school shooting massacre.

Axelrod stated:

“As we reflect on the lives lost last week, we must also, as the President urged, consider how each of us can play a part in making our country worthy of the memory of those little children.”

When you click on either of the two links in the email, it takes you to BarackObama.com, where you can click the “donate” button and donate $15-$1,000 … to the Obama-Biden campaign.