Organization questions...?

I know there was a question before about starting non-profit organizations but i wanted to ask something a bit different:

Namely - i plan to start a small group that deals with the education of the people in regards to dogs ad dog care. Pass out (or pin up) flyers, pamphlets, etc. I plan to sell things (jewelry on-line, food, garage sale profits, etc) and donate that money to actual organizations at the end of each month.

Do i have to DO anything "legally" to make my "organization" legit? Or would it be considered a business of some sort that i would have to "register"?

Second, if i plan to ask for donations so i have to do anything about THAT (such as file stuff, apply for anything, etc.)

I mostly want to hand things out or pin things up. I offer stuff on the website (or will as i get going with it) and we have tons of garage sales come summer i plan to have "bake sales" at. It would be nice to have a donation tin but i don't know if it's legal for me to ask for "spare change" or if i need anything for it....?

Here's the site if anyone is interested:

http://canine-truth.webs.com/

At current it's just me and a friend who would be doing this, though i'm hoping to get more people in my community involved (even if it is just them passing out flyers and such).

Last year i sold some of my jewelry and made about $50 (which was donated to SPCA effort to stop puppy mills) at a local neighborhood garage sale.