Holiday Helping

Many holiday celebrations from Kwanza to Hanukkah from Diwali to Christmas emphasize selfless giving. As the world’s wealthiest nation, America, even in a recession, has millions upon millions to give to those less fortunate and to organizations that assist them. The internet with wonderful sites like http://www.charitynavigator.org/ has made informed giving easy. During this holiday season, I’ve compiled a list of traditional and not so traditional charities that I’ve supported. I urge you to make a donation to one of these or find your own.

Angel Tree-The Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program provides new clothing or toys for children of needy families, with angel tree’s often found in high-traffic areas such as malls, churches and corporations. Each tree is decorated with numbered paper angel tags with the first name, age and gender of a child who will receive the gift. To sponsor a child from the Angel Tree, simply remove one or more tags from the tree and purchase appropriate gifts for the child or children described on the tags. The organization displaying the Angel Tree is also the collection point or drop-off location for all gifts.

Africare– Is the oldest African-American led charitable organization focusing on Africa. It reaches communities in 25 countries in every region of Sub-Saharan Africa. Its primary focus is on Food security, agriculture, health and HIV/AIDS and water resource development but its reach extends into emergency response, environmental management, literacy and vocational training, micro-enterprise development and civil-society development.

UNCF-For 65 years the United Negro College Fund has been supporting the 39 member colleges of the fund, giving scholarships and advocating for minority higher education. With its famous slogan “A Mind Is A Terrible Thing To Waste” , the UNCF has a long and storied tradition of helping minority students—many the first in their families to attend college (60%)—attend college and close the educational attainment gap between African Americans and the majority population.

Toys for Tots- The U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program helps needy children throughout the United States experience the joy of Christmas; playing an active role in collecting and delivering a shiny new toy at Christmas. Local toy collection campaigns begin in October and last until December 22, with toy deliveries normally taking place on December 23 and 24. Community members drop new, unwrapped toys at toys for tots locations, which are collection boxes positioned in local businesses. These toys are stored in warehouses, sorted by age and gender, and then delivered to needy children at Christmastime.

Operation Christmas Child- Operation Christmas Child brings joy and hope to needy children around the world through shoe boxes or small plastic containers filled with unwrapped toys, school supplies, candy and other gifts, then shipped to needy children overseas with a personal note included. Suggested gift ideas include toys like small cars, balls, dolls, stuffed animals, kazoos, harmonicas, yo-yos, jump ropes, and toys that light up and/or make noise. Christmas gifts of pencils, pens, crayons, markers, coloring books and other art supplies are encouraged, as are gifts of toothbrushes, toothpaste, bar soap, and other personal care, hygiene items.

Make a Wish Foundation- You can make this holiday season special for children dealing with life-threatening medical conditions and illnesses by your generous donations to the Make a Wish Foundation of America Adopt-A-Wish program, thus helping a child’s dream come true. Make a Wish’s unique holiday donation options help grant the wishes of children, creating special memories for the wish child and family. Those who adopt a wish by making a donation are provided a unique and special story of how your donation bought joy to a wish child.

My Two Front Teeth- My Two Front Teeth is a non-profit, charity organization that provides donated toys to underprivileged children in daycare, preschools and community agencies. You can donate toys online; just sign up to receive an email notification prior to the holiday season, choose a child to sponsor and purchase and donate toys to children in need via My Two Front Teeth. My Two Front Teeth offers a personalized, online gift-giving experience to aid underprivileged children. Children are selected through community organizations and allowed to individually pick their one holiday wish.

Click here to read my ABC column about how the Advertising Industry through the Ad Council and The PDFA donates its time and money to raise awareness about quality of life issues.