Add a Charity to Your Christmas Gift List

While we enjoy the Christmas season with those we love, and while we race around town trying to find the perfect gifts for family and friends, why not take a moment to think of those less fortunate during the holidays. Add a charity to your Christmas gift list.

Some excellent charities to think about are:

The Salvation Army

Every Christmas, the Salvation Army hold their annual "Red Kettle" campaign. You can often find their officers or volunteers standing on streets, braving the cold (in some instances), or in shopping malls, ringing their bells in hopes that kind passers-by will be generous enough to help fill their kettles with cash. The Salvation Army operates in 117 countries, helping those less fortunate. Whenever there is a need, whether it be due to the forces of nature, such as hurricanes, cyclones, earthquakes or wars, you will always find the Salvation Army there to help. They provide the people with much needed care and supplies. They're also helping in our own communities, assisting shut-ins, the homeless, helping families overcome obstacles and very trying times in their lives. They provide Christmas dinners and small gift packages for those who can't otherwise afford to give their families a good Christmas. However, their efforts can only continue with the kind donations of the average person. So why not drop a few dollars into one of their kettles as you do your own Christmas shopping. They are also grateful for whatever donation you can make by cheque, throughout the year.

Our Soldiers Overseas

A good majority of our soldiers and military personel won't be home for Christmas. They will be celebrating the holidays amongst gun fire and dire conditions, along with their fellow soldiers. The holidays can be a very lonely and depressing time for them, so far from home and loved ones. A small gift, cards and/or letters, given with thought and kindness can put a smile on their faces, and a warm feeling in the hearts. It lets them know that they are being thought of and appreciated for the sacrifices that they're making on OUR behalf. It can bring "home" closer to them, if even for a short while. There are many sites on the internet that will direct you in knowing where and how to send your gift to soldiers overseas. You can also call one of your local government agencies for instructions and names of soldiers that you can send a little bit of cheer to this Christmas.

Animal Shelters

Although animals have no idea that it's the holiday season, Christmas is a good time to share love and kindness with animals that will be spending the holidays within the confines of a cage in a shelter, instead of with a loving family. Your local animal shelter is always in need of donations year long, whether it be a bag or can of cat or dog food, monetary donations, or even something as simple as a small blanket or towels. Animal shelters are always in need of these items. Try to make the holidays a bit more comfortable for those unfortunate creatures who aren't able to fend for themselves.

Soup Kitchens

Most major cities have soup kitchens. With the economy on a downslide, there will probably be more and more people who will find themselves in need of such facilities this Christmas. For a small donation of $10 or $20, you could possibly feed an entire family, giving them a good nutritious holiday meal. If you happen to have some spare time, soup kitchens can also use a helping hand in cooking, serving and cleaning during the holidays.

Food Banks

While you might be sitting down to a nice turkey dinner, with all the trimmings, try to think of those who aren't as fortunate. Often, during the winter months, and especially around holiday time, the food banks find that their shelves are near empty, or in fact bare . Many grocery stores or shopping malls have a barrel or container where customers can drop off a few food items, which then go to the food bank. While you're doing your own shopping, pick up a few extra cans or boxes of nutritious, non-perishable food items to donate. You can also drop these off yourself at your local food bank.

Hospitals and Senior Citizen Homes

The hospital can be a very daunting and lonely place to be at the best of times. It's worse if you happen to find yourself (especially for young children) there during the holidays. While shopping, you might possibly want to purchase a toy or plush, stuffed animal to give to a child laying in a hospital bed. A plush toy can offer them a lot of comfort while they recover from an illness or surgery. As well, don't forget the elderly. Many of our aged citizens find themselves alone. It's especially worse during the holidays. If you are able, take a moment to visit a senior citizen home. You can either bring a small gift or a potted plant (for example) to give to one of the residents. Or, you can just bring yourself. Senior citizens are very appreciative of having someone to talk to. The gift of yourself can bring a lot of joy to someone who is without a family over the holidays.

This is just a gentle reminder of a few ideas for charities that you might like to help this year, although you might already have your own favorite charity in mind, just as long as you give. Giving not only makes the recipient feel good during the holiday season, but it can give yourself a tremendous uplifting as well, for it is a true blessing to give to others.