Originally Posted By tashajilek This is the first year where i am going to donate toys to needy children. I have already bought a cinderella barbie and princess pajamas and still need to find a toy for a little boy. There is also a tree at my bank where you can pick a hanging ornament where a needy child ask's for something specific. I was thinking about donating food also to the food bank. Who else like to give back for the holidays?
Originally Posted By DAR We have a giving tree at work that I've been a part of for the last 11 years.
Originally Posted By Labuda I give a lot during the holidays. Bikes for Kids is a local charity that gets a good amount from me, plus at work we sponsor a family from the Salvation Army, and then there's the time I spend volunteering and tossing dollars at Salvation Army folks. Oh, plus this time of year I give $5s to homeless people I encounter whereas the rest of the year, I give $1s or bottled water.
Originally Posted By 999HAUNTS The other day a homeless man was sitting outside of our local Subway shop. He asked me for money. I told him I would not give him money, but would buy him a sandwich if he was hungry. Usually they scoff at you because they want the money for drugs or whatever (I'm not stereotyping here...just stating what happens in MY neighborhood ). Anyway, the man was so excited that I was going to buy him a sandwich. It was the saddest thing I ever witnessed. He was super excited when I asked him what kind he wanted and what he wanted on it. I guess folks haven't been too nice to this poor man recently. So please keep in mind that you can probably make someone's day by just the tiniest of gestures if even just by giving someone something little to eat.
Originally Posted By iamsally I love that story HAUNTS. There do seem to be more hungry people recently. For many years we have saved the $1 bills we get for change during the year. Then on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day we put a couple of dollars in bags with some snacks and candies. We drive around and give them to the homeless or anyone who looks like they could use a lift. It is an up close and personal thing that sometimes leaves me in tears. (Last year we were visiting my daughter and went to downtown Seattle. When the folks saw we were passing out stuff our car was swamped. We ran out and had to say we were sorry, roll up our windows and drive away.) The sad thing this year is that I only have $4 in that drawer. We have had to spend our singles. We do have money in the bank and I will not let this tradition die until there is no one out there in worse shape than we.
Originally Posted By amazedncal2 We have always given to a local group that collects new toys and food. Through the years I've enjoyed purchasing toys and games that my kids loved and when my kids were home they would pick out toys for a child their age. This year, life it pretty hectic. I'm writing a check. It feels kind of bah humbug but I'm sure they'll need it to buy last minute things. Other than that we donate at this time to a few places such as Hospice and our Animal Shelter. Bless you who are so thoughtful
Originally Posted By tashajilek "Usually they scoff at you because they want the money for drugs or whatever (I'm not stereotyping here.." Thats my neighbourhood too! i am always looking if someone is outside a farfood place or W/E to ask if they would like something to eat but havent come across it yet. That was a vey generous deed 999! My mom was a single mother, and i remember one year we needed help and received a hamper from the salvation army with food and toys. I think im going to donate some money to them this year.
Originally Posted By chickapin 999--you are a good person. We have an "angel tree" at church to provide Christmas for a couple of families. I always do a few gifts for that. We also do a big food bank drive during the end of November at work. I put soup and tuna in the boxes there. When the kids were little I kept quarters in the car so whenever we went shopping they had a few coins to put in the Salvation Army bucket--they loved to do that. I need to get better at keeping some money in my pockets so I can do that now instead of trying to dig through my purse!
Originally Posted By wahooskipper I'm getting ready to head out to a holiday luncheon where all are encouraged to bring toys for Family Central, a local charity. Over the past 8 years or so we have donated hundreds of toys to children in need and I have several to drop off today. We also do the "Angel Trees" at church and we had our children (8 and 4) pick out two children of the same age and we will take them shopping so we can explain why it is important to help others in need.
Originally Posted By Lisann22 Give all year, amp it up for Christmas. My mom and I are going in together buy a package of animals through Heifer International. Such a wonderful organization. At my job I organize an adopt a family program. We do all the shopping and then I have a couple different employees each year delivery to the family in need. This year we are sponsoring a single mom with 4 children. I send a gift to my sponsored children through World Vision. And donate to various charities in my community. I like iamsally's annual gift giving, very nice.
Originally Posted By KatieKate123 I love to give back during the holidays. This is the first year that I am doing all of this though, usually its just one toy for toys for tots. But this year since I joined this new church, I have been doing a advent bag where we put food in it every day for two weeks (certain items like peanut butte thats on the calendar), we also will be buying 6 pounds of onions, 2 large cans of green beans, and 10 pounds of potatos for the christmas dinner that my church does for the community every year, I also got a scooter for a 12 year old boy that was on the church's christmas tree. I always give my change to the salavation army ringer guy (not a lot of money remind you but it prob adds up its like .10 here .60 here whatever change is in my pocket) Also when walmart does their give a dollar thing I always add a dollar on. It just makes me feel good inside.
Originally Posted By FenwayGirl I coordinate a program within our HR dept with United Way. We adopt families and elders...we decided 6 years ago to do this instead of buying for each other..
Originally Posted By oredisneyfan I ususally have each my girls each pick a name from a giving tree, someone the same age or close to it. This year we picked from the giving tree at the YMCA. We also donate to Toys for Tots and give food for care baskets for families in need from our neighbor hood.
Originally Posted By 999HAUNTS Hey all....my across-the-street neighbor had a great idea to collect extra blankets and jackets and sweaters to bring them to the homeless people who are staying under our freeway underpass down the street. Our neighborhood got together quite a large collection of warm goodies!! There aren't just homeless men there, but kids and whole families. My neighbor said that when he started handing our things out some of the women started crying and they told him how cold they've been over the last few evenings. He told them we would be back next week with more things. I know the homeless could be a nuisance (sp) but we should keep in mind that some of these folks are not drug addicts but are families who lost their jobs and homes. They are very thankful for anything that will warm them up and fill their bellies.
Originally Posted By KatieKate123 THat is very sad actually. It breaks my heart. Though we technically live in the poor area of northern virginia I can tell you I don't see to many homeless people only like 1 or 2 and those guys are drunks who sit out front of the supermarcdo. We have a lot of shelters and things for people here who need help, and i do donate to those. Also our churches open up their doors if needed. I think thats what a church is all about. My church actually does a christmas day dinner for the community which is free. Though we are invited to go we won't be going (it's a family day) but we are donating some food towards it.
Originally Posted By Labuda "I know the homeless could be a nuisance (sp) but we should keep in mind that some of these folks are not drug addicts but are families who lost their jobs and homes. They are very thankful for anything that will warm them up and fill their bellies." Exactly.
Originally Posted By Ursula I do Toys for Tots. My department is sponsoring a family. This year, we have a single mom, two girls, and the mom's boyfriend. They are so young, the boyfriend asked for a game for the Xbox. How I wish that was in our budget but he's got a nice new set of clothes/shoes/jacket and Monopoly now. (All were also on his wish-list so I'm not being mean.) We had $100 to spend on each person. I am a great shopper, but that was hard. How do you choose between a warm coat and a Barbie???? I love doing this each year. I've become the go-to girl for raising money in our department. I like robbing people very much and I have no shame when it comes to poor children at Christmas. Plus, I know what these people make... I know that sounds silly, but come on. If you can buy your non-working wife a new car each year, you can give me $20 for this family once a year. I promise I am tactful, too. I don't pressure the guys with two ex-wives. Well, not too hard, anyway. Tomorrow is the wrapping party and that is such a total hoot, too. All departments get-together and we wrap up a frenzy.
Originally Posted By tashajilek Wow ursula sounds like a really nice thing to do. It great that you can go shopping and pick out specifics for people. "We had $100 to spend on each person. I am a great shopper, but that was hard. How do you choose between a warm coat and a Barbie????" That would be very hard. Hopefully the family will be better off for next christmas
