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December Challenge
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And doing a Toys for Tots drive and canned food drive! Cannot wait- stories to come :)
I do a variety of things year-round, am on several non-profit boards and volunteer with several arts organizations to take music to schools that no longer have arts programs funded by the school district. At this time of year I particularly do two things.
1) I go to the grocery specifically to buy for the "food for families" barrel. I buy a variety of basic nonperishable staples (spaghetti, rice, beans, soups, cereal, etc), but also buy at least one box of brownie mix, because no matter how poor you are you deserve a treat at this time of year, especially.
2) I pick a name from the "giving tree" for a senior citizen and try to give them a nice Christmas. This year I picked a gentleman who wants pajamas and slippers.
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And to make a note- I am currently sitting in a nicely lit, warm starbucks WHICH has a drive going on. It is like Toys for Tots- but basically you can drop toys at your local Starbucks! And I know most of you like coffee, why else would you be in Coffee and Books ;)
Great idea!Tonight I bought the latest humble bundle. Humblebundle.com is a website that sells bundles of video games (or sometimes books) and you can pay whatever you want. If you pay above the average than you get an extra game or two. The best part is that you get to choose where your money goes- to charity, to the creators of the games, or to Humble Bundle. You can split it up however you want. Today I had all my money go towards charity. Their charities for the current bundle are Child's Play Charity & American Red Cross. If you're a gamer, or know someone who is, I highly recommend checking it out!
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And a new update for me- I am currently raising money to go towards a charity with family. It is going to be a christmas gift from all of us to a charity. It is a great way to get a donation out, getting people involved.
Cheers xx
I have a lot going on right now , so I have no spare time this month. But my local library has a box set up for a local animal shelter , for food and supplies. I went and bought dishes , collars, toys and blankets. And when I get a chance to get to a store I'll pick up some huge bags of food. I won't be buying Christmas gifts this year , so I decided to put some of that money to good use.
In our immediate family, we don't exchange gifts but give the money to some charity instead. We love getting together for dinner and good times. Gifts aren't missed at all.For Christmas, I've given to World Vision, a local shelter for homeless teens and contributed towards gift baskets for kids in hospital over the holidays.
I'll also be going to the Foodbank with donation of food and money. Book Concierge, I love the idea of adding a brownie mix. That's much warmer than the usual cookies and such that I bring along. I'll be adding some treats like this to my contribution as well this year. Thanks for the great addition.
We are donating tie blankets to Children's inn.
Mod
Great great great gift idea! Extremely useful!
Petra wrote: "In our immediate family, we don't exchange gifts but give the money to some charity instead. We love getting together for dinner and good times. Gifts aren't missed at all.
For Christmas, I've giv..."
That is Great Petra!!!
Kel wrote: "I have a lot going on right now , so I have no spare time this month. But my local library has a box set up for a local animal shelter , for food and supplies. I went and bought dishes , collars, t..."
Wow, thats is great!
For this particular challenge I wanted to open my arms personally and help out something. Giving is much more rewarding then receiving and this holiday season, why don't you try it too? There are so many ways you can give your time in your community. You can volunteer in shelters, local areas that need help, help around a church. Even if you are not particularly religious. churches are a great way to meet new people and partake in rebuildings. ( Side story: I took a trip to Mexico with a church - and I am not said "religious" and it was life changing. I dont know a lick of spanish but I went down there and built an orphanage. AND I was 15. It was the most rewarding experience) You can donate money to charities via THE INTERNET- Hello!!! How easy is that! If youre too busy, check out some of the charities I linked below, and you too can help out! Are you a homebody? Thats cool! Why dont you invite some of the neighborhood children over for cookies and read them a story? Or donate books you have out grown. Donate clothing, shoes, toys anything you can. And you don't have to go out and buy new things! That is always nice, but you can give what you have too, especially to the Goodwill.
Those are just a few things you can do. Possibilities are ENDLESS. And every penny counts. You may say "Hrmph- I wont make a difference" but you will. You will make a HUGE difference.
I know we are not ALL from the United States, we have a lot of people from around the world here. So find something local that you can put a few hours into, drop some old clothes, books, shoes and toys off, or find a charity you find strong about.
For those who are Beauty junkies- check out Lush.com, you can but products (ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY!!!) and it goes to a cause. How great is that!
Send a card to a solider overseas, to a child that is sick in the hospital. Its about spreading cheer and helping others.
But some other ideas are:
Charities-
Goodwill.org
Redcross.org
ASPCA.org
You can always go local! Those are just a few strong well known charities. All three with a different aim, helping different causes.
Check around, look in coffee shops for upcoming events, do a walk for (whatever), fundraise and send the funds to a charity that sparks your interest.
Anything. No amount is too little.
It is about coming together.
Happy Holidays and December everyone. And I do truly love this group and everyone in it inspires me to never give up and to never give up on humanity and people.
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To participate-
Please say what you are doing to help out!
The charity, the hours you volunteer, where you did it.
Just let us know how you are helping!
And maybe even include a story- if ya feel like it!