Posted on 12/03/2009 11:42:48 AM PST by AUJenn
My husband and I have decided this year not to give each other extravagant Christmas gifts, and are not going to be able to purchase large presents for his or my extended family either. We will only be able to give simple, useful, needed items for close family and friends.
Instead, we would like to do something for a needy, struggling family. We'd prefer to do it anonymously and be able to provide them with a nice holiday. We just don't need "things" this year, and I'd much rather help out someone who does. We both feel that the true meaning of Christmas has been lost in the last few years with the crazy chaos of gifts and everyone trying to out-do each other.
Could any Freepers suggest a reputable organization or group that I could get in touch with about this? If you've worked with a group that helps with Christmas donations such as this, I'd appreciate any ideas.
You might want to try what my sister and her husband are doing this year. They also decided not to buy for each other. They are each filling a laundry basket with nonperishible special foods and some gifts. She then plans to take them to her parish priest and ask him to donate them to a family in need in the parish.
Perhaps you could take such a basket to your pastor/minister.
How about donating money to a Senior Citizens organization. We did that last Christmas. They not only provide meals, but at Christmas, they provide baskets with needy items and often don’t have the money for everyone to get the small gifts. Rarely to giving families think of the older folks living alone.
That is a great idea, thank you. Something I will definitely consider.
Wounded Warrior Project is my suggestion. You will be helping young military families.
I am the secretary and a case worker with Operation First Response. We help support our wounded Heroes returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. If you would like to help a wounded Hero who is struggling financially (and his family) this year - that would be so very helpful. If you want to find out more about us - we are www.operationfirstresponse.org - you can contact us if you need further info - all contact information is on our site. You are so grateful and generous to think of doing something like this no matter who you choose to donate too!
We usually give through the Salvation Army. If you want to have fun and actually buy presents instead of just a cash gift, call up a Salvation Army shelter and ask how many children are being housed there, ages, and gender...then go buy presents for those kids. We usually do that, or they also appreciate food at this time of year for their Holiday dinners.
The USO!!
The Human Fund: Money for People
Contact your local American Legion Auxiliary. Merry Christmas to you!
Our church has an annonymous -adopt a family(children), or- adopt a child. You choose. And when you choose, say adopt a child, they give you a list of size of clothing, coat/jacket, jeans, shoes, socks underwear, blouses, and one toy, etc for a boy or a girl (you choose). If you can’t do a whole adoption, but want to help, you can simply donate one item. Say a pair of jeans etc or one toy etc.
By doing this, we are assured the money stays in our community and helps those in need, in our community. We never find out, and don’t ask, the identity.
You could also donate cases of veggies/soup etc to a local soup kitchen, church etc.
And of course the troops are always needing calling cards!
I also liked Glenn Becks’ guest the other day, the Christmas jar. A jar (your choice of size) filled with lose money you have gathered all year. Then anonymously leave it on someone’s doorstep, that you know is struggling. I will also do that next year!
Doesn’t the red cross accept monetary donations for blankets etc for disasters?
This is wonderful that you are doing this. My birthday is this week. For my birthday and my Christmas gift, my husband makes donations in the amount he would spend on gifts for me to Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation. Their donations are down so much right now.
Ask a local church or senior citizens center for recomendations. I'm sure they will have more than you can handle, and it will be people in your own neighborhood.
I don’t know if you would be interested in helping Indian orphans, but our church supports the mission work, the Children’s Fellowship of India. A number of our members have visited the work in India and one of the directors regularly worships at our congregation. All money donated goes to the work and not administration. These are young boys who have lost both parents or one parent has died and the other is unable to raise them.
I greatly appreciate all these suggestions and am writing them all down. It is heartwarming to see your kindness and the willingness to help others. I don’t know why, but the last couple of years I have just felt that the real meaning of Christmas was disappearing. When I’d go into the mall or a store, people just seemed tired, grumpy and stressed out rather than joyful about the season. We had some situations with family with “gift drama” and “keeping up with the Joneses” type deal that was unpleasant.
I’m glad to keep it simple this year and reflect on the true meaning of the season.
All of these are great ideas. If you need another one, I’d suggest Toys for Tots.
Semper Fi
Our office donates items (from a wish list the home provides) to a senior citizen’s home in which the residents do not have money and many have no family or visitors. Usually the items requested are very simple things like socks, sweatshirts and pants, slippers, hats, and gloves.
Contact your local Dept of Family and Children services and adopt a family. We have done this for years (except this year, we are barely getting our kids anything this year) and it’s so rewarding! Most families are really nice and will share pictures with you of the kids opening up Santa on Christmas morning. One year I discovered my family was my daughter’s daycare teacher who was working full time with her daughter and going to school to become a teacher herself. I was proud to help this fine young woman and someone who took such good care of my little one too.
Salvation Army
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