where to donate this holiday season

by Ida Rowe 6 min read

Around the holiday season, you can usually spot Goodwill bins and donation drives throughout different neighborhoods. The process of giving to this organization is fairly easy: gather your clothes, box them up, and bring that box to a Goodwill location.

Below are some opportunities where you can help make someone's holidays a little bit brighter this year!
  • Angel Tree. Photo via @rockpapafan. ...
  • Make-A-Wish. Photo via @batkidbegins. ...
  • Pay Away the Layaway. Photo via @payawaythelayaway. ...
  • Christmas Spirit Foundation. ...
  • Family Giving Tree. ...
  • Project Linus. ...
  • Operation Blessing. ...
  • Meals on Wheels.
Jan 27, 2022

Full Answer

What are some charities to give to this holiday season?

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What can I do to give back this holiday season?

Seven ways to give back during the holidaysSet up a holiday food drive. Get your neighbors together and start a neighborhood food drive. ... Teach your kids about hunger. ... Give a gift that gives back. ... Volunteer! ... Express your gratitude. ... Make a difference online. ... Send warm holiday wishes to a family facing hunger.Dec 4, 2019

Where can I donate around Christmas time?

Top 10 Charities That Help Children at Christmas Time01 of 10. St. Jude. ... 02 of 10. Pay Away the Layaway. ... 03 of 10. Project Linus. ... 04 of 10. One Simple Wish. ... 05 of 10. Toys for Tots. ... 06 of 10. Operation Christmas Child. ... 07 of 10. Make-A-Wish Foundation. ... 08 of 10. Prison Fellowship Angel Tree.More items...•Dec 8, 2021

How can I help less fortunate at Christmas?

Perform simple, random acts of kindnessGive a generous tip to a friendly customer service worker like a waiter or barista.Buy a homeless person a sandwich and a hot drink.Help someone who's struggling with their luggage on public transport.Give up your seat to someone on busy public transport.More items...

How do you give back to the community at Christmas?

10 Easy Ways Your Family Can Spread Christmas CheerVolunteer for the Salvation Army. ... Adopt a Family. ... Make Christmas Treats and Visit House-Bound Neighbors. ... Buy Presents to Donate to Toys for Tots. ... Send a Letter to a Solider. ... Donate a Bedtime Story. ... Collect Food for Your Local Food Shelf. ... Support a Local Fundraiser.More items...•Dec 7, 2015

Is Toys for Tots a good charity?

Did you know that Toys for Tots is a top rated charity? 97% of your donation goes to our mission of providing toys, books and other gifts to less fortunate children. The 3% spent on support principally covers fundraising expenses – not one donated dollar goes to pay for salaries or any other manpower costs.

Is Feeding America a good charity?

Charitable Ratings Charity Navigator has awarded Feeding America a four-star rating for ten consecutive evaluations. Only 3% of charities evaluated by Charity Navigator have received ten consecutive four-star evaluations.

How can I donate my kids for Christmas?

Contact your local Catholic Charities, Lutheran Social Services or Salvation Army or visit volunteermatch.org to be matched with your recipient(s), ideally similar in age to your own children. After you learn the specifics about your recipient(s) (age, gender, etc.), brainstorm gift ideas with your family.

How do I find an angel tree near me?

To find out how to display an Angel Tree at your place of business or to locate a tree in your community, contact your local Salvation Army office. You can find the facility closest to where you live by entering your ZIP code in the location finder at SalvationArmyUSA.org.

How do you give someone a gift?

If you are wondering how to give a donation as a gift:Make sure the recipient will be comfortable receiving this as a gift.Pick a charity that supports something that is meaningful to them.Write a card that highlights why you selected this certain charity for them.More items...

Can gray hair be donated?

Adults and children can donate hair. You may need to find out if an organization will or will not take hair that's been colored, permed, highlighted, bleached, or dreadlocked. Also, some organizations accept gray hair or hair with a certain percentage of gray in it, while others don't accept it at all.Apr 26, 2018

How can I get free toys for Christmas?

Two of the primary providers include Salvation Army Family Services (which operates in most towns and counties) as well as the programs from Society of Saint Vincent de Paul. Toys, gifts, and other free Christmas services (including money or free gift cards) are part of Salvation Army Christmas Giving Programs.

How can I help the less privileged?

Below are the numerous ways you can give or help the less privileged.Identify any local orphanage, or an orphan or the less privileged. ... The second thing is to establish contact. ... Buy the child a new toothbrush anytime you visit or.Buy the child a toothpaste anytime you visit or.More items...•Feb 19, 2020

What can I do to give back to the community?

7 Ways to Give Back to the CommunityDonate Your Time. ... A Random Act of Kindness for A Neighbor. ... Participate in Fundraisers and Charity Events. ... Help a child in need. ... Volunteer at your local senior living community. ... Plant a tree. ... Recycle your Plastic at a local Recycling Center.Feb 20, 2019

What are some websites that help fight hunger?

Help fight hunger and donate to one of the many food programs in your area. Websites like Feeding America, Food Pantries and Meals on Wheels can connect you with organizations and their needs.

What does Ronald McDonald House do?

The Ronald McDonald House provides housing, support and other resources for families of sick children to keep them together and near the medical care they need. To help these families, you can donate food, new toys and/or household supplies. Your local RMDH Chapter may also have a wish list with more specific items needed in your area.

What is angel tree?

The Angel Tree Program provides new clothing and toys to children in need. Each angel tag lists a wished-for gift, along with that child’s age, gender and first name. These paper tags are then placed onto Christmas trees in high traffic areas like shopping malls, businesses and churches for anyone to take, purchase a gift and return to the tree.

How many hours a day does the Red kettle campaign last?

The Red Kettle Campaign is the Salvation Army’s single biggest fundraiser of the entire year, supporting year-round service programs. Volunteer as an individual or group to help keep the bell ringing through the season for six days a week and more than 12 hours a day! You will need to get in contact with your local or regional Salvation Army Chapter to get more information about volunteering in your area.

What is Marine Toys for Tots?

The Marine Toys for Tots Program allows members of the community to donate new, unwrapped toys into collection boxes at local business. The toys are taken to a warehouse, where coordinators of the program work with local welfare agencies and churches to distribute the toys to children in need.

How to spend time with nursing home residents?

Spend some quality time with the residents of nursing homes and retirement communities by listening to their stories, playing games, crafting, cooking and enjoying many other activities. Get in contact with your local homes and see where and when there is a need.

What is Samaritan's Purse?

Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child Program involves filling a shoe box with goodies to send to children in need around the world. You can choose an age range and gender of the child you wish to help, then grab a shoe box to fill with toys, school supplies and/or hygiene products. Boxes can be taken to a local drop off during National Collections Week Nov. 18-25.

What is Elizabeth's Hope?

Elizabeth’s Hope and The Children’s Brain Tumor Project of the Weill Cornell Pediatric Brain and Spine Center work tirelessly to bring hope to patients and families whose children have received heartbreaking diagnoses, through their work with genomic data that allows for personalized tumor therapy, helping to innovate treatment in an area that has been historically underserved. To boot: the project is powered by families and receives minimal funding from major foundations and government agencies. Generosity here ensures that those who might be overlooked received the support they need." —Roxanne Adamiyatt, Senior Digital Editor

Why is the press important in the 2020 election?

"The 2020 election underlined the importance of a free press to a functioning democracy. In the face of relentless attacks on the media and widespread disinformation campaigns by both domestic and foreign actors on all manner of issues, but especially the legitimacy of the electoral process, reporters kept the American public informed without fear or favor so they could make smart decisions about the future of the country. For that, and so much more, they have my undivided support, as does the Committee to Protect Journalists, an organization dedicated to a heroic mission increasingly under attack. CPJ deserves your support, too." —Erik Maza, Style Features Director

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Popular Christmas Campaigns

  • THE SALVATION ARMY ANGEL TREE
    The Angel Tree Programprovides new clothing and toys to children in need. Each angel tag lists a wished-for gift, along with that child’s age, gender and first name. These paper tags are then placed onto Christmas trees in high traffic areas like shopping malls, businesses and churches f…
  • THE SALVATION ARMY RED KETTLE
    The Red Kettle Campaignis the Salvation Army’s single biggest fundraiser of the entire year, supporting year-round service programs. Volunteer as an individual or group to help keep the bell ringing through the season for six days a week and more than 12 hours a day! You will need to g…
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Medical & Disaster Relief

  • RONALD McDONALD HOUSE
    The Ronald McDonald Houseprovides housing, support and other resources for families of sick children to keep them together and near the medical care they need. To help these families, you can donate food, new toys and/or household supplies. Your local RMDH Chapter may also have …
  • ST. JUDE CHILDREN’S RESEARCH HOSPITAL
    St. Judeleads the way in treating childhood cancer and other life-threatening illness. Their research and treatments have increased the survival rate of childhood cancer by 60% since opening in 1962. Thanks to support from donors, families never receive a bill for treatment, trave…
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Military & First Responder

  • OPERATION CHRISTMAS SPIRIT
    Operation Help a Herohas many ways to give this season through its Operation Christmas Spirit program. The organization aims to help military families and units as they prepare to separate, during deployment and during their transition back home. There are many ways to donate throu…
  • OPERATION HOMEFRONT
    Operation Homefrontoffers programs that provide relief, resiliency and recurring family support so military families can thrive in the communities they work to protect. During the holidays, they run two programs: Holiday Meals for Military, which provides a dinner kit including turkey, stuffing a…
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Animals

  • WORLD WILDLIFE FUND
    The World Wildlife Fundhas been a leading conservation organization for more than 50 years. They work to protect and restore species and their habitats, in addition to other conservation efforts. The WWF offers symbolic species adoptions, where you can donate towards an animal …
  • ANIMAL SHELTERS
    Animal shelters are almost always in need of donations. Items like blankets, towels and dish soap are often needed as much as toys, treats and food. Check with your local animal shelter to see what items are currently on their wish list. Some shelters have even started a program where yo…
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Schools

  • DONATE SUPPLIES TO SCHOOLS
    Schools don’t always have enough funding to provide the supplies your children need, so teachers will often use their own money to fill the void. This could be classroom basics like writing utensils and notebooks to supplies for activities and projects. Ask your local schools or check out websit…
  • PAY A STUDENTS LUNCH DEBT
    School lunch debts are rising and no child should be denied a meal because of that. Call in to one of your local schools to see if there is anyway to donate and help cover even one child’s debt.
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Other Ways to Help Locally

  • SHELTERS
    Look into local shelters that provide support for the homeless, including youth; families; single women; men; veterans; women and children who are victims of domestic violence; and transitional housing. The Homeless Shelter Directorycan help you find shelters near you and pro…
  • FOOD BANKS, SOUP KITCHENS & MEALS ON WHEELS
    Help fight hunger and donate to one of the many food programs in your area. Websites like Feeding America, Food Pantries and Meals on Wheelscan connect you with organizations and their needs. You can also volunteer at many of these locations. Even if you can’t make a long-ter…
See more on ruffandrenew.com