‘Tis the Season for Holiday Giving

Thursday, 02 December 2010 11:41

People all around the world are excited for the soon approaching holidays, which offer a chance to spend time with loved ones, cozy up next to a warm fire, and exchange gifts with family and friends.

By Nika Zecevic

Gift giving is universal this time of year, especially to the less fortunate. We know it’s impossible to donate to every worthy cause, so this year we’ve made a list of some of the organizations that allow you to give back to the less fortunate this holiday season.

For those who love the gift of sustenance: Bread of the Mighty Food Bank

Help the organization that is a Partnering Distributing Agency of Feeding America, the nation’s largest hunger-relief charity, this holiday season as they prepare hundreds of holiday meal boxes. Donate items such as canned corn, boxes of instant potato or canned milk or even visit the organization and volunteer to organize their shelves, freezers and the holiday boxes. After, the donations will be given to other non-profit groups, such as churches, that will distribute the food to people free of charge. The BOTM is located on 325 NW 10th Ave. where the donations can be dropped off from 8am - 4pm Monday thru Friday. For more information, visit breadofthemighty.org.

For children’s health advocates: STOP! Children’s Cancer, Inc

Help the non-profit organization in their 14th Annual Holiday Tradition with their effort to prevent, control and cure cancer in children by attending a performance put on by the Alachua County Youth Orchestra and the Gainesville Youth Chorus. The performance will take place at the Philips Center for the Performing Arts on Dec. 12 at 4pm Tickets for adults are $12, and $6 for children under 12. Get your tickets now here.

For those who want to brighten a child’s day: Gainesville “Gifts” Back

Help Pledge 5 Foundation, which regularly assists non-profit organizations by marketing and hosting charity events, raise toys for Toys for Tots by attending the benefit show at 9pm Dec. 2. The show will be at The Venue in downtown Gainesville and will go thru 3am on Dec.3. It will include local bands, comedians and contests, such as the Human Christmas Tree. Admission is $7 but there is no entrance fee with an unwrapped toy donation. For more information, click here.

For those who want children to have it all: Kids’ Holiday Shopping Night at the Attic

The Haven Hospice Attic Resale Store is accepting new or gently used items as well as donations of cookies and beverages for the Kids’ Holiday Shopping Night at the Attiic. Designed for children in need, the event will allow the children to purchase specially-priced gifts with their “Attic Bucks,” so that they too will have the opportunity to give a gift to their loved ones this holiday season. The event will take place Dec. 9 from 5pm - 7pm at the Attic and will include things such as gift wrapping, punch, cookies and pictures with Santa. For more information, visit havenhospice.org.

For those who want to support the community: Salvation Army’s Holiday Programs

Look for an Angel Tree by your nearest Wal-Mart, K-Mart or by JcPenney at the Oaks Mall and adopt one or more of the angels from the tree. Also, become a volunteer for the Red Kettle Program from now until Dec. 23 by standing in a location, ringing a bell and collecting donations from people passing by. The Angel Tree and the Red Kettle are both part of the Salvation Army’s Holiday Programs which help needy individuals and families. The donations will serve to later be used to buy toys and clothes for less fortunate children and families. Angels can also be adopted from one of the Salvation Army’s main office. For more information click here.

For those concerned about mothers in need: The Lyons Family 2010 Christmas Light Display

Come out Nov. 26 thru Jan. 2 to the Lyons family house to see it decorated in Christmas spirit and make donations that will go toward the Arbor House in Gainesville. Arbor house is a “living and learning motherhood community” that helps, through such things as housing, part-time employment and counseling, single mother families while the mothers are on their way to becoming self-sufficient. The Lyons house can be visited Monday- Thursday 6pm-10pm and Friday- Sunday 6pm- 11pm. The Lyons family will also be hosting a fundraiser on Dec. 11 from which all profits will also be given to the Arbor House. For more information, click here.

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