THE GIFT OF GIVING IS THE BEST GIFT OF THEM ALL♥
As so many of us start our festive planning and gift giving, we can be drawn to thoughts of those less fortunate during the holidays. There are always people, families and children in need for one reason or another. A little extra time or gifts can go a long way to making this season bright for all. Check out these special organizations to help you find the best way for you to give back. Here's are list of 7 Spectacular Ways to Give Back this Season
1. RONALD MCDONALD HOUSES AND FAMILY ROOMS
Meals from the Heart/Cookies from the Heart
Your family or friends’ groups can volunteer with the local RMHC Meals from the Heart program - an opportunity to create and serve home-cooked meals for families staying at the Ronald McDonald Houses. If you are more of a baker, Cookies from the Heart volunteers bake tasty treats in the RMH kitchens for visitors.
2. FEED MY STARVING CHILDREN
Kids and adults of all ages can come together to hand-pack nutritious meals specifically designed to assist in reversing and preventing undernutrition. Meals are then donated to food partners around the world to help save lives. Upcoming local packing events are listed on their website. www.fmsc.org
3. CAL’S ANGELS ST. CHARLES
Help bring joy to the faces of local kids fighting cancer by participating in their annual toy and gift card drive (November-January). These toys and cards are brought to Chicago area hospitals year-round to the patients and their siblings to brighten up their world. www.calsangels.org
4. BRIDGE COMMUNITIES GLEN ELLYN
Consider adopting a homeless family that is in the Bridge Communities’ Traditional Housing Program this holiday season. When you make a donation, Bridge will provide a gift card(s) to a Bridge mom so she can shop for her family for her family’s holiday needs. www.bridgecommunities.org
5. LOCAL TOYS FOR TOTS DRIVE
Spread the joy of Christmas. Toys for Tots is the best way to get toys to children in need during the holidays. Each county has their own toy drive and own website listing toy drop-off locations, events and volunteer opportunities. www.toysfortots.org
6. DUPAGE PADS
Especially during the winter months, it is imperative to find shelter for our homeless. Volunteering with DuPage Pads at one of their many shelter locations puts you directly in touch with those in need and helps provide them a safe place to eat and rest. www.dupagepads.org
7. OPERATION SUPPORT OUR TROOPS
Let our troops overseas know you are thinking of them. OSOT has many ways for you to get involved from packing comfort and care packages to organizing your own local collection and letter-writing campaigns, or while out shopping, pick up a few of the items on their needed donations list and find one of their local drop-off
locations. www.osotamerica.org
Flip through the Pages of Glancer Magazine, December 2019
