What do you do for Charity?

[woodmizer]

So Christmas is about giving and I was wondering what everyone does for charity if anything. We donate our haunted house money to Toys for Tots program and we also do the Christmas Tree Angel.

[Ms. Parker]

You sure do Play, I mean fore, I mean woody... :)

I make the kids weed through their unused toys to donate to Goodwill.

This year, I'd also like to help out at the local homeless shelter. They are always looking for donations and time, not just at Christmas but year round.

In England, I made a monthly donation (via direct debit) to an organization called the NSPCC (National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children). Of course, that was several years ago and I've not yet done anything here on a regular basis yet. I tend to donate here and there when an occasion arises.

[Sickie Ickie]

We never have the time or money to do much. I guess we're our own charity.

[Mummy deer-est]

I would really love to help a charity around this time -- we even collected canned food at our halloween party. Didn't think anyone would bring any, but got over 30 cans. Now I just have to figure out who will take them (a whole other story.)

But.....how is this idea....very very begining stages....
I would erect a "scene" on the yard, with elves, a big (or a few) boxes of wood dressed as presents, the big man (holding a list of "good" names), maybe mrs. big man :). Would add a sign asking for donations to santas box (money?) or to Mrs. C's (canned goods?) Once a donation was made into one of the present boxes, I would go out and actually add the name of the donator to his list.
We are in a very nice neighborhood, so vandalism would be a very very unlikely occurance. And a lot of kids walk right past our house from the bus -- I think they would love to see their names like that!
I know there is so much to think about and tweak, but what do you think?

[spookineer]

Since our children are long since grown and gone, there's nobody here to buy toys for. Usually the first weekend of December we go on a shopping spree till we can't cram one more Barbie doll in the back of the wagon. Then we take it to our local fire house for their annual toy drive. The best part is, we don't have to wrap them!
Another thing we do is for the local womens shelter. This time of year seems to breed more domestic violence so there are more in need. Most women arrive with little more than the clothes on their backs and babes in arms. We travel quite a bit during the year and stay in lots of hotels. My wife collects up the little bottles of shampoo and other amenities and saves them all year, they add up! Tomorrow she'll be dropping them off at the shelter along with many small gift items she picks up during the year.

[Mistress Muffy]

Thats very neat Spookineer....I use to volunteer in a Battered Womens Shelter & yes the Holidays do seem to be a time when there are a lot of occurences.

Mummy ...I like your idea too!

For me I started taking trays of candy to the homeless shelter & plan on taking one for Thanksgiving & one for Xmas. The Catholic church here cooks once a month for the homeless shelter & that is when I take my candy.......I just started doing that a few months ago.


Muffy

[woodmizer]

LOL........Thanks Ms P. for your donation!! We give old toys to goodwill also.

Nothing wrong with that SI, we all have fallen on hard times and have had to do what we can to make it right, as long as you take care of your family first thats what its all about.

Good idea Spook, I never would have thought of a battered wife shelter, good for you!

Some of the money we make for the fire dept. haunted hause is donated to the womans club here in town, and they also make donations to shelters but im not sure what shelters.

[lyssa-anne]

Those are all great ideas!
Mummy - your idea is great, wish I could do something like that..we live in the country so that would not work here, but I think its a great idea!
This year I would like to donate some toys .

[bethene]

I give to toys for tots,and sometimes angel tree, and I also do a charity that is called Christmas Child, shoe box ministry. You either use a regualr shoe box, or a rubbermaid one (which is better, because that can be put to use too), they are sent all over the world, for kids that have nothing, I put soap, toothpaste and brush, small toys, school supplies,candy, fit as much as I can in the box, It is really quite fun, I am on the look out all year to find things, it then doesn't cost as much, I am doing 4 this year, , you have to add $7.00 for shipping costs, I have to get them to the shipping place in the next week or so, it takes a while to get there. I enjoy doing those so much!

[chris]

This year will be my first time using my Christmas display to raise food and toys. Every year we buy some for Child Protective Services and this year I thought I would try my christmas display. If it turns out to be a hit I will try even harder next year for those in need! To bring joy to little ones just melts my hart every child deserves a toy on christmas.
I remember at one time in are lives that my mom had to go down and pick up some toys for me and my brother and it was one of the best Christmas's ever, it would be nice at my age to thank them and let them know how much it meant to me and my brother. Their help as helped me help others.

[Wiggy]

I really wish I could do more, but for now I donate to Toys for Tots and the Salvation Army.

[imsarahmiley]

To my mind, do charity but make it secret. there is no need to show up it. This is my own thought which I had share.

Thanks

[Guest]

For many years, I gave either time/ $ to various organizations. Unfortunately, I had a few bad experiences that left a bad taste in my mouth. There are people in this world who think they are 'deserving' of charity and step on toes to get it. So sad. I miss 'giving'; really made me feel better. And I don't want to leave the impression that I sit in judgement of who is worthy of charity and who is not- that's not what it is. I just don't like my generosity being taken advantage of.

[Sickie Ickie]

I understand Ellen. When I was younger I had a roomie who brought in 6(!) hillbillies from the boonies of somewhere in FL. She asked me before hand if it was okay, I said No. Anyway, she did and they were AWFUL! I moved out and got the authorities involved. Long story short, I couldn't STAND hearing a southern accent for a long time after that. I got over it, but I know where you're coming from.

[imsarahmiley]

So for the conclusion, we should directly helped to the person who is really need it.