Christmas Charity, what do you do?

[debilorrah]

Kat that is awesome! As a former Administrator for an Assisted Living facility, those people really appreciate people like you coming in for them. Half the time they think you are family and they haven't seen family for years so it makes their year!!!!

 

[redhen]

Quote:
Thanks again!..another percentage of people that get nothing are the elderly...you should see the joy you put on a elderly persons face with a simple visit and card...or a bag of sweets..and mostly just lend an ear to them..ask them about their lives..etc.....i'm telling you..try it!..you will go back to visit them again once you see how you brighten their day...so many of them have no family to visit them..they sit in their rooms all day, 24/7, with CNA's rushing in and out of the room...(they dont have the time to sit with the patients...their work load is to much!!...)..i remember when i worked in nursing homes..i used to have bring in clothes to donate to them....the ones with no families had rags to wear...the same 2 outfits..no socks...no warm nighties...it used to kill me..many a time i went home in tears...please visit them also!!!...ask the nurses and aides who has no family they will know...try something differant this year...make an elderly pesons last christmas memorable for them...please and thanks, Wendy

 

[65browneyes]

Our local Mission always does a food drive at Thanksgiving. They have volunteers standing outside the grocery stores in town with a list of items for a traditional T-Day meal. For the last 20 years, we've provided a meal for a family through that program. This year, we were able to provide 2.

At Christmas time, we always do the Angel Tree program through Wal Mart. We have 3 kids and choose a boy and girl the age of my younger 2 and randomly choose a 3rd ornament from the tree because the oldest is 24.

My Girl Scout troop has adopted a local family in dire need this year. We always do something during the holidays, but this is the first time we've adopted a family. We'll provide food, gifts, help with the gas bill to get the heat back on, and even the tree itself. We even have two girls working on quilts for the child as well as mom and dad.

My kids and the girls in the troop love helping and it's good for them to realize not every body is as fortunate as we are.

Also wanted to add regarding the elderly; two years ago, we knew my FIL was dying during the Christmas season. He was in a care facility. One night, a family none of us knew knocked on the door and asked if they could come in for a moment. They carried a holiday bag full of wrapped gifts. The children greeted everyone in the room and the mom and dad spoke to my FIL as if they were long lost buddies. They wished us all a Merry Christmas as they left the room.

We asked the nurses about this family, and were told they came every year, with gifts for every patient. My FIL was deeply touched by their warmth.

 

[momofdrew]

our church gives gifts for the children of incarcerated parents...also we have a weekly food drive to go to the food pantry all year round and we give to the pastors discretionary fund...
because my son is leaving for Iraq on Wednesday we are also going to send boxes of goodies to his platoon and to Troy's Place which I found here on BYC ramblings... that is through the army chaplins ministry...if you look it up you can find a list of what they need desperately...

the Address is
Troy's Place
332 AEW/HC
APO AE 09315-9997

it costs 10.95 to ship and you can get the flat rate box at the post office and fill it with homemade goodies or stuff at the dollar store...and send christmas gards to them all...you can get your kids to make homemade cards etc

 

[risurocket]

Quote:
This is what my family does also. Right now a friend of mine has a Heifer team going and his goal is to raise 30,000 dollars. He's at over 20,000 right now. He will match all funds donated until December 11th. Giving a gift of baby chicks is only $20.00.
Check it out! http://heifer.kintera.org/faf/donorreg/donorpledge.asp?ievent=178641&supId=237599167

 

[Ol'FashionHen]

We adopt an angel every year, we send two shoe boxes to operation Christmas child, I donate money towards Thanksgiving baskets, money to Yates Mission Fund @ church, money to Feed the Children, and put some money in the Salvation Army bucket ( my 16 yo son even puts some of his own money in the buckets when we come out of the store) he's a good boy

. It may not be much that we are able to donate but I figure every little bit will help.

 

[coffeemama]

Things are super tight this year, but we always do a tree of giving type thing for a child. My mom and I go in together, so it's not as much $$ for me. I have done this for many years-it's not much, but it does help clothe a child.

 

[GPN]

I help with Relay For Life all year long! I have been on the committee 5 th year now and I am a team caption for Friends & Family Team, I am the online chair, www.relayforlife.org/blountal to give and help our Goal! This site has not been up longis why we have little right now!
All money raised helps cancer survivors and those battleing now with research, medical visits, and most of all EDUCATION of Cancer to others!

I wore many hats but withthe ankle being bummed right now I am glad I am only Online Chair and Committee member right now!

 

[SewingDiva]

Every time I pass a Salvation Army kettle I put in $1, so it adds up to maybe $20 by Christmas. They are the nicest poeple too!

Phyllis

 

[perched]

Quote:
WOW! That is a wonderful idea! I wish everyone did that! I think we'll bring some extra gifts this year when we go visit my hubby's grandma in the nursing home for Christmas!!!!!! Our 2 kids will love handing out gifts! We usually donate things to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary or local animal shelters, and over the last few years, we've found a needy child through friends or church who we buy gifts for. Money is tighter this year, but we will still squeeze it in!

Merry Christmas All!!!!!!