well said Spook. Alot of us are in the same boat. And have lost one oar, going around in circles. For some reason I meant that to profound and would up giggling at myself.
We usually put together a couple of shoeboxes for Samaritan's Purse. It's fun to fill them up with stuff from the dollar store and imagine the children's faces when they open them.
We don't need more stuff, and neither do our friends or family, so we make donations to various groups that we know they like to support -
Heifer Project
Habitat for Humanity
The local food banks
Sammie's Friends (a local np that pays vet bills for animals at the shelter so they have a better chance of being adopted)
We also buy toys for kids at the local shelter and choose a couple of kids off the giving tree from Big Brothers Big Sisters.
We'll take our family out for a family dinner or breakfast, so we can all spend some time together where we're not cooking.
We give to Best Friends animal Sanctuary- www.bestfriends.org
Our Local Animal Protective League
ASPCA
HSUS
We have an adopted Soldier
My department at work sponsors a family for The Holidays in which a parent with young children is on Hospice.
I do put a few dollars on the red kettle when I have it to spare.
All year long I collect hats, mittens, gloves and scarves. Once or twice a month through the winter I go to the school playground and disperse them. It's not much, but it fills a need.