Sunday, 16 November 2008

• Who Will Help the Needy and Weak This Tough Holiday Season?

  Guest post submitted by ezekiel36_33to36

  

  With winter looming, this time of the year it is easy to overlook the members of our communities who are less fortunate than us. Gas prices have been at unaffordable rates, bills are higher, many simply do not care, or some just have the opinion that there isn't much they can do to make a difference. All those elements combined have led to an all time low in holiday charitable donations.
  
  Despite the sad commentary above... do you feel led to do something nice for those less fortunate at the holidays?
  
  If you do enjoy giving, but aren't sure who, where, or how - here are easy ideas to start planning  now:
  
  Mental Health Facilities
  I am quite passionate about this topic so I am definitely listing that as a top way to give to others.
  
  Some of the items they need... Board Games, Cards, T-Shirts, Baseball Caps, Watches, Walkman Radios, Top 40 Tapes/CD, Stationary, Pens/Pencils/Crayons/Color Pencils, Tote Bags, Cookies/Snacks/Gum, Movies (Rated G or PG only), Hair Accessories, Wallets, Magazines, Books (paperback only), Puzzle/Coloring Books, Body Lotion, Cosmetics, After Shave, Cosmetic Cases, Clothing (small through 4x), PJ's, Tennis Shoes, Socks, Bedroom Shoes, Hats, and Sweat Shirts/Pants.
  
  Find a mental health facility near you - CMHS Mental Health Services Locator. You may wish to contact the facility to ask what additional limitations they may have for the patients and/or to see if strangers are allowed to spend time with long-term patients who never receive visitors.
  
  Operation Christmas Child
  Operation Christmas Child brings joy and hope to children in desperate situations around the world. National Collection Week is November 17-24.
  
  HOW TO PACK A SHOE BOX
  
  1. SHOE BOX
  Use an empty shoe box (standard size, please) or a small plastic container. You can wrap the box (lid separately), but wrapping is not required. Most importantly, pray for the child who will receive your gift.
  
  2. BOY OR GIRL?
  Determine whether your gift will be for a boy or a girl, and the child’s age category: 2-4, 5-9, or 10-14. Print out the appropriate boy/girl label (link will be a PDF form on the Operation Christmas Child website). Mark the correct age category on the label, and tape the label to the top of your box.
  
  3. FILL WITH GIFTS
  Fill the box with a variety of gifts that will bring delight to a child. Use the gift ideas provided on the Operation Christmas Child website.
  
  4. INCLUDE YOUR DONATION
  Please donate $7 or more for each shoe box you prepare to help cover shipping and other project costs. You can give online by using the EXGIVE option, or you can write a check to Samaritan’s Purse (note “OCC” on memo line) and place it in an envelope on top of the gift items inside your box. If you or your family are preparing more than one shoe box, please make one combined donation.
  
  5. DROP OFF
  Place a rubber band around each closed shoe box and drop off at the Collection Center nearest you during our collection week - November 17 - 24.
  
  For locations and hours of collection visit the Drop Off locations page where you can find the nearest place to take your shoe box by entering your ZIP Code or you can call 1-800-353-5949.
  
  World Vision
  This organization is great because it has an very high rating with the Charity Navigator, as well as other reputable organizations.
  
  
  Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:3 
  
  But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. I Corinthians 1:27-29
  

  Will you be giving a holiday donation or participating in any charity events this holiday season?

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