During the fall holiday season there is an emphasis on toy drives due to Christmas and clothing drives due to the onset of the winter season.    Monetary donations are an easy way to give back without exerting alot of time and energy.  There are a myriad of national and local non-profit organizations that service the poor and low income that could use financial assistance in order to purchase the extra things that go along with the holiday season.  Now more than ever, it is easier to give.  With the advent of technology, it is now easier than ever to give.  In fact, in some areas the Salvation Army has ever added ATM machine along with their signature red kettle.  Locally, a great organization to give to or volunteer with is Volunteers of America - Delaware Valley, whose current holiday program is Operation Blessing, which has several ways to become involved including adopting a family, donating clothes and toys, and donating canned goods.

 

A more hands on charity to become involved with is the Angel Tree Project, not to be confused with Salvation Army's  Angel Giving Tree.  This is a program of Prison Fellowship where toys are given to the children of incarcerated parents.  With this project, you can coordinate to produce this program with your own organization.  Prison Fellowship will give you the names and requests of the children and you just have to recruit volunteers to purchase the toys and choose a venue to come together with the children to present them the gifts. 

 

If these options are not to your fancy, there are other opportunities all around.  For those who don't know where to start, go to your local library, look for signs in the shopping malls, local schools, or even your employer.  There are endless organizations in your community looking for donations of time and money.