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Gifts that actually keep on giving
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This year, everyone is talking about how Christmas is going to be scaled down due to the flagging economy. The thing that is good about this is that maybe it gives us a chance to enjoy and be thankful for what we have – it may sound cliché, but it’s true. When I hear about kids who are afraid that Santa won’t come to their house because they’re poor or because they’ve been moved from home to home and they think he won’t be able to find them, well, I want to cry.
In my family, my parents have always taught my brother and I to give back – whether it be in money or services, we’ve always been aware of how much we have and how we should share that with those who need it.
This week, I’ll be focusing on a different kind of gift guide – charities. Each day, I’ll feature three organizations that may be slightly off the radar from what we usually hear about.
Today, I’m beginning with helping globally. The missions of each of these organizations are easy to explain, even to the littlest ones. Better yet, each involves something tangible that they can help pick out, rather than just you writing a check and calling it good (although there’s really nothing wrong with that!).
Operation Shoebox is an Oregon-based, non-profit 501(3)c volunteer organization whose outreach serves primarily the poor and underserved in Honduras, Central America.
This is a great organization to support, because what could be easier than giving your kids a shoebox and having them fill it with toys and gifts for kids their own age?
The Pajama Program is a non-profit organization that provides new, warm pajamas and books to children around the U.S. and the world, many whom are waiting to be adopted.
At our house, we love pajamas. I usually get the girls matching pajamas at Christmas, and so this year, I think we’ll pick out pajamas for OTHER kids, along with a book.
Nothing But Nets is a global campaign to save lives by preventing malaria, a leading killer of children in Africa. The people of The United Methodist Church, along with Sports Illustrated, NBA Cares, the United Nations Foundation and several other groups, are raising funds to purchase bed nets to end malaria. You can join the cause and contribute money for bed nets that will keep children and families safe.
Stop malaria from scoring! Send a net. Save a life. Bed nets work in two ways: They stop mosquitoes from biting during the night and spreading the disease, and the insecticide on the net kills mosquitoes when they land on it.
My parents found this site, and they not only donated, but they donated in Riley and Abby’s names. Each of the girls will get a certificate thanking them for their help.
Of course you can come up with your own charities, but I think that it's always really important to show your kids that you appreciate what you have by sharing it with others.
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