One way you can give a meaningful present this holiday season is by giving a symbolic gift to a friend or family member. With Oxfam America Unwrapped, you can purchase a gift in honor of a loved one that will help someone else in need of basic supplies, education, or animals. The present itself is sent to someone else across in the world to help them support their family and community.
If you’re like us and love Christmas goats (such as the Gävlebocken), you might want to purchase a goat in honor of your best friend. The goat goes to someone else who needs it, and you can send your friend a card to let them know about the gift.
Goats are a great gift because they are hardy creatures, as they are drought-resistant and will eat just about anything. This is an important factor for people who live in areas without a lot of grass. Should you decide to give a pair of goats or a tribe of goats, your gift will have long term benefits since the goats can provide milk and offspring.
In addition to the various animal gifts, you can also give gifts of education, skill training, emergency supplies, or even basic necessities, such as soap. There are many other types of gifts to choose from, so check out Oxfam’s website to choose one that appeals to you. Your charitable gift will have a lasting impact on the lives of others.
When you think of the United Service Organizations [or USO], you may immediately think of USO tours, during which the USO sends entertainers to perform for American soldiers stationed around the world—from Japan to the Persian Gulf to the United Kingdom and elsewhere. Past performers include Bob Hope, Robin Williams, Lena Horne, Johnny Unitas, the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, Steve Martin, the Sesame Street crew, and many more.
While the USO tours are fantastic, the USO actually does so much more. The USO has been around since 1941, and the mission of this nonprofit is to “lift the spirits of America’s troops and their families.” From arranging USO tours to sending care packages to offering support with health issues to delivering prepaid international phone cards to the soldiers, the USO is succeeding in their mission.
One particular way you can help the USO brighten the troops’ spirits this Christmas is by donating so that they may send USO Holiday Boxes. Specifically for soldiers in remote locations who do not have access to traditional USO centres, these boxes contain holiday decorations, edible goodies, and more for 50 troops. The USO offers boxes for four different holidays, and the winter box includes:
The holiday season is upon us, and while many of us are purchasing gifts for our friends and family, we can also spread the joy of Christmas to those who are experiencing hard times by donating presents, time, or resources to a charity. Today we highlight one particular charity that focuses on helping children.
Founded by Marines, Toys for Tots is a program that collects and distributes new toys to children who are less fortunate in local communities. Toys for Tots’ mission is to spread joy and instill hope in kids—through the gift of a new toy—thereby enabling them to become responsible and productive citizens.
How can you get involved?
Simply buy a new toy (or more!) and place it unwrapped in your nearest collection box. To find a toy drop in your area, you can use the toy drop locator. You can also take your toy(s) to one of these national drop-off sites: Toys R Us, Babies R Us, or A.C. Moore Arts & Crafts.
Toy collections run until mid to late December, but deadlines vary for each toy drop location. Be sure to check the date for the location nearest you.
During the holiday season when we are busy filling our tummies and our stockings, it’s also nice to fill someone else’s life with joy—especially those less fortunate.
Did you know that you can share the Christmas spirit with a child elsewhere in the world with a simple shoe box? Every year Samaritan’s Purse collects shoe boxes filled with gifts through its Operation Christmas Child program, and then sends the boxes to children in countries such as Haiti, Iraq, Kosovo, South Sudan, and many others. The boxes travel by plane, boat, or even long-haired yak to make their way to remote villages and children who wouldn’t otherwise experience Christmas. Over the past two decades, Operation Christmas Child has delivered millions of gifts to children in more than 130 countries.
How can you get involved?
It’s easy! Get a shoe box [or small plastic container] and decide whether your gift will be for a boy or girl, as well as the age range. Fill the box with items such as small toys, stuffed animals, school supplies, hygiene items, hard candy, socks, and toy jewelry.
Include a $7 donation [or more!] to help cover shipping costs, and then drop the box off at your nearest collection centre during collection week [through 19 November]. If you would like to donate a box during another time, you can always send your shoe box to:
