Tis the season of giving … and gratitude!
As the holiday approach, it’s the perfect time to focus on being thankful for what we have, and also looking for ways that we can give in our community. The holidays this year are going to look and feel a little different, especially for the people who are in the greatest need. When neighbors are in need, those who are able are called upon to help.
Below is a list of just some of the many ways in which you can help your neighbors this holiday season:
For even more ideas, visit our 2020 Happening List Charity Category.
Mission Kids: Child Advocacy Center of Montgomery County
Mission Kids, 2020 Happening List Winner for Best Charity, provides a center for the team investigation of child abuse cases. Forensic interviews are conducted in a manner that is legally sound, neutral, fact-finding, and coordinated to avoid repeated interviews and trauma to the child. The investigation process is compassionate with respect and well-being of the child of the utmost importance. Even after the Forensic Interview, Mission Kids continues to support the children and families it serves through its Family Advocacy Program. This program is designed to meet short and long-term needs of children and their families.
To find out how you can help, visit the website here. The Wish List section might be of particular interest as it lists items that are most needed such as new teddy bears, new or gently used books, gift cards for local supermarkets and more. Monetary donations are also appreciated. You can donate through the site or send a check.
Kitty Cottage Adoption Center in Norristown
Kitty Cottage Adoption Center was a 2020 Happening List Finalist Charity. It is a private nonprofit, no-kill, cage-free animal shelter. Because of the pandemic, they are currently open open by appointment or for approved applicants and volunteers, but they still need help! Visit the website HERE to find out the various ways to make a donation, including Facebook, Paypal, Amazon Smile, and more. Some of them don’t even require you to spend any extra money of your own!
The Village Norristown
The Village Norristown was a 2020 Happening List Finalist. It is a missional outreach of Fairview Village Church, providing a variety of programs to the community such as after-school programs, ESL classes, adult connect groups and more. Visit THIS site to find out how you can become a volunteer, sponsor a local child or make a donation.
The Survivors Cancer Foundation in Limerick
The Survivors Cancer Foundation, a 2020 Moncto Happening List Finalist, is a 501(c)(3) that was founded by Jim Ginnetti, a Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma (Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia) survivor. He decided he wanted to give back and help others that are unfortunately experiencing the same disease, and sometimes debilitating side effects physically and emotionally. The Survivors Cancer Foundation raises funds that are directly donated to local cancer patients and their families in our community. In addition to financial support, they offer emotional assistance, transportation to treatment, lodging close to treatment facilities, meals, and more.
All of the Committee Members are un-paid volunteers and any profits are all donated to local families in need.
Find out how you can help HERE.
Variety – the Children’s Charity of the Delaware Valley in Worcester
Since 1935, Variety – The Children’s Charity of the Delaware Valley (a 2020 Happening List Finalist) has continued its mission to enrich the lives of children and young adults with disabilities through social, educational, and vocational programs that nurture independence and self-confidence, and prepare them for life.
Variety serves children between birth and age 24 with temporary and/or permanent disabilities resulting from injury, illness, or congenital conditions.
Find out how you can volunteer or make a donation HERE.
Tip: Read THIS ARTICLE for information about attending Variety’s Holiday Lane Decorated by Norristown Garden Club December 3 through December 5.
Plus, now through November 28, you can also purchase a live wreath to benefit variety. More info HERE.
Toys for Tots
Toys for Tots has been collecting toys for children since 1947.
Options to donate include monetary donations at www.toysfortots.org/ or placing unwrapped toys in collection boxes throughout the area.
Kisses for Kyle
Kisses for Kyle was founded in 2001 to honor the founder’s son’s memory and to help families in the Delaware Valley region who are battling childhood cancer. Donations provide gifts for children fighting cancer and for their siblings. The organization accepts gifts for the holidays between now and November 23.
To find out more about how you can donate, visit kissesforkyle.org/donations.
Philabundance
More than 700,000 people in the Philadelphia area face hunger, and that number has been rising since the pandemic began. Philabundance has been working since 1984 to provide people with nutritious food and to end hunger for good. Food and other services the organization provides help community members break the cycle of poverty. Last year, donors helped Philabundance donate 26 million pounds of food.
Make a donation at philabundance.org.
Keystone Opportunity Center
The mission of Keystone Opportunity Center in Souderton is to educate, encourage and empower community members in need to become self-sufficient. They do this through providing housing services, operating a food pantry, providing adult education classes, and more.
Click HERE to find out how you can help by making a donation, choosing Keystone Opportunity Center in the AmazonSmile program, or volunteering.
Cradles to Crayons – Philadelphia
Cradles to Crayons helps to fight poverty in the Philadelphia region by providing clothing, school supplies and other basics needed for children to thrive. Groups and especially families who are part of the Family Leadership Circle, process donations at The Giving Factory in Conshohocken. Volunteers work throughout the year at special events and family days. This opportunity not only helps the organization, but teaches kids to care about their communities and develop social responsibility.
Find out how you can help HERE.
RSVP
Responding to Community Needs Through Volunteerism is an organization that connects adult volunteers to a variety of needs through the Montgomery County community. Volunteers might tutor a child in reading or math, drive home bound seniors to medical appointments, counsel juvenile offenders or Medicare recipients, provide business counseling for struggling nonprofits or lead tours at historic sites & museums. See how you can participate by visiting the RSVP website by clicking here.
Family Services of Montgomery County
Family Services provides services to families in the county, helping them to thrive through difficult circumstances. The Meals on Wheels program always needs volunteers to pack and deliver lunch to home bound individuals. Volunteers also supply help for Project HEARTH (Helping Elderly Adults Remain in Their Homes) and the Telephone Reassurance Program. These programs help seniors to live in their homes as long as possible, by helping with household maintenance, running errands, and providing a daily check-on for safety. Find out how you can volunteer or make a donation HERE.
We Are Supported By:
