If you’re looking for some ways to support your community or to give back this year, here are some ideas.
- Amazon Smile (smile.amazon.com). Setup your account to automatically donate 0.5% of eligible purchases to the organization of your choice as you shop on Amazon. If you’re an Amazon shopper already, this is an easy way to help out your favorite nonprofit.
- The City Mission. There are a variety ways to give—drop off donations, put together comeback kits, shop the Amazon wishlist or make a monetary donation.
- Beanelf.org. Help answer letters to Santa written by children who need a brighter Christmas. You can also go to USPS Operation Santa to adopt a letter.
- Equal Justice Initiative. After reading Just Mercy over the summer, I was moved by this powerful story and the work that the Equal Justice Initiative does. I encourage you to read the book, visit the website—which is a great resource for information and consider donating.
- Your local church. Not only are the local churches a source of spiritual guidance and connection, they also do a lot to support the community from offering a space for groups like AA or boy scouts to donation drives, Angel trees, community meals and more. A lot of churches are struggling right now and your support can make a difference.
- Prison Fellowship Angel Tree® is a program of Prison Fellowship that serves incarcerated parents by providing a pathway for strengthening and restoring their relationships with their children and families. I learned about this organization through Trinity Cathedral as part of their virtual angel tree this holiday season.
- Cleveland APL supports homeless animals, and they can’t do that without the support of donors since they receive no government funding. Wether you’re interested in adopting a pet, sponsoring a cage, purchasing an item from their wish list or attending event—there are plenty of ways to support our furry friends this holiday season.
- Family Promise is a national movement to end homelessness that uses a holistic model of prevention, shelter and stabilization. A friend shared this organization with me and I’m amazed at their national initiatives and impact.
There are so many organizations that could use your support not only now, but throughout the year.
Find something that speaks to you and contribute how you can, when you can—raise awareness, make a material or monetary donation, support community education, offer your time or resources—volunteer and support your community in a way that feels right to you.
Kick off a new short or long term relationship with the organization of your choice this holiday season.
In the comments below, please share what organizations you love to support and provide a link so that others can check them out too.
Thank you!
Emily