Ways To Brighten Christmas For The Less Fortunate

The holiday season is a time for joy and giving. But, for families and individuals going through hard times, it can be painful. For families already having a hard time buying food and paying bills, knowing they can’t afford any Christmas celebration can be devastating. Charities give us who are more fortunate the chance to help out these families while teaching our children the joy of helping those in need.

A great way to start is by giving a donation in your child’s or other young family member’s name instead of a gift. The knowledge that their gift helped provide holiday cheer for a child or family who would have gone without instills a wonderful sense of pride and the true meaning of altruism. Charity and philanthropy are taught by example.

Help a Needy Child This Christmas

Christmas is a magical time for children. It’s heartbreaking to imagine a child awakening Christmas morning to nothing. Some charities work for the benefit of children.  Marine Toys For Tots is a well-known charity that provides new toys to children each Christmas. You can bring a new and unwrapped toy to the nearest drop off location.  At select locations, the USPS administers the Operation Santa program. Children send letters addressed to Santa to these post offices. The post office, along with those wanting to help, send gifts and letters in response. The public is invited to adopt a Santa letter to make a child’s Christmas brighter.

Help A Needy Family For The Holidays

For families who are struggling during the holidays, friendly, charitable gestures offer relief. Catholic Charities provides help for bills, gifts, and clothing. Donations to their organization help families of all religious affiliations. The United Way helps low-income families and individuals. They provide referrals to various resources throughout the community. Their Christmas program is a central location for various agencies who provide donations of food, clothing, and toys.

Help A Family With Special Needs This Christmas

Soldiers’ Angels provides holiday help for military families. Many families in the armed forces get by on tight budgets. Christmas time can be especially challenging. This organization provides presents for children and gift cards for holiday food shopping. The program is open to families of deployed military, and families of veterans. Bringing Hope Home offers holiday help for families who have a member with a cancer diagnosis. Families in a health crisis often need financial aid to handle living expenses. Donations of gift cards, gifts, and cash help bring relief. Depending on the family’s need, the organization chooses a donor to work with them.

Finding A Way To Help The Less Fortunate This Season

This list is in no way conclusive. There are Christmas charities to help individuals and families with different needs. Some charities even offer help to those in recovery from addiction. Working with these agencies is a great way to teach children the spirit of giving. For an extensive list of holiday charities who give or need help, call your area’s Salvation Army or Volunteers of America. Helping others in need is a wonderful way to reinforce the true spirit of giving during the holiday season.