What a caring city we live in! In the last few weeks we’ve been getting calls and emails from folks who want to help their neighbors in need this holiday season. We all know that there are so many ways to help, and so many organizations who are doing great work to serve Austinites during the holidays and all year round. So, I asked our friends on Twitter and Facebook to let us know about organizations that are facilitating this help.
Below is what I’m sure is an incomplete listing of organizations that are asking Austinites to “adopt a family” for the holidays. Please let me know if there are more, I’d be happy to add them.
The Christmas Bureau of Austin, Travis County “Adopt-A-Family” program appeals to the Austin, Travis County community to reach out and adopt a needy individual, couple, family and children and provide food, toys and gifts to help them celebrate the holidays.
The neat thing about The Christmas Bureau is that you can review a family’s application online and choose a family based on your own criteria. There are families of all sizes and so many ways to help.
El Buen Samaritano: Hands for Hope Thanksgiving Basket Event
Since 1990, El Buen Samaritano has made a traditional Thanksgiving meal possible for hundreds of low-income families in Austin, distributing turkeys and the necessary ingredients to prepare a traditional Thanksgiving meal.
On November 20, 2010, El Buen Samaritano will bring the Austin community together once again to provide 1,000 families with the necessary ingredients to prepare a Thanksgiving meal.
Check the website for ways to spread the word about this event, and how you can get involved! There are opportunities to donate and volunteer.
Family Eldercare: Make the Holidays Brighter
Sponsorship includes fulfilling the "wish lists" of one or more clients with gifts costing about $30 per person. Wish lists will be distributed to sponsors by mid-November so let us know by November 8th if you would like to get involved in the holiday cheer! Please contact Faith Unger to participate at funger@familyeldercare.org or 483-3582.
The holidays are a difficult time for those we serve at SafePlace. Compounded by the violence they have suffered, the issues of homelessness and severe lack of resources make it extraordinarily difficult to celebrate the season.
SafePlace, has two programs to fit the needs of our clients: Sponsor A Family and Shop for the Shelter.
Visit the website to learn more about what you can do to help.
27 families are calling Saint Louise House “home” this 2010 holiday season. Your group, family or organization can make this holiday special for a Saint Louise House family by participating in our “Home for the Holidays” in one of two ways:
- Sponsor a Family. Get together your favorite group of people—family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, youth group, Boy Scout or Girl Scout troop, service organization, Bible study, women’s group, Bunco or bridge club or men’s group—and sponsor a Saint Louise House mother and her children for Christmas. We provide a wish list of gifts ($50 limit per family member), and you do the shopping. New, unwrapped gifts must be delivered to Saint Louise House by Monday, December 6.
- Provide a Gift Card. Like all moms, Saint Louise House moms love the opportunity to do a little shopping for their families. You can help them by making a donation of a HEB and/or Target Gift Card in the amount of $20 per gift card. Also you can consider coordinating a Gift Card Drive with your co-workers, friends, school, neighbors or group. Gift cards must be received by Monday, December 13.
To sponsor a family, donate gift cards, host a drive or coordinate a group project please contact:
Karen Ranus, Volunteer and In-Kind Donations Coordinator
302-0027 ext. 17 or kranus@saintlouisehouse.org
As you can see, no matter what your interests are, or what your capacity to give, there are countless ways to help. All of these organizations are doing amazing work, during the holidays, and the rest of the year. Many non-profits get more attention during the holiday season, because giving is on people’s minds. However, I challenge you to join me in using this as a jumping off point. Let’s get involved with an organization and a family in need, and make it a New Year’s resolution to stay involved for the rest of the year. This way, the good feeling that giving brings will last all year long.
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