Toys For Tots, etc.
 

Toys For Tots, Salvation Army, etc. 'Tis the season. Do you make it a point to donate each year? Haven't really thought about it maybe?

I've never personally donated toys to the marines before. But for some reason, I want to drop a bit of cash on it this year. I think it has to do with my weakness for little kids nowadays. The biological clock has kicked in recently.

We made a big donation last year - about 15 gifts. Times are a little leaner this year but we'll still do our part.

Toys or cash.

DO IT

For me... It wasn't until I was literally with no money - $2 to last 2 weeks kind of thing, for about 6 months, that you realize how much every little bit helps.

Now... I'm a little more financially stable but this realization still sticks with me.

I've done group donations to the VA hospitals the last several years, and this year our building at work is Sponsoring both a Toys for Tots drive and a Food drive. I am currently participating in both.

In my office, we collect food year round for one of the local food pantries. During the holiday season, we try to collect just a bit more for that. We also collect money and adopt a family. Sometimes, it is a family someone in the office knows, sometimes we go through a church to find a family. At the kids' schools, they have food, clothes and toy drives during the holiday season. Each grade is asked for a certain type of donation. Both of my children always ask to bring something in for these drives. We give when we can, sometimes it is a bit more than others, depending on how we are doing.

I'm organising a raffle at work - written to all of our suppliers asking for donations to raffle off - the money's going to a local servicemen's charity. Last year we raised £1,000 for a children's charity.

I made several hats for the local domestic violence charity in town. Also, every year in October the university gets together with the local food bank to have a massive food drive. One note about donating food, please donate food you yourself would eat. Peanut butter is always a great choice. Sliced mushrooms in oil....not so much.

My family adopts a family through Catholic Charities every year.

The volunteer fire department in my hometown would collect toys for needy families. My mother always donated to them. I think it's a neat idea because the donations were staying in our community. We were helping our neighbors.

I don't have a lot to give now, but try to whenever I can.