What is on your gift list for others?

[SadieKate]

What ya doing for those less fortunate?

I'm in a new community so I'm doing a little research. I gave kiva.org gift certs to my parents last year that they've let languish. It was supposed to be a gift that kept on giving from folks that don't need anything more to dust. I may just give directly some place else in their name this year.

I think this is going to be a year when a lot more people than usual need our help.

[Blueberry]

I have lots in my family who have been really hard hit. They're all getting useful things that they aren't able to buy for themselves now, and likely some grocery store type gift cards. Many are also getting hand knitted (by me!) comforting garments (hats, scarves, neck warmers).

[SadieKate]

One of the benefits to working from home is I don't have to participate in Secret Santa gift giving to co-workers. It always pained me to see someone who was barely making ends meet either having to abstain or struggle to participate. And then it was mostly junk that was "gifted" and then thrown away. Yuck.

I'm out of it now, but it seems that Secret Santa gift boxes for charities have become much more popular, at least at our company's various offices. A few pennies collectively can go a lot farther.

[snapdragen]

Last year I chose Heifer International, this year I haven't quite decided, but I'll probably donate to our local food bank (Second Harvest). There is also a local organization started by a woman at the hospital where I work, they buy bikes for kids. Oh, and a new one - a young boy burned over 85% of his body, the hospital foundation has set up a fund to buy him a computer for school use.

Gift for Edgar

Turning Wheels for Kids

I'll probably divide my donation between these three.

[Blueberry]

I'm out of it now, but it seems that Secret Santa gift boxes for charities have become much more popular, at least at our company's various offices. A few pennies collectively can go a lot farther.

Cool idea! I'll have to pass that on, should I ever find myself in that position again

CA

[jobob]

My company is really big on community involvement and every month we contribute our time and $ to some organization -- Habitat, the local Shelter Network, food drives and food sorts at the Second Harvest Warehouse, backpacks and school supplies for needy kids, that sort of thing.

This month we're doing the Family Giving Tree. We have a Christmas tree in our break room on which Wish Cards are hung. On these cards are the first name, age, and the "wish" of a needy child in the area.

Those of us participating select a card and buy the toy listed on the card for the child. The agency collects the toys from us, wraps them and distributes them for Christmas.

So I'm going to schelp over to Toys 'R Us one of these days to pick up a Lego Harry Potter set for Mark, age 7.

[SadieKate]

All too often we just forget time . . . .

[SadieKate]

There doesn't appear to be a limit! Wow. I know where I'm going Dec 6.

A private donor has offered to match any donation during this event. This is a great way to make the donation go even further! Come join us at the Bend Fred Meyer's store in their Toy Section. Any toy, clothing or food donated at Fred Meyer's during the event will be matched 100% by a private donor!

[SheFly]

My company is really big on community involvement and every month we contribute our time and $ to some organization -- Habitat, the local Shelter Network, food drives and food sorts at the Second Harvest Warehouse, backpacks and school supplies for needy kids, that sort of thing.

This month we're doing the Family Giving Tree. We have a Christmas tree in our break room on which Wish Cards are hung. On these cards are the first name, age, and the "wish" of a needy child in the area.

Those of us participating select a card and buy the toy listed on the card for the child. The agency collects the toys from us, wraps them and distributes them for Christmas.

So I'm going to schelp over to Toys 'R Us one of these days to pick up a Lego Harry Potter set for Mark, age 7.

We do this at my company too. I don't have kids of my own, and DH and I don't need anything. Our nieces and nephews are so spoiled it's ridiculous, so I "adopted" a family of 4 and a family of 2 kids in a similar program.

You know what was heart wrenching? Reading that a 15 year old boy's toy wish list includes gloves, hat and scarf. Oh, and sporting equipment. I'm all over that one....

SheFly

p.s.
Thanks to all of you who give to others, in ANY way possible.

[michelem]

We have an organization in our community, called Powerhouse Ministries: "Some of the people we minister to are families of prisoners at Folsom State Prison. But most are just men and women dealing with ordinary, difficult and painful life events: the loss of a job or home, drug and alcohol abuse, divorce and lack of child care or transportation."

They have a drop-in center, neighborhood outreach programs, and a family transition center.

Anyway, this year we're participating in Angel Tree again. My husband chose a 16 year old boy and I chose a 4 year old girl. In fact, we went shopping for them today. We were instructed to spend $40 each and were given sizes and ideas of what they wanted. We'll wrap the gifts and affix a card "signed" by their parents/caregivers. The gifts will be given out at the big dinner/celebration our church is throwing for them in December.

We've always done this stuff on our own, but this year my husband's dad and sister are going to do it too (the malls in AZ have angel trees as well) and we'll then send cards to each other saying what we got our "kids" in lieu of getting each other stuff. Pretty cool.

[indysteel]

I'm sponsoring a family through the Children's Bureau to provide them with some Christmas gifts and other needed items. My office is also donating some $$ to them. I'm also buying some gifts for the Y's Breakfast with Santa event for kids who are currently living in shelters.

[bikerz]

Heifer! Heifer! Heifer!

This will be my 5th year giving to Heifer International on behalf of all adults in my family/friend circle (the kids I know get books ). Everyone is really into it now, especially me. Nothing puts me in the holiday spirit like picking out a big batch of goats, llamas, bees, water buffaloes, chicks and ducks. It's a tight year this year, and those critters will make a bigger difference than ever.

[Aggie_Ama]

I will buy a toy for brown santa. My parents used to make me do this every year, pick a toy I wanted and give it to the police man collecting. I remember distinctly being 6 or 7 and picking out the coolest She-ra ever then handing it to the sheriff to wrap for someone else. I was so excited when my Christmas tree had one for me too but even at that age I knew someone else was excited about it too. It was a cool red headed friend of She-Ra.

My father lived at Salvation Army before he went into foster care, I always give as much as I can to the red pots. They fed my dad and gave him a blanket when he was only 5 years old, I hope they are still that wonderful because I know my Dad is.

[bmccasland]

One thought on donations to a charity in the name of someone else....

I had a "gee, thanks" response when my Dad's wife made a donation to a charity I'd never heard of in my name as my Christmas present. I should hasten to add, I was replying to a card in the mail, and not in person. I didn't mind the principle of the thing, but would have preferred it to a charity I'd actually heard of OR a charity I supported. I'm not questioning that said pet charity of C was worthy, but I didn't support their political cause when I read their info flier.

So if you're going to donate to charity in someone's name - is there a way to find out if said honored recipient might prefer a different charity or have charities they support (morally or financially)?

I got absolutely nothing out of the gift, money was donated in my name to a cause I'd never heard of and didn't completely support, and they got the tax deduction.

[SadieKate]

I can't imagine giving to a charity in someone else's name without their agreement.

And I'm not looking for a tax deduction with holiday gifts . . . .