With decorating, shopping, and parties - the holiday season can be a frenzied time. But it’s also the perfect time to be grateful for what we have and to take time to reach out to help those less fortunate. Here is a list of ten charities you could donate to this holiday season. Please feel free to add your favorite charity in the comments section below.
1. Angela's House, a Hauppauge-based nonprofit, assists families caring for medically frail children living at home with their parents or in special homes that offer 24 hour nursing support. Donations can be made online or by attending one of the many local events that are held to support this cause.
2. Kings Park’s own, Angels Without Faces, whose motto is “Anonymously Given, Anonymously Received. Helping our Community, One Family at a Time,” provides emergency financial assistance to local families and individuals who have experienced hardships. Donations can be made online.
3. The American Red Cross, founded in 1881, is one of the nation’s largest emergency response organizations. It offers humanitarian care to the victims of war and devastating natural disasters. Online donations accepted.
4. Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Rockville Centre assists in serving the basic needs of the poor. Every year, tens of thousands of people of every religion and ethnicity visit Catholic Charities for assistance. Donations can be made online. Car donations also accepted.
5. Located in Smithtown, provides guide dogs free of charge to blind people who seek enhanced mobility and independence. The foundation began in 1946 and is supported entirely by donations from individuals, corporations and charitable foundations. Monetary donations can be made online or you might even consider volunteering to raise a foundation puppy.
6. Long Island Cares food and pet pantries are always in need of donations, especially during the holidays. Founded in 1980 by the late singer/songwriter, Harry Chapin, it provides food and support services for more than 540 community-based member agencies including food pantries, soup kitchens, emergency shelters, child care programs, disability organizations, veteran’s services, and more. Check their website to see the variety of manners in which you can help.
7. Marine Toys For Tots Foundation collects new, unwrapped toys and distributes them as Christmas gifts to needy children in the community in which the campaign is conducted. One place to donate locally is in the lobby of , Kings Park.
8. Project Sage Horse Rescue, located in Fort Salonga, was started in 2007 by then-16 year-old Brittany Rostron as a way of honoring Sage, her deceased rescue horse. Project Sage’s mission is to prevent the inhumane slaughter and abuse of horses through rescue and rehabilitation and to place these horses in forever, loving homes. Donations can be made online. Project Sage gear is also available for purchase online.
9. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, well known pioneers in research and treatment of children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases, denies no child treatment based on race, religion or a family's ability to pay. Donations can be made online.
10. The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign, an iconic symbol of holiday giving, helps the Salvation Army provide over 60 million meals for the hungry and shelter for 10 million people with nowhere to go. Donations can be made online, or at any location where Salvation Santa’s - with their bell and red kettle - are found.
