Whenever the holidays come around, I not only look forward to spending time with my family in Victoria, Tx and stuffing myself with homemade tamales and buñelos. I feel like my family and I have been very blessed and I like to let the good Lord use me to bless others who are less fortunate and put a smile on someone’s face who maybe didn’t expect it that day. I mean, I like to make people smile year-round J and I donate clothes and items to people in need whenever I can. But during the holidays, I tend to think about other families and children a little more. We sometimes take what we have for granted. Everyday things like falling to sleep in a warm and cozy bed, taking a shower with warm water, eating breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily…these things we sometimes don’t think twice about. I say it because sometimes my days are so busy that I am already (grumpily) thinking about the things I have to do the next day, and then I realize that I should change my attitude. I should be glad and not take everyday normal things for granted. I mean, sadly some people do not even know if they are going to have something to eat that day. Lending a helping hand not only helps others in need, but is also very rewarding.
I want to do something more this year, so I have been researching opportunities to give. To inspire you to give and make a difference during the holidays, I’ve made a list of 5 charitable ways that I’ve learned about that you can do to help the less fortunate. It’s not too late to participate in any of these.
1.Toys for Tots. The U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots program works tirelessly during the holiday season to put smiles on children’s faces. They collect thousands of new, unwrapped toys for the children of the Rio Grande Valley. There is a drop box inside of Babies “R” Us and Toys “R” Us in McAllen. You can find list of more drop off locations here: Here.
2.The Salvation Army. If you have in mind to volunteer during this holiday season, consider volunteering for the salvation army! They need help wrapping gifts at Barnes & Noble (Nolana & 10th St) and the tips benefit The Salvation Army program and services. They also need help sorting out and/or distributing toys for families in need. If you want to do either one of these, call Eloise at (956)682-1468 or email her at [email protected]. Here is their facebook if you want to see what else is going on: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Salvation-Army-McAllen-TX/1410024435878548
3.Samaritan’s Purse. This is a nondenominational evangelical Christian organization providing spiritual and physical aid to hurting people around the world. If you would like to donate money to provide shoes/clothing, food, medicine, fresh waterwells, and much more to less fortunate people living in third world countries, you can do so here.
4.Arms of Hope. This non-profit organization is focused on assisting and extending a loving hand to some of the most disadvantaged children and single-mother families in our culture. Arms of Hope’s facilities include Medina Children’s Home (60 miles northwest of San Antonio) and Boles Children’s Home (40 miles northeast of Dallas) and are committed to providing a safe haven for children and single-mother families by helping them avoid homelessness, poverty, abuse and neglect. Although they don’t have a facility in the RGV, there is a drop-off location located on 101East Business Hwy 83 in McAllen for your donations.
5.Get your closet clutter picked up from your home. This one is the easiest. Everyone has something in their closet that they’ve had forever and never worn, clothes they have gently used, or that don’t fit them anymore. If you can’t drop off your donations somewhere, you can find a charity that will pick up your donations for free! You can donate almost anything from toys and books to furniture. Click here to choose a charity and schedule your pick up.
