Giving in the Spirit
The Christmas season is a time of giving. As you thank God for all the gifts you have received, keep in your hearts the message of Jesus to help the poor, the sick, and the vulnerable. There are countless charities and organizations reaching out to the poor and promoting the common good. There are many excellent “alternative” Christmas giving programs which enable you to promote the common good through gift-giving. Here are a few to consider.
- Catholic Charities, solutions to help reduce poverty.
- Catholic Campaign for Human Development
- Catholic Relief Services – Christmas Gift Catalog
- Advent Conspiracy- a movement to worshipping Jesus through compassion, not consumption.
- Alternative Gifts International a list of local markets nationwide.
- Alternative Gift Calendar from Center for New American Dream
- Bill's Bike's Memorial Toy Run - Held at the South Florida Fairgrounds on Sunday, December 14th.
- Christmas Cards for Charity - Purchase your Christmas cards from a host of non-profit organizations.
- Christmas Connection a non-profit organization dedicated to serving the less fortunate families and seniors of Greater Oklahoma City.
- Christmas Seals - Support the American Lung Association by making a gift and sending an E-Christmas Seal!
- Christmas Spirit Foundation programs for children, families and the environment ... all designed to enhance the Christmas spirit.
- Freecycle worldwide gifting movement that reduces waste, saves precious resources & eases the burden on our landfills while enabling our members to benefit from the strength of a larger community.
- Heifer International buying cows for people in need.
- Nevada County Food & Toy Run - Held on December 13th in Nevada City, California
- Oakland HOG Toy Run - Held in Oakland, California on December 6th
- Olympia Toy Run - Toy Run held in Olympia, Washington on December 6th.
- Operation Christmas Child - Provides gift-filled shoe boxes to children in desperate situations in over 90 countries across the world.
- Oregon State Employee Toy Drive - Held in the Salem, Oregon area.
- Rogue Valley Toy Run - Toy run held on December 6th in Medford, Oregon
- Salvation Army Christmas Charity Campaign
- Samaritan's Purse Operation Christmas Child- shoebox gifts for children
- Santa VP - Christmas charity which provides food and gifts to the poor. Based in Chicago.
- Santa's Children - Dedicated to supporting children and families with special attention to children with serious and terminal illnesses.
- Secret Santa Helping to promote, advocate, and enable holiday toy drives that support children in need.
- Spark of Love Toy Drive - Sponsored by the Los Angeles Fire Department.
- Sturgis Toy Run - Toy run held in Sturgis, Michigan
- The Family Giving Tree - Bay area (CA) nonprofit organization dedicated to fulfilling the Holiday wishes of kids who would otherwise go without gifts.