There were 11,000 Red Santa Suits running down the streets of Las Vegas, NV. earlier today. This yearly 5k run and mile long walk brought in money to help programs for individuals that are intellectually disabled. Similar events took place on three other continents with Las Vegas being the fourth and the one with the most participants.
And in Mesquite, NV, five generations came together to raise money as bell ringers with the Salvation Army. With ages ranging from 1 to 92, the family spent Monday afternoon together playing bells, and a saxophone, all decked with red Christmas hats and the well known Salvation Army apron.
Saturday, December 7, 2013
Friday, December 6, 2013
Kids Night Out
Is there anything better than going out to enjoy a show and know that the price of the ticket will benefit the youth of the area?
Well, Roman families of Georgia had the opportunity to find out on Dec. 5 as they attended a show and fun activities presented by the local theater. The proceeds of ticket sale will benefit the Rome-Floyd County Commission on Children and Youth.
Meanwhile, Athenian families of Georgia can gear up to participate in the annual UGA Miracle Classic City Tour of Homes to benefit Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. UGA Miracle does not limit itself to tours of homes during the holidays, but it includes also other activities for the benefit of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. In the past 18 years they have been able to raise over $3 million of which 100% went directly to the kids and the hospital.
Well, Roman families of Georgia had the opportunity to find out on Dec. 5 as they attended a show and fun activities presented by the local theater. The proceeds of ticket sale will benefit the Rome-Floyd County Commission on Children and Youth.
Meanwhile, Athenian families of Georgia can gear up to participate in the annual UGA Miracle Classic City Tour of Homes to benefit Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. UGA Miracle does not limit itself to tours of homes during the holidays, but it includes also other activities for the benefit of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. In the past 18 years they have been able to raise over $3 million of which 100% went directly to the kids and the hospital.
Thursday, December 5, 2013
Rescue Mission to Give Hope
Yesterday, I wrote of an organization in Illinois that has been helping during the holiday season for over 30 years.
Today, the focus is on the Bay Area Rescue Mission, in California, which has been in the business of helping those in need all year round since 1965!
The Mission offers meals, beds, job training, and other needed services all through the year, but it is during the weeks of Thanksgiving and Christmas that they rev up in order to serve thousands of traditional meals to those who would not otherwise have any.
I know there are other organizations out there, across the U.S. and perhaps the world whose scope is to help the less fortunate. Reading about their efforts to ease a burden, provide a meal, a bed, or a service is a heartwarming experience.
Today, the focus is on the Bay Area Rescue Mission, in California, which has been in the business of helping those in need all year round since 1965!
The Mission offers meals, beds, job training, and other needed services all through the year, but it is during the weeks of Thanksgiving and Christmas that they rev up in order to serve thousands of traditional meals to those who would not otherwise have any.
I know there are other organizations out there, across the U.S. and perhaps the world whose scope is to help the less fortunate. Reading about their efforts to ease a burden, provide a meal, a bed, or a service is a heartwarming experience.
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
Spirit of the Season
In Carol Stream, IL residents gathered food, toys, and other items for more than 30 years in the row. The gifts will be delivered this coming Dec. 12. When you click on the link, you will see a picture of last year's volunteers wrapping the donated items. It will warm your heart!
In Arthur, IL firefighters collected money for their Christmas Food and Toy Program. Employees at the local IGA contributed by collecting funds on their own and donating it to the program. Several needy families will be receiving boxes filled with food and toys thanks to this program and its participants.
In the Spirit of the Season, find a local organization and see how you can help making this time a little bit brighter for those who are struggling. And as you do so, may your Christmas be brighter too.
In Arthur, IL firefighters collected money for their Christmas Food and Toy Program. Employees at the local IGA contributed by collecting funds on their own and donating it to the program. Several needy families will be receiving boxes filled with food and toys thanks to this program and its participants.
In the Spirit of the Season, find a local organization and see how you can help making this time a little bit brighter for those who are struggling. And as you do so, may your Christmas be brighter too.
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
"Trees for Charity" Rakes in Cash
Vernal's dinner and raffle fundraising event, started in 1997, raised $200,000 to be shared among several local charities. It was the best outcome since its inception.
Sixty trees were auctioned off to about 400 participants. Organizations such as Utah Foster Care Foundation, American Cancer Society, and Heart 4 Harvest will receive part of the proceeds.
You don't have to be part of an organized event to make the difference in someone's life. A St. George, UT family has decided to spend their Christmas delivering presents and medical supplies to a village in Guatemala.
Have you ever decided to skip a purchase and use that money to buy something for someone in need? If you haven't, perhaps, this Christmas might just be the beginning of a new tradition for your family.
Monday, December 2, 2013
Spaghetti Anyone?
Yesterday was a shopping day for the children in the Kids 'N Cops program in Eau Claire, WI. The program was started in 2010 and allows children to buy Christmas toys they would not otherwise be able to purchase.
The money for the shopping spree was raised by selling tickets to a spaghetti dinner to members of the community. Cops "...traded their cuffs and radios for gloves and tongs to serve hundreds of meals."
Check around your community to see if they have programs to benefit children during this time of year. If none are present, consider uniting forces with a community organization and make this Christmas season a little bit more special for the children in your area.
Sunday, December 1, 2013
Bless Friday
Thanksgiving is over and the shopping season has begun with the famous Black Friday events throughout the nation. Everywhere, stores have offered items at a discount to kick off sales in preparation for the Christmas holiday. People flocked to the stores, well.... stampeded to the stores in order to buy presents for family and friends and, possibly, themselves.
To put Christ back into Christmas, some churches in Texas participated in the "Bless Friday" event. This annual occurrence aims at using the famous shopping day to serve the community instead. It is a way to remember why Christmas exists. It does not exists to open presents we soon forget about. It exists to celebrate the birth of Christ, One who served others and One who loved others.
In a world where people are becoming more self centered every day, it is good news to hear of individuals who serve others instead!
Have you served someone today?
To put Christ back into Christmas, some churches in Texas participated in the "Bless Friday" event. This annual occurrence aims at using the famous shopping day to serve the community instead. It is a way to remember why Christmas exists. It does not exists to open presents we soon forget about. It exists to celebrate the birth of Christ, One who served others and One who loved others.
In a world where people are becoming more self centered every day, it is good news to hear of individuals who serve others instead!
Have you served someone today?
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