Friday's Top Ten

It's the giving time of year again. Should you feel moved to give to those less fortunate this season, here's my own personal list of the top ten places that would certainly appreciate your gifts. Feel free to add your own in the comments.

The top ten groups that could use a Santa Elf:

10. Animal Shelters

  9. Homeless Shelters

  8. Women's Shelters

  7. Senior Centers

  6. Meals On Wheels

  5. Ronald McDonald House

  4. St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

  3. Fisher House Foundation

  2. Make-A-Wish Foundation

And the #1 group that could use a Santa Elf:

  1. Toys for Tots

Comments

Luanne G. Smith said…
That's a great list. Never heard of the Fisher House Foundation before. I'll have to check that one out. Another charity I love to give to at Christmas is Heifer International.

Have a great weekend.
Linda Kage said…
I saw a bulletin at work for people looking for Salvation Army bell ringers. That'd be a good one too!!

Nice list.
Slamdunk said…
Excellent idea Carol.

With your #5, we have done work for and donated to them for years. Certainly, they offer a needed program and do not get as much support from the McDonalds Corp. as most believe.
Colette Martin said…
Great list! We can all find someone to help on that list, I'm sure.
Jan Morrison said…
Good list! I would like to add Because I'm a Girl - through Plan Canada. The belief is that if we could empower young girls we would eradicate world poverty and hunger. Check it out! I am a foster parent to a young woman in Nepal with my friends. We've been watching her grow and get educated for eleven years now. She's nearly ready to fly. I also support Lotus Outreach which develops projects for women and children in vulnerable communities - especially those damaged by human trafficking and sexual slavery.
Joanne said…
Nice list today. And giving to Toys for Tots really makes us feel like Santa's elves, helping the children at the holidays :)
Carol Kilgore said…
L.G. - Yours is new to me, so I'll check it out :)

Linda - They're everywhere.

Slamdunk - Good for you.

Colette - A variety, for sure.

Jan - Empowering women is so important. I'm going to check out yours, too.
LR said…
Thumbs up to all of those. Good causes.

Have a nice weekend. :)
Excellent suggestions. Most people don't even think of Meals on Wheels. They need volunteers as well.
Anonymous said…
We do Toys For Tots every year. Knotts Berry farm offers free admission a couple of days around this time for donating toys.
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Mason Canyon said…
What a wonderful list Carol. So glad you mentioned the Senior Centers and Meals ON Wheels. All of the organizations on your list are very worthy causes.

Mason
Thoughts in Progress
VR Barkowski said…
Terrific list. Like L.G., I also give to Heifer International during the holidays. But as Alex reminded us, it doesn't have to mean giving dollars we don't have. Volunteering our time is priceless.
Linda G. said…
Great list, Carol. Especially Toys for Tots at this time of year. The Marines do such a great job with that.
Carol Kilgore said…
Joanne - Exactly!

LR - Happy Weekend to you, too :)

Alex - Excellent point about volunteering. Thanks!

Stephen - Good for you. And you're teaching your kids :)

viju - Thank you.

Mason - And all can use our help, in whatever way we can provide it.

VR - I looked them up since I responded to L.G. above. Very worthy endeavor. Thanks to both of you for introducing me.
Carol Kilgore said…
Linda - Yup. Semper Fi!
Julie Flanders said…
What a great idea for a list! All such wonderful causes, I wish I had the money to donate to all of them.
A great list. Lots of choices to do good works.
Donna V.
~Sia McKye~ said…
I'm feeling cold so I decided to come visit the Tiki Hut and warm up.

I regularly give to Ronald McDonald House and Make a Wish and I've done my share of volunteer work and donations for our Animal Shelter.

A great list, Carol!

Sia McKye's Thoughts...OVER COFFEE
Carol Kilgore said…
Julie - I wish we all did!

Donna - Something for everyone :)

Sia - Good for you! Make yourself at home and soak up some sun :)
Emily R. King said…
We do Toys for Tots every year. My kiddos pick out the toys and we drop them off together. It's one of my favorite holiday traditions.
Carol Kilgore said…
Emily - Great family activity!
This is such a wonderful list for this time of year when we're busy thinking of gifts for each other, instead of focusing on the people who really need them. Many of these charities accept gently used items, so we don't even have to reach further than our closets. Thanks Carol for bringing a good dose of holiday spirit! Julie
Arlee Bird said…
I'm sure these are all wonderful. Charities are probably going to be overworked this year. Times are bad for a lot of folks.

Lee
Wrote By Rote
Great list. I wish we would help these organizations throughout the year too. The economy has forced hardship on people who have never experienced it before.

T
Great list. I wish we would help these organizations throughout the year too. The economy has forced hardship on people who have never experienced it before.

T
Liza said…
As I currently work at a Senior Center and coordinate the Meals on Wheels Program, I thank you for your list!
Tami Brothers said…
Best top ten yet. :)

Reminds me we need to grab the winter coats we donate each year.

Thanks for the ideas on a few others.

You rock!

Tami
Carol Kilgore said…
Julie - You're welcome :)

Arlee - You're so right about rough times.

Teresa - So do I. But if we can at least remember once a year, it's better than nothing.

Liza - You see it everyday. I'm sure your work is much appreciated.

Tami - A coat in the winter; a fan in the summer. Such small things might save a life.
Anonymous said…
Great list. I already have and will continue to give this holiday season.

Enjoy your weekend.
Talei said…
Oh, I love your list!

I would add a UK charity - Richards House Hospice for Children. They do amazing work.

Hope your weekend is a good one. x
Carol Kilgore said…
Medeia - Wonderful!

Talei - I'm glad to hear of them. Thanks.
PK HREZO said…
I love that you make it easy for everyone. So important to remember others... this is the time of year when suicide rates are the highest too. We are trying to get our kids in the spirit of giving back to th community during the holidays. It's so great their school does the same.
Anonymous said…
A very thought provoking list. Xmas is a time to remember such things. I fancy working on Christmas Day in a soup kitchen sometime too.
Carol Kilgore said…
PK - So great that your kids are learning early at home. And that those practices are reinforced at school.

Madeleine - Yes...some type of hands-on.
Lydia Kang said…
For me, it's the local charities that put together packages for families in need. :)
Carol Kilgore said…
Lydia - Those are always in need. They never have enough donations.
Great spirit of giving post, Carol. Toys for Tots and Salvation Army are always on my CMas gift list. There are so many needs to be filled.

A lot of people don't know that animal shelters need ratty old blankets and towels for the dogs to lie on and for towelling them dry after baths.

Also for most shelters, collect the little soaps and shampoos and such from your hotel stays (believe me, you pay for them) and donate to the shelters what you don't use. Hospice uses them too.
Carol Kilgore said…
Excellent ideas, Annie!
Laura Eno said…
How did I miss my Friday Top Ten fix? O.o
Excellent choices. We always give to Toys for Tots. Animal shelters are a weak spot in my heart. I'd be the funny cat lady with a houseful if I could. They all deserve a home!
Carol Kilgore said…
I'm the same about dogs and cats deserving homes :)

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