Best Charities to Donate to During the Holidays

The holiday season is great; hot chocolate, snow, spending time with family and friends, the list never ends. It’s a time to appreciate all that money can’t buy and a time to give back. There are so many places we can donate to and so many people we can help, here’s a list of just a few that stick out to me…

1. St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital

I’m sure many people have seen commercials for one of the most famous children’s hospitals in the country. Nearly 85% of all donations go directly to research. St. Jude’s philosophy is no child should be turned down because of a family’s financial status. Your donations will help pay for a child treatment whose family cannot afford it. By supporting this foundation, you are truly contributing to saving a life.

2. One Warm Coat

One Warm Coat started in 1992 and since then, they have spread nationwide, donated over 4 million coats to those in need, and supported tens of thousands of coat drives. 95% of the money donated goes straight to their foundations. Just by donating one dollar, you can help provide two coats. This charity’s goal is to provide men, women, and children with warm coats during the cold winter season. So by donating money or old coats you have lying around, you can make a huge difference to someone in need.

3. Toys for Tots

The United States Marine Corps Reserve runs Toys for Tots and their mission is to deliver toys to as many underprivileged kids they can during the holiday season. Toys for Tots was created in 1947 when a woman wanted to donate a doll but couldn’t find any charity to take her toy. Over 97% of donations go straight to their program, which helps provide toys, books, etc. to children whose parents’ cannot afford these gifts. You can donate money or you can donate some old, but still usable toys. So if you’re cleaning around your home and come around some toys that are no longer used, keep Toys for Tots in mind!

4. Fisher House Foundation

Fisher House Foundation is a charity that helps give back to members of our military and their families. Fisher Houses are located close to medical centers where an injured combatant is receiving treatment, where their family can stay at no cost. Additionally, they run the Hero Miles program and Hotels for Heroes which accepts donated hotel/flyer miles to unite and house families. Our veterans risk their lives everyday for our freedom and it is important we give back and treat them with the upmost respect.

5. Your Local Soup Kitchen

The soup kitchens are an awesome place to donate to, you can donate money, help bag lunches and meals to-go, or even volunteer to be a cook or a server where you can intermingle and socialize with those who you are helping. Also, since soup kitchens are smaller local charities you can directly see the impact your donations have on those in need, which is a very rewarding feeling.

6. Animal Welfare Institute

The Animal Welfare Institute helps prevent and save animals from cruel conditions. Animal factories, leghold traps, animal testing, the list goes on and on, and this charity is trying create better living conditions for ALL living creatures. About 92% of these donations go straight to the program, which helps them attempt to abolish factory farms, protect endangered species, and improve the conditions for animals in testing. If you’re an animal lover, I highly recommend looking in to this charity; you can make a difference for all the suffering innocent animals.

There are many, many other great charities out there that need our help, these are just a few. Helping those in need shouldn’t just be a seasonal thing, we should always be thinking of how we can help others and save the planet. I encourage you to look into all types of charities and lend a hand to those in need.