So, You Wish To Help Those In Need... (Website info incl.!!)

But you don't know where to go or where to start?

First of all, decide if you wish to make a monetary donation, item (food, clothing or toys and books) donation, or donate some of your free time (like in a Soup Kitchen).

Once you have decided which way (or ways) to go, then figure out your ending budget (as to stay within your means of monetary comfort level).

After you do steps one and two, then you need to find a place (or the places) to go to as to make your donation happen.

As someone who has had to have help around the holidays with getting gifts for my children (food was never an issue for us), believe me when I say that the recipient(s) of your generosity, love and compassion are beyond grateful, your willingness to help those in need, are NOT lost. Especially when it comes to seeing the smiles on our children's faces come Christmas morning.

To the people and the organizations that had helped us in the past, THANK YOU!!!

Now, as a tradition in our family (of two parents and three kids), we donate spare change as we can throughout the Thanksgiving/Christmas holiday season. Also, we donate to the Salvation Army's "Angel Tree" Organization.

I see it as giving back and paying it forward, being that they and a couple of churches have helped us in the past. Now, we aren't as strapped as we used to be. And it teaches my children a valuable lesson in giving, caring and what it means to help your community.

When we go to the mall, we let THEM each pick a child of their choosing (boy or girl), and they choose the age range (usually their age) and then my husband and I try to find a child that is 3 years old or younger.

Then, we take them to places like Family Dollar or Dollar General and have them buy a book (or coloring book), one or two age-appropriate toys, and at least one outfit and some socks.

After that, we let them help pack or wrap the gifts and place them in to a shopping bag (grocery size) and we place the tag with the child's number on it.

Within 72 hours, my kids are taken back to the mall and THEY place their bag(s) of presents for their child under the Angel Tree.

So, here below will be some Charitable Organizations, with their website address and a small description of what they do. Or they may be sites to help direct you to things like your local Soup Kitchen, or Shelter..

Have a safe, fun, happy and GIVING Christmas/Hanukkah season, everyone!


Toys For Tots is ran by the Marine Corps. You bring them unwrapped, unopened/used toys, and they donate them to your locality's kids in need.

Soup Kitchen Locality Directory List is where you can find a place near you to serve a hot Holiday Meal to those in Homeless Shelters.

ASPCA is the site to go to if you wish to help organizations that help treat, house and find new "forever homes" for animals. They are in desperate need all of the time for food, animal toys, supplies like blankets and towels and even bathing supplies.

Angel Tree helps supply Christmas gifts to deprived, in-need children who's families cannot afford much this year (out of work, laid off, disabled and cannot work) because food and medication are more important, as well as heating and shelter this Winter Season. You can donate books, toys and/or clothing.

Goodwill will accept your gently-used or even NEW items to put up for sale in their shops. Their items are sold for extremely low prices and will help those that CAN afford to buy (a few things)for their family members. Plus it puts your community's citizens to work. At your locality's various donation stations and within your community's stores.

Christmas Charity is your ultimate, one-stop-shop for charitable organizations that not only include those mentioned above, but MANY, MANY others as well. For the USA and abroad, as well.

My 10 Fave Things/Blogs...And an award to boot!

First of all, thank you...a B-I-G THANK YOU to Bill for my purty award (and to Mike as well)!

Let's see here, I got some work to do. First of all, I think I will start with my ten favorite things/people in my life....

1) My husband and children. If it weren't for them, I would be lost. They bring new adventures and renewed joy to my life on a daily basis. Even if I do at times want to shove them off to a far away land and have a vacation from their wackiness once in a while.

2) My Cornea Donor. Without him/her, I would most likely not even have my eye at all, let alone the vision in it. They literally gave me back the window to the world. They are my hero, along side my husband and kids. My Donor's gift will never be forgotten.

3) Beauty of nature. I love going up to the Blue Ridge and watching the wildlife. I love seeing land that is unscathed by today's need for industrialization.

4) Coffee....The staple of my morning. Without my daily java fix, my mornings would be unbearable. I need to wake up to Breakfast Blend in my cup! 'Nuff said.

5) The Transplant Experience Community Group (TEC) on Facebook. They are my "lifeline" and "home" where I can get advice and support from others in the Transplant Community.

6) Volunteering. I do volunteer work at my childrens' school. It is a great feeling and warms my heart to know that I am able to touch such impressionable young lives and help them see that learning is fun. And they also see that people DO care about them and their education.

7) Reading. I have always been a "book lover" and can read an over 200 page novel within about 3 or 4 days if it's REALLY good.

8) Blogging. Writing is my passion. It always has been. And it's my form of personal therapy, helping others see that they are not alone in situations and is a wonderful outlet tool.

9) Talking to friends. Not just on the internet. Not just on the phone. But face-to-face.

10) Last, but certainly NOT least... Coffee! Oh wait. I already mentioned that, didn't I? My bad. Eh...


Now for the following 10 Blogs that are MUST READS according to yours truly! (In no particular order, mind you)....

                                                     And the "Happy-101" Award goes to....

1) Angel Believes (http://singedwingangel.blogspot.com/)....This woman can make you laugh, get angry, and cry (most of the time from the laughter) all in a single post. And she does NOT sugar-coat.

2) I Like To Fish (http://fisherofstories.blogspot.com/)....You want funny with a side of warped? You can get it right here!!

3) Sugar Pies (http://www.sugarpiesfood.com/)... This man has the most delectable sweet treats you could ever feast your eyes on! Too bad I'm scared to try the recipes in fear of burning down my house.

4) Leigh vs. Laundry (http://leighvslaundry.blogspot.com/)... A fellow Stay-At-Home Mom who is just way funnier than moi. She will have you in stitches when you are done reading her.

5) Journey To Joy (http://journeytojoy-timberwolf123.blogspot.com/)... What can I say? This blog is a really inspirational "eye opener". Bill takes you in to yourself and makes you think in a different direction.

6) Coffee With Marty (http://coffeewithmarty.blogspot.com/)... Marty is a Christian. And he is a Coffee lover (to the tenth power!). Need I really say more?

7) I am lotus (http://sarcasticmom.com/)... She takes motherhood AND sarcasm/snark to a whole other level.

8) Busted Plumbing (http://www.bustedplumbing.com/)... The tales, trials and tribulations of a woman fighting infertility. Most of the time, with humor!

9) Donate Life Organ & Tissue (http://donatelife-organdonation.blogspot.com/)... Need I say more?

10) (Hiding from the Kids) (http://ina9linebind.blogspot.com/)... A funny take/look for a working mom with kids.


BLOG AWARD WINNERS!!!.....Your turn to name your 10 favorite things and blogs. Pass it on, people. That is, unless you have ALREADY RECIEVED/PASSED ON the award!