Your Northern Michigan Guide to Giving Back this Holiday Season
One of the best ways to instill a sense of generosity and empathy in your little ones, is to model a giving spirit and to get them involved in the charities you care about. In addition to teaching valuable life lessons, there are several studies showing that donating time and resources can even lead to greater happiness.
Giving can start at home with the following seasonal campaigns in Northern Michigan:
Toys for Tots
The mission of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is to collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December each year, and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to needy children in the community in which the campaign is conducted. NW Michigan Marine Toys for Tots serves the counties of Grand Traverse, Leelanau, Antrim, Kalkaska and Benzie.
More information and drop off locations
Salvation Army - Traverse City
Donate
Join the Salvation Army in spreading the joy of the season by becoming a Teen Angel, purchasing items from the Christmas Wishes or sponsoring a Holiday Food Basket, Meal, becoming a sponsor or by making a financial donation.
Purchase gifts online from their online Angel Tree
Volunteer to Help
The gift of your time is priceless. Volunteers are needed to help sort the toys and facilitate the distribution at the Salvation Army Toy Shop, prepare food baskets, holiday meals, guest relations, and administrative assistance.
Goodwill of Northern Michigan
Goodwill offers various ways to help people experiencing homelessness this holiday season including Welcome Home Baskets and Basic Needs donations.
Welcome Home Baskets help people moving from homelessness into new homes start off strong.
Basic Needs donations help keep our neighbors safe and warm while they work to end their homelessness.
Women’s Resource Center 2022 Holiday Needs Giving Program
Here are ways you can help:
Adopt a family and shop for items on a family’s wish list
Adopt a family and create a “Giving Tree” at your organization, and work as a team to fulfill a family’s wish list
Donate gift cards to national retailers such as Target & Walmart or give VISA gift cards
Make a cash/check donation. Make checks payable to “WRC”; write “Holiday Needs Program” on the memo line.
Volunteer to be a helper on drop-off and pick-up dates
Gift drop-off dates are December 12th and 13th 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Paper Angels - by Child & Family Services
Each year our community embraces the people in our programs by adopting a wish list (or more) during the holidays. These wish lists are created by Child & Family Services’ clients and filled by the members of their community, ensuring that every family has a few presents under the tree.
At this time all lists have been adopted. But you can still donate to their Angel Fund that helps pay for gifts for kids that come into care near Christmas, and helps with birthday gifts and things kids and families need throughout the year.
Glen Lake Friends of the Library's 24th Annual Children's Book Drive
The Friends of Glen Lake Community Library are joining forces with Glen Lake Community Schools to provide new books for families & children who are in need of assistance this holiday season. The wish list can be found at Glen Lake Community Library & Cottage Book Shop. The Cottage Book Shop will give a 20% discount for books bought for the book drive & will wrap the books & take them to the library.
More information: 231-334-4223
Did we miss an opportunity for giving in Northern Michigan? Let us know!