Spread Holiday Cheer: Support Local Nonprofits with Year-End Giving
Things are beginning to look merry and bright all around us as Christmas and New Year approach. Here I am as Santa’s elf asking you to consider in your holiday plans a charitable nonprofit that you and your family can make a year-end gift to. Many nonprofits rely heavily on year-end funding with a significant portion of their annual revenue often coming in during December. Year-end fundraising can account for as much as 25% of a non-profit’s total income. Your gift — no matter the size — will make a difference!
I want to highlight several nonprofits in Denton County that you might consider. Once again, I want to emphasize that a donation should come from the heart. There should be some sort of affinity for the mission of the nonprofit. Something about what the nonprofit does to improve lives should resonate with your heart.
Secondly, I value including our children in decisions about year-end giving. It is very important that as parents we teach our children about giving back and philanthropy.
Research shows that children who participate in philanthropic activities thrive mentally, emotionally, and physically. Adolescents that serve their communities usually have better physical health and a positive outlook on their lives.
The holiday season inspires gift giving and generosity. The following local nonprofits are charities that I have worked with and support. Their missions and purposes all resonate with my heart. By the way, there are over 1.5 million nonprofits in the United States with great missions!
Christian Community Action (CCA) – Since 1973, CCA has been rescuing, healing, feeding, and educating families in need. What started as a Bible study of seven people 50 years ago has grown into an organization of 30 employees and over 5,600 volunteers dedicated to serving. CCA ministers to the poor by providing families with assistance with utilities, job training, and weekly food supplies. CCAHelps.org
PediPlace – The mission of PediPlace is to make healthcare a reality for every kid. Families assume they cannot access quality care if they are uninsured, or use Medicaid or CHIP benefits. But they can. Thanks to the talented medical team and caring supporters, PediPlace proves healthcare can be both affordable and exceptional. They are reaching parents who would otherwise resort to the ER or costly urgent care facilities. PediPlace.org
LovePacs – Recently I was reminded of Lovepacs through my membership in Cross Timbers Rotary Club. This nonprofit supports children and families who are food insecure. Lovepacs’ mission is to engage communities to feed children in need as an expression of Love. Lovepacs serves children on the free and reduced lunch program through area public schools. We have established a direct relationship with school counselors and administrators in order to properly identify children in need. Lovepacs provides mostly non-perishable, easy to open, and minimal cooking food items, both meals and snacks. In addition, they provide school counselors with stocked snack closets they may distribute to children who demonstrate a need. LovePacs.org
Salvation Army – It is red kettle season! When you see the red kettles outside of your favorite big box store, do you stop and put some change in? Do you teach your children to put money in the red kettle to support the Salvation Army? This has always been one of my favorite memories in regard to teaching my children about volunteering and being philanthropic. The mission of the Salvation Army is helping those in need. The Salvation Army is motivated by the love of God to meet human needs in God’s name without discrimination. The Salvation Army’s programs are vast, from providing food to shelter to job training, to name a few. I had a friend years ago whose parents were migrant workers. She was 7 years old and staying in a Salvation Army shelter on Christmas Eve. She was worried that Santa Claus wouldn’t know where to find her as she was living in a shelter. On Christmas morning, she awoke to the most beautiful doll lying at the end of her bed! Santa Claus did find my friend through the Salvation Army! SalvationArmyNTx.org (Read more on page
There are numerous non-profits worthy of support. The editor gave me a word limit. If not I could go on and on about non-profits worthy of your hard earned money and love! On the next page is a list of nonprofits in Denton County I primarily sourced from the local Chambers of Commerce. If anyone is omitted, I am sorry! I am certain your mission is worthy of support.
As we celebrate the holidays, may we all feel surrounded with love, family, laughter, and the blessings of our community, and may we be filled with gratitude for charities and nonprofits in Denton County and beyond!
