When I announced my pregnancy a few weeks ago, I talked about gratitude. The holidays stir up those feelings in me even more.
For the last few years, my husband and I haven’t been big on getting Christmas gifts for each other. We get a few things here and there, but most of the time we just agree not to buy each other anything major. This year, we ordered a Panini Press on sale at Williams Sonoma as our gift for each other.
I think the joy of Christmas really comes from kids—seeing their smiling faces opening up their gifts and being so excited about Santa. I was lucky enough to be introduced to some charities where we can make a difference in the lives of children we’ll never meet.
Before I get into this post—this is not about “bragging” about what we do philanthropically—it’s about empowering other young people to reach out and make a difference in a child’s life. I feel like I have a platform here to really spread a message about giving back and based on the amazing comments I get everyday from my incredible readers, I know I will learn about many important organizations that a lot of you support as well.
Earlier this year, we started to sponsor a little girl named Jenifer in Guatemala through an organization called The Arms of Jesus Children’s Mission. My cousins have both gone on a Mission trip with this organization to help build houses for some of these families, so it’s an organization we wanted to contribute to because we know it makes a direct impact on the life of a child like making sure they have food and get to go to school. For just $35 each month (a few trips to Starbucks or ordering pizza in) you can help a child get the essentials we take for granted each day. During the holidays, The Arms of Jesus gives you a list of items you can choose from as a special holiday treat for your sponsored child. This year we had them send Jenifer some clothes and shoes and toys. If you’d like to learn more about this organization, please visit their website at: https://www.armsofjesus.org.
(from The Arms of Jesus website)
Every Christmas, we also sponsor a child through CPS (Child Protective Services) through their “Bearing Gifts” program. You can fulfill the wish of a child in care of CPS in Harris County by sponsoring a child and purchasing the three gifts on their wish list. This year, we sponsored a 7 year old girl. She wanted an Easy Bake Ultimate Oven, Girl Tech Password Journal and Hello Kitty CD Boombox. It was so much fun to go to Target and Walmart with my husband to get the gifts for her, knowing that though she is going through a tough time that she may not fully even understand…she will get to smile on Christmas morning like all children deserve to. You can check out the Bearing Gifts website if you are interested. Gifts are due by Dec. 14th. You can also help the organization in other ways, here.
(from the Bearing Gifts website—toys ready to go to each child that was sponsored!)
My boss at work sponsors several families through her church each year so a lot of my co-workers got together this year to sponsor multiple families. A lot of the kids are asking for coats and clothes and some toys—but the most heartbreaking thing I saw on the list was blankets. I don’t know why but (maybe due to my pregnancy hormones) I got teary eyed in the car on the way to Walmart because I was thinking of a child asking for a blanket on their Christmas wish list. We got some blankets and some sports equipment like a football, soccer ball, etc. I don’t have a specific link for this one, but a lot of schools and churches do programs like this for children and families in need during the holidays. Ask around in your community to see if there is a program in your area that supports local families.
If you can give this year—or any time of year—I encourage you to look into volunteer or sponsorship opportunities where you can make a difference. No matter what you’re passionate about, make one of your New Year resolutions to help make the world a better place—it’s an easy one to keep (and feel good about all year round) I promise.
Thank you for reading! Please feel free to share below any organizations you support during the holidays (or any time of year).
Whitney says
I love helping out at the holidays! This year we "adopted" a family at work and we're getting gifts for them. I'm just about to go get my gifts right now!
Vidhya says
I am so happy that you decided to share your philanthropic efforts with us. Great effort and I always hope more people will join in helping out the needy!
JCHokie says
it breaks my heart too that a child would have a blanket on their Christmas list. My work participates in different charities throughout the year with back to school supply drives and toy drives around the holidays. I love giving and knowing that I helped put a smile on a little face.
Karma Addict says
What a wonderful post and reminder.
All children should have something at Christmas. The Salvation Army has the Angel Tree. A child is chosen with a toy she/he would like as well as their clothing size. This year, my daughter's Key Club sponsored 2 children and they really came thru with each child getting 2 huge bags of toys and clothes. I've also participated in Toys for Tots sponsored by the Marines and my son participates in Child's Play Charity which donates new video games to hospitals for the children patients.
anoddgirl says
this is wonderful 🙂
my family sponsor a child in Bangladesh
xx
https://anoddgirl.blogspot.com.au
Angela says
V, these are great ideas for giving. My hubby and I don't really exchange gifts either. We prefer to enjoy the holidays with other family traditions. I love the suggestions you've shared here because they are things we can do with Clark. Thanks for sharing!
Angela
bowie kou says
Would you mind to tell me your height and weight before and now? you look so skinny!
maria says
What an amazing post and great reminder. You're awesome for this 🙂 I usually like to support soldiers during the holidays but this is something I'll have to remember. Also, I meant to mention this in the other post but you look great!
Mandy Brown says
Our church 'adopted' kids from the local orphanage last year and are doing it again last year. One very generous donor last year had name-engraved Bibles made for every single one of the 80 kids there…amazing! We adopted a child again this year. We've been so incredibly blessed…why not try to bless a child who doesn't have a home to go to?
Mrs. HaHa says
Every year I pick out atleast one child from a Salvation Army Angel Tree. This year I picked a 14 year old girl who asked for beauty and nail kits. I had so much fun at Ulta and Target picking out her goodies!
Mandi411 says
We, too, do a lot of philanthropic work — there's just something warming about doing for others. We've began involving our oldest children as of late, and it's becoming an eye-opener at the tender ages of 13 and 11. Thank you for sharing the above-mentioned charities — I've not heard of them before and intend to read more about them.
Jennifer says
I also love to give gifts to children in need during the holidays. It breaks my heart to look at the angel tree wishes from young kids who just want a sweater or socks…makes me feel pretty privileged. It may not be a lot, but I like to make the difference for a couple kids every year.
Another charity you might really like is Women for Women International. It's a charity set up to help women survivors of war get back on their feet. You can make a one time donation, but better still, you can set up a sponsorship. My favorite part is that I have been able to get letters from the woman I am sponsoring, and it is so amazing to hear about how her life is improving and what hopes she has now that she has been able to be part of this program. I love the personal connection aspect of this.
https://www.womenforwomen.org/