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Give Back and Create a Magical Holiday for Everyone

Monday, November 26th, 2012

The holidays are magical. Candles and hot cider are coming out and cafes are filling up. Families gather together and yes, of course, presents are the best. It is also a great season to give back, to help a stranger, someone in your community or half way around the world.

Donating outgrown clothes, participating in a toy drive, supporting a charitable organization, even adopting a pet from a rescue center can make a huge difference and make the holidays a little more magical for someone.

CARE and give back

If you want to help fight global poverty during this holiday season, CARE is a great organization to support. They focus on poor women in the developing world because women are the ones who can help their families and entire communities escape poverty.

CARE works on:

improving education,
preventing spreading of diseases,
increasing access to clean water and sanitation,
expanding economic opportunities,
and protecting natural resources.

In 2011, CARE worked in 84 countries around the world. They supported 1,105 poverty-fighting projects and reached 122 million people, more than half of whom were women.

Here is a map of Latin American countries where CARE serves:

If you want to learn more about CARE, visit care.org. You can make a donation to this leading humanitarian organization here.

Give back to women in war-torn regions

There are 60 countries in the world currently involved in war conflicts and 365 countries that have military and paramilitary forces engaged in rebel or terrorist activities. (source: warsintheworld.com).

Women’s conditions in those countries are very bad. They struggle emotionally and physically. You can donate to Women for Women International or other organizations uplifting these women. Even small amounts of money can make an impact for women living under these conditions.

Help fight poverty by lending $25

Kiva.org is a non-profit organization that through loan programs, fights poverty around the world. You can lend as little as $25 to hundreds of listed entrepreneurs and help their businesses to become sustainable. At the moment you can give a loan to people in need from 13 Latin-American countries, such as: Mexico, Haiti, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay and Chile.

Here is an example on how Kiva.org works.

Volunteer at a soup kitchen

Volunteering at soup kitchens, pantries and shelters is a great opportunity to directly assist your community. The experience could even make the holiday season more magical for you.

Here is a list of agencies in Chicago that are looking for volunteers:

Adopt a pet as a holiday gift

We can also give back by adopting a homeless pet from a rescue center. If you are not quite ready for a commitment, you can volunteer in animal shelters or you can make small donations.

All these adorable puppies and kittens are waiting for a loving family. In return they offer their unconditional friendship and love.

Facebook us with holiday giveback ideas you have!

“Never worry about numbers. Help one person at a time and always start with the person nearest you.” Mother Teresa

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