Though it’s important to teach kids the value of giving year-round, there’s just something extra special about helping those in need during the holiday season. From adopting a local family or giving toys to area children in need to making a donation to a charity focused on giving to children, there are many options to make a difference this time of year.
If your family is seeking a worthy charitable cause this season, consider the following options.
Cuyahoga County Children and Family Services
Donations of winter clothing, gift cards, toys and books make possible the Hope for the Holidays event. The annual gift program for children and teens in foster care invites children and foster parents to a holiday party, where they choose a brand new toy, game and book for themselves or a sibling.
Click here for more information.
Geauga County Job & Family Services
Supported solely by donations and sponsorships for more than 45 years, the Sponsor a Family program matches low income families, foster children and seniors in Geauga County with food and gifts for the holidays.
Click here for more information.
Lake County Job and Family Services
Each year, Lake County organizations, businesses, clubs and individuals become Santas for the roughly 100 children in custody who have been removed from the care of their families and are living in foster homes and residential placements.
Click here for more information.
One Simple Wish
This organization partners with foster agencies nationwide to compile kids’ wish lists. Donors can search the wishes by state, gender, donation amount and/or child’s interest to choose the wish they’d like to make come true.
Click here for more information.
Operation Homefront
Operation Homefront’s Holiday Toy Drive helps bring holiday cheer to military families. Dollar Tree stores take toy donations; toy and monetary donations also can be made directly to the organization.
Click here for more information.
Ronald McDonald House
Because Ronald McDonald Houses serve so many children and families, the organization is in need of donations of new, non-handmade toys year-round.
Click here for more information.
The Salvation Army
Each year, the Salvation Army provides thousands of families, children and individuals with toys and food vouchers through its Christmas Distribution. Volunteers are needed to give their time, monetary donations and toys.
Click here for more information.
Summit County Children Services
The agency accepts gift donations for its Toy Room, in addition to offering donors the chance to benefit its grocery gift card, teen gift card or adopt-a-family programs.
Click here for more information.
Toys for Tots
Local Toys for Tots campaigns are the heart and soul of the Marine Toys for Tots program managed by dedicated United States Marines and local volunteers.
To find a local campaign and for more information, click here.
USPS Operation Santa
Do-gooders can read letters to Santa and adopt one that speaks to their heart, find and pack the perfect gift, then deliver it to participating Post Office locations by Dec. 21.
Click here for more information and to find a participating location near you.
