A Season of Giving
Katie O'Brien

Want a chance to give back to your community this holiday season? Well, around this time of year, there are many different and unique charities, fundraisers and drives that you can donate to right here in the Lowell area. After all “It’s better to give than to receive”.  

As Christmas and Hanukah approach, a global organization that helps thousands of children have a great holiday season is TOYS-FOR-TOTS. With more than 80 towns in Massachusetts containing “drops”, including three here at UML alone, this charity is an easy one to help. When you donate just one toy, you are helping out a huge charity, and giving a child a better holiday. TOYS-FOR-TOTS gives to children ages 1-14, and are usually in need of donations for older age kids. However, if you don’t have the money to spend on toys, TOYS-FOR-TOTS could also use your time. Volunteers are always appreciated and welcomed by TOYS-FOR-TOTS.

Along with TOYS-FOR-TOTS, another common holiday fundraiser is the Salvation Army. The Salvation Army is at your local malls, outside grocery stores, and basically anywhere that expects a high level of foot traffic. This origination helps many causes throughout the year; large parts of all of them directly concern children. Your donations go towards summer camps, women and children shelters, low income families and communities caught in emergencies. Along with TOYS-FOR-TOTS, The Salvation Army is in huge need for volunteers to ring that little bell. They are, in fact, so understaffed that they have resorted to cardboard cut outs in some parts of the nation, as makeshift signs.  

Other places that are always looking for help and donations around this time can be located not only around Lowell, but even your hometown. Hospital’s, nursing homes, YMCA’s’, after school programs, and many shelters are not only looking for great volunteers around the holidays but also year round. 

So from giving toys to dropping a can of soup in a food drive, there are many easy ways to give back to the community that has given to you. And there is no better way to get into the holiday spirit than helping out others. If you are interested in helping out TOYS-FOR-TOTS just go to http://www.toyfortots-mass.com. Donations can be made online. Additionally, information about the Salvation Army is available at  http://www.SalvationArmyUSA.org .