For most, Christmas is a time of celebration, of family re-unions and of great food! However, for many, Christmas is not the joyful time of year it ought to be. This Christmas, why don’t you make it a special one by giving back! I’ve suggested several ways in which you can do this! Check ’em out!
1. SUPPORT THE JesusLovesMe GIVES BACK CAMPAIGN
The JesusLovesMe Team are doing a Good Night, Sleep Tight Sponsored Sleep to raise awareness of the rising number of people sleeping rough on the streets in the UK. They will be hoping to raise money to provide sleeping bags for the many that live on the streets without the basic necessities of life. If you would like to donate to this worthy cause, click here
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2. MAKE A CHARITY SHOEBOX
Operation Christmas Child is the world’s largest Christmas charity project. Run by Christian charity The Samaritan’s Purse, all volunteers have to do is take an old shoebox and fill it with gifts for children living in extreme poverty. Just decide whether you want the box to go to a boy of girl and select the age group. The boxes are then shipped direct to the child for them to open at Christmas.
Plus, if you’re pushed for time over the festive season you can even create one online. For more info visit their website.
3. DONATE TO CENTREPOINT
Winter is often the hardest time of the year for the homeless. Thousands of young runaways are forced to sleep outside in freezing temperatures without adequate clothing and food. They are at risk of violent attacks, isolated and vulnerable to exploitation. But this can be changed. Donating to Centrepoint really can change someone’s Christmas. Running one of London’s largest homeless centres, the charity can ensure that those most in need can have a safe place to stay on Christmas Eve and enjoy a Christmas dinner for only £15.
For those with more to give, it is also possible to sponsor a room for £12 per month. You will be updated about which individual is staying there and how you have helped change a person’s future, not just Christmas but for life. You can donate here
4. FOSTER A PET THIS CHRISTMAS
Not forgetting about our furry friends…the RSPCA offers a pet fostering scheme for the Christmas period. If you’re interested in taking part please click at these adorable puppies.
5. BUY FAIRTRADE
Products with the Fair Trade symbol guarantee that an item was produced in a slavery-free environment and that the producer was granted a fair price.
Why not check out the amazing range of festive Fair Trade products on offer and help to make this year a slavery-free Christmas.
It’s important that we remember that one of the core values of Christmas is about giving. My hope in writing this article is that someone would read, decide to put someone else’s needs ahead of their own and in turn give someone else a christmas they will remember for a long time. Again, there are many ways in which you can give somebody a memorable Christmas and each of these powerful initiatives stand alone in their own right. So go ahead, click the links and make the Christmas a special one.
Written by Laura Shaw
laura[at]itsmilkandhoney.com