Letters to Santa = Donations to Make-A-Wish Foundation

Macy's has set up their Letter to Santa stations in their stores.  You can pick up post cards for your children to write their letter on, put a stamp on it, and return it to the store in the red mail box.  For every letter they receive, they will donate $1 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation (up to $1,000,000!).

Go to :  http://social.macys.com/believe/#/createyourletter  for more information  (and to create your letter on line)

If you are interested in finding out more about the Make-A-Wish Foundation.  Contact the chapter nearest you ( Go to:  http://www.wish.org/chapterlocate ) and ask how you can help.

This would make an excellent service project for primary, young women, church groups, whatever. Adults can write letters too (I mailed mine at the Henderson Macy's  on Sunset this morning).

Spend a Little, Give a Lot

I don’t know about you, but I always get a tug at my heartstrings to help people in need – especially during the holiday season.  This year the need is more urgent than ever. Sit down with your family and decide as a family what you would like to do. Here is a list published by Oprah of her suggested ways to give:

For as little as:

$  5         you can pay for the shipping of 10 books to a classroom in
               Africa.       booksforafrica.org

$10         you can help a wounded veteran adapt his home at no cost
               to him.       homesforourtroops.org

$10       you can help get music back in low-income schools

              ($2 buys drum sticks, $50 buys a guitar)

               littlekidsrock.org

$14         you can provide for two meals to be delivered by meals
               on wheels to a housebound senior citizen.

                mowaa.org

$25         you can send 8 high-risk children on a field trip to a museum
               or concert.    createnow.org

$25         you can feed an American child in need three meals a day
               for more than a month.       strength.org/ways_to_give

$35         you can help feed the poor in areas of the world that need
               it most.          foodforthepoor.org

$100       you can provide 25 grocery bags of healthy foods for
               families at food banks.    strength.org/ways_to_give

Or browse this site for other ideas.

Holiday Service Opportunities

Make November and December special months for remembering the aged who are disabled, impoverished or aching with loneliness. Redefine Thanksgiving and Christmas as seasons for preparing to bring hope and peace  to needy older neighbors. Share dinner with a new neighbor or one who is alone. You could also take dinner to a shut-in. A neighborhood potluck supper could help those who live around you feel a spirit of friendship and acceptance. (Be sure to include the needs of elderly members of your own family in your holiday preparations).

Have children craft greeting cards, assemble food baskets or make supervised home or hospital visits.

Why not surprise them with a Christmas stocking.

Items for "Senior Stockings" such as note cards, stamps, personal care, ornaments, new dish towels and napkins, gift boxes of dried fruit or candy, gum, mugs, knit gloves and slippers, candles, photo frames, stationery, and gift certificates.

Have your children go with you to deliver it. What a nice way to brighten their day.