Local organizations to give to this holiday season

It’s easy to get wrapped up in our family’s wants + needs during the holiday season,which can lead us to forget about those who are less fortunate. Many people in our community are homeless, going hungry, or simply don’t have enough money to buy gifts for their children.

So, in the spirit of giving, we’re giving you a guide to giving back. Whether you’re looking to make an impact during the holidays, or all year long– here is a list of local charities that you can support.

Looking for our complete 2019 holiday guide? Find it here.

Special events

○ MUSC Children’s Hospital Radiothon | Dec. 5-6 | 6 a.m.- 8 p.m. | Tune into 103.5 WEZL + Y102.5 to hear heartwarming stories from caregivers and patient families, and call in either channel to donate. Make an online donation here.

○ Palmetto Community Action Partnership’s Friends & Fundraiser Luncheon | Dec. 9 | 12-1:30 p.m. | Founders Hall at Charles Towne Landing, 1500 Old Towne Rd., West Ashley | $75

○ American Red Cross Blood Drive | Dec. 18 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, 109 Bee St. | Free, make your appointment here

○ Charleston Hope Wrapping Night | Dec. 6 | Multiple times available | Help decorate and set up for Wrapping Night – a night where gifts will be given out to local students in need. Sign up here.

Help those in need

Donate to the Water Mission in your loved one's name + they will receive a Christmas card in the mail depicting someone who is benefitting from your gift. | Photo via Water Mission

○ Water Mission | Instead of your typical stocking stuffer, donate $10 (starting value) to the Charleston-based nonprofit Water Mission’s efforts in your loved one’s name. Your mom, dad, sister, friend will receive a Christmas card in the mail depicting someone who is benefitting from your gift. Water Mission will use these funds to install more water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) solutions to communities in need access to clean drinking water.

○ Lowes Foods’ Friends Feeding Friends | Through Dec. 31, at North + South Carolina Lowes Foods locations, you can buy pre-packaged donation bags of non-perishable Lowes Foods items; donate non-perishable food items at in-store donation bins; or give cash donations at the registers. To date, this campaign has provided more than 16 million meals to those in need.

○ Toys for Tots | Drop off new, opened toys to Cantina 76 in Mount Pleasant (819 Coleman Blvd.) or to either Office Evolution location (Mount Pleasant, Downtown) through Dec. 15 to donate.

○ Christmas Commandos | “Escorted by police, we hang presents from trees in front of homes where children have lost a parent over the past year, some as recently as today. Every child receives a full Christmas, from Barbies to Bikes. Our organization receives names from sources such as hospices, guidance counselors, churches and members of the community.” For volunteer opportunities, follow along on their Facebook page or call (843) 224-9667.

East Cooper Community Outreach | Make a financial contribution, donate food or clothing, provide pro-bono services, + more. ECCO helps local families with programs servicing basic needs, health services, + empowerment. This year's annual ‘Adopt a Family’ project is completely filled up with all families adopted – but donations of gift cards + gift wrapping material are still being accepted.

Halos | Halos provides support + advocacy to abused and neglected children and kinship caregivers– such as children being raised by a grandparent so they do not have to go into foster care. Make a monetary donation here.

Bread and Butter | Donations help support local students aspiring to work in the hospitality industry– through after school programs for at-risk youth, high school culinary programs, + programs that work with non-violent offenders. This year, they aim to raise $50,000 during their fundraising campaign.

Doors to Freedom | Provides a safe place, tools, education, and counseling for Lowcountry women who are survivors of sex trafficking– all free of charge for the women. Now through Dec. 25, the organization hopes to raise $15,625. Donate here.

Birthdays for All | Donate unwrapped toys or sponsor a giving tree to help every child in foster care celebrate their birthday. You can grab a birthday wish list at Sugar Snap Pea in Mount Pleasant or Kiawah year round.

Lowcountry Food Bank | Donations help provide meals for children and seniors in need. This year, the Holiday Festival of Lights at James Island County Park is offering $5 off the entry fee for visitors who bring a canned food item or dog/cat food to donate Mondays through Thursdays.

My Sister's House Holiday Donation Drive | Through Dec. 14, drop off new clothes, toys, household items, and gift cards to Verità (320 W. Coleman Blvd,, Mount Pleasant) or any of the Polly's locations (Mount Pleasant, North Charleston, and Summerville).

Other organizations to consider: Meeting Street Schools, Engaging Creative Minds, Charleston Animal Society, Bellies Babies + Beyond, One80 Place, My Sister’s House, Palmetto Goodwill, Charleston Moves, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Camp Happy Days, Charleston Friends of the Library, Habitat for Humanity, Charleston Miracle League, Courageous Kidz, Darkness to Light, Dee Norton Lowcountry Children’s Center, Fields to Families, I <3 Hungry Kids, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Charleston Communities in Schools, For the Exceptional, Junior Achievement, Junior Girls Day Out Community Project, Louie’s Kids, Lowcountry Pregnancy Center, Rein & Shine, Windwood Family Services, Lowcountry Orphan Relief, Be a Mentor