Projo Holidays Blog

December 20, 2007 Archives

While adding to projo's list of holiday giving options, I remembered something that's been bugging me this season. I could be wrong, but it seems I'm seeing fewer people dropping money into the traditional Salvation Army red kettles.

Maybe it's because these are the days of the debit card, or maybe folks are just a little too harried to pull out their cash, but lately, those bell ringers seem a little more lonely to me than usual.

But that little bit of change helps the organization serve nearly 5 million people at Christmas and 35 million people throughout the year.

Yesterday I walked by the one stationed in front of Providence City Hall. I made small talk with the bell-ringer, and promised to donate some change on my way back from my errands. He seemed very cold, and joked with me that he'd like to wear the scarf that was around my neck. Sorry, no scarf, but I did throw a buck in the kettle.

If you're feeling guilty about passing by these donation points, there's any easy, debit-ready way to still give. Go to the Salvation Army's Web site, and make a donation directly. They also have a way you "host" your own virtual red kettle. It's a fairly high tech way to do some old-fashioned good.

Has the holiday spirit put you in a giving mood?

The Providence Journal continues to publish requests from local charities for holiday giving. In addition to the full list of charities on our Web site, we've added a few more you may want to help out this season, or throughout the year:

GENERAL

VIPS (Volunteers In Providence Schools)

The organization provides after-school tutoring and enrichment classes to hungry teenagers who attend Providence public schools. There are 25 or so high school students who come each day to theTechnology & Learning Center every afternoon for three hours after school to get homework help and tutoring. The organizationreally needs gift cards from area grocery stores or donations that will help us feed these hungry and eager-to-learn teenage students. For more information, call Theresa Seddon at VIPS, at (401) 274-3240.

ANIMALS

Animals Depend On People Too (A.D.O.P.T.)

The group that helps homeless pets at the Cranston Animal Shelter and throughout the state, is in need of monetary donations. A.D.O.P.T. also helps families throughout the state with financial help for sick or injured pets, spays and neuters and other problems. Call Linda Monahan at (401)-826-0320 .

The Hope For Animals Sanctuary

The cat shelter is in need of cash donations as well as litter, toys, cat food, cat toys, and soft blankets for beds. The sanctuary is also looking for foster homes for some of its special needs cats. Volunteers are always needed. For more information please contact Ann at (401) 966-4129. The web site is www.hopeforcatssanctuary.com

To be included in either the newspaper or online list, send your charity's information, including a name and contact number to pjnews@projo.com. Put Holiday Giving in the subject field.