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Make a Difference Helping Families in Need Through Donations

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Donating to charity is an activity that can always make you feel happy, proud and content. There are a lot of people and families in the U.S. that are in the need of help, and you can make a difference by making your charitable donations count. Research indicates that 70% of the American population makes some form of donation to charity every year. These donations are then used for helping families in need and providing them with hope of a better future.

If you are looking to donate to charity, donating clothing material is a great option for many reasons. 99% of discarded clothing can be effectively recycled and used, and donating your old clothes to charity ensures that charitable organizations can use them to help out those in need. Also, by making charitable clothing donations your clothes get recycled and do not contribute to landfill mass or cause extra pollution.

Making your Donations Count

The donations you make can go on to make a difference for military families. The unemployment rate for military vets is 2% higher than regular American citizens, and a little help can go a long way. Similarly, many charities also help out the blind population, using the funds generated from donations to develop special tools to help them lead a better life. Your clothing donations can also help make life better for the homeless population, and those living below the poverty line.

Getting your Donations Picked Up

To make the donation process easier, many organizations pick up your donations from your doorstep. If you are looking to make donations, look for charities that will pick up donations in your area. This way, you can expedite the donation process and do your bit in helping families in need.

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The Dos And Don’ts Of Donating To Charity

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Every year, 70% of Americans give to charity — whether it’s donating canned goods to the local food bank or dropping off gently used charitable clothing donations. The New Year is just around the corner, so it is important for U.S. men and women to take care of any last-minute donations, especially if they want to write them off on this year’s taxes. Here are a few dos and don’ts for making charitable donations.

Don’t: Throw Away Gently Used Items

U.S. households throw away 68 pounds of clothing per year — and unnecessarily, too. Gently used or like-new clothing can easily go to families in need. Before tossing old clothes, consider who might need them instead. Keep in mind that there are shortages of some items in particular. Charities always need baby clothes and clothes for toddlers and young children. Similarly, winter-appropriate clothing, like hats, gloves, winter boots, and scarves, are always a welcome contribution.

Don’t: Donate Without Doing Your Research

There are some items that charities for one reason or another (usually legal) just cannot accept. Pull up a charity websites prior to donating or call ahead to find out what is appropriate to donate and what’s not. Most charities cannot accept bowling bowls, carpets or carpeting, exercise equipment, recalled cribs (cribs with drop-down sides), damaged furniture, or cleaning products and supplies. Certain items, such as clothing, baby bags, shoes, sheets, towels, quality furniture, books, dishes, DVDs, lamps, printers, and more, are always necessary.

Food Don’ts: Don’t Donate Baked Goods And Foods In Glass Containers

Finally, if you are donating to a food bank or a charity that accepts food items, keep in mind that some foods and beverages are better than others. Most charities cannot accept perishable foods, home baked goods, or foods in glass containers, such as pasta sauce in glass jars. (There are comparable sauces in cans or plastic jars, however.) Rice, beans, macaroni and cheese, pasta, and hearty soups and stews are always great options when donating.

There are some rules of thumb for giving charitable clothing donations, household items, and food items. Help those in need and save yourself some time by donating the very best items whenever possible.

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Clothing donations Clothing donations pick up Donating clothing to charity

How to Help Military Families and Veterans During the Holidays

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The holidays are a perfect time to show your appreciation and support for military families and veterans. As we celebrate with our families and loved ones this holiday season, it’s important to remember that many military families will also be celebrating without some of their loved ones, who are either deployed or have died in combat. Many veterans who are living residential homes or are in hospitals will be celebrating the holidays alone. However, showing military support and giving back to the community is easier than ever.

There are several local, regional, and national organizations that help military families year round. Like many Americans, you may be eager to make a charitable donations but are unsure of how to go about doing so or what kind of donation is best. Contact a VA or military charity in your area to find out how. During the holiday season, VA and military charities often have drives in which they may request specific veterans donations, such as non-perishable food and clothing donations. There are several organizations and charities that pick up veterans donations directly from your home.

However, veterans donations don’t always have to be a physical, tangible item. Donating your time by volunteering is an excellent way to contribute. You can volunteer at a charity by putting together care packages, serving meals at holiday veterans charity event, or spend time with a recovering veteran in a hospital or treatment facility. Or simply say thank you to veteran by buying him or her a cup of coffee or a meal.

Kindness and happiness are contagious, especially during the holiday season. No form of donating or volunteering is better than the other; all efforts make a difference and are appreciated.

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Top Three Ways To Support Our Troops Without Extravagant Spending

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Schools and parents are encouraging young children to take a few minutes to write letters, birthday cards, Valentine’s, and Christmas cards to active military members and vets. “Thank you for fighting for our country. I love the color camo. I am nine. Why did you want to go to the military? Thank you for dieing [sic] for our country,” one letter begins. “I love American flags. Do you ever stop working? I love that every hour of every day you fight for our lives. I respect my veterans. How long do you have to sleep? You are very heroic and brave.”

Children’s letters to veterans are popular for several reasons — not least among them being that they are thoughtful, inexpensive, and relatively convenient. Contrary to popular belief, taking an active role in charities — especially ones supporting our troops — can be cheap, free, and/or take next to no time at all. Here are some ideas for giving back without giving up too much time or money:

Take Up Creative Couponing

Sometimes one of the most difficult things to do is ask for help. Many military husbands and wives take pride in being more or less self-sufficient. For that reason, they are often unwilling to ask for a hand. Asking for help and having someone explicitly offer to chip in, however, can be very different. One military mom suggests drawing up creative coupons good for “one night of babysitting,” “two hours mowing the lawn,” or “three hours help with errands.” Gift the coupons on special occasions, such as birthdays and holidays.

Get Your Local Community Involved

Avoid feeling the brunt of charitable efforts by asking your friends, family, and neighbors to get involved. Plenty of events, including pot lucks, charitable pancake breakfasts or barbecues, and events gathering food and clothing donations, are much more manageable with a crew.

Show Your Support Without Leaving Home

Americans short on time can also donate clothes from the comforts of home. Many organizations that collect donations for military families will come right to your home or pick up donations at a communal — and often more convenient — drop-off spot.

Supporting out troops and contributing to donations for military families does not have to be costly. Gift homemade coupons, organize a neighborhood effort, or donate items quickly by going through charities that will pick up clothing and food items at home.