by Cody Tyler

Created on: November 09, 2008   Last Updated: November 13, 2008

Every year at Christmas when I ask my Dad "What do you want for Christmas?" he gives the same answer "I don't need anything." I hate that answer because it means that I have to buy something that he may not like. Or maybe not. My Dad does have everything he needs so last year I decided to donate to a charity in his name.

Deciding what charity to donate money to in my Dad's name was easy. He has collected a menagerie of elephants all of his life. So after doing a little research I decided to adopt an elephant from "Defenders of Wildlife" in his name. The money goes towards protecting an animal he loves, he gets a certificate with his name on it as well as a little stuffed elephant and I get the satisfaction that I still had a gift to give to him.

With Thanksgiving and Christmas coming up there are many families in need. For Thanksgiving there are several groups that prepare Thanksgiving dinners for the poor and homeless. These groups are always in need of volunteers to help prepare and serve the meals. You'll feel good inside and the people you've helped feed will feel like they are not forgotten on such a special day.

Christmas is also a great time to give.We take it for granted that on Christmas day we will be able to give our children or loved ones presents wrapped in pretty paper with a big bow on top. This is not always the reality for the poor. They may need the money to put food on their tables, not to buy toys. There are organizations out there that make sure that every child has a present to open on Christmas morning. Toys-4-Tots is one great program that collects new toys to give to needy families. If you can't afford to buy a toy then you can volunteer to help wrap the thousands of toys that are donated every year.

Something important to keep in mind is that many charities, such as food banks, need donations year round not just during holidays.

To find your favorite charity is as easy as sitting down at your computer and doing a search. Every charity has a list of what you can do to help. Some even have it set up so you can make a donation on-line. Whether you volunteer or donate money to a charity you will find that you benefit just as much as those you've helped. Giving, even if it's just a little, is one of the greatest things we can do while on this earth.

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