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Never do we turn our hearts and minds towards giving to others than during the holiday season. During the holidays many charities and organizations see a rise in donations more than any other time of the year. This is not to say help and donations are needed year round, but especially during the holiday season when organizations are hard pressed to support the multitude of requests for assistance for food, shelter and gifts for unfortunate persons.

Naturally the easiest ways to donate to charities are a given, money to the charity of your choice, donating a gift for local organizations that have toy drives, giving of canned foods to the local food pantry. But how can donating to those in need become a more fulfilling way of spending the holidays?

Here are some excellent ideas for spreading the spirit of giving during the holiday season. Organize a canned food, gift drive, bake sale or clothing drive at work, church, school or other community driven place. Contact local businesses to arrange a dry goods and sundries drive, many businesses are especially giving during the holiday season and they benefit from the tax break offered by supporting local charities. Contact local crafters and organize a homemade gift drive to help local charities offering gifts for unfortunate persons during the holiday season. A wrapping paper drive for a local organization offering gifts to the less fortunate is a much needed service during this time of the year and helps the organization to spend more money on other needed resources. Items such as wrapping paper, gift cards, labels and bows can run into hundreds of dollars for places helping large numbers of people. There are many functions that can be beneficial to local charities and help to publicize the goals of these charities. Contact local charitable organizations to find out what kinds of drives would best suit their goals.

The gift of time is often the most appreciated donation needy persons can receive. Volunteer to help in a local soup kitchen, homeless shelter or food donation center. A few hours a week is well worth the overwhelming thanks volunteers receive for their efforts. For persons handy in crafting, arrange to give community classes in ornament making, knitting, crochet or other craft. This is especially a good idea for places like elderly and disabled persons facilities, low income day cares or head start programs, and domestic violence shelters or family crisis centers where people have a real need for the

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