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Give something special this holiday season.
Give a few dollars, a fat check, a box of diapers, a sack of canned goods or a Saturday of your volunteer labor to help strengthen one of the area nonprofit groups spotlighted in The Times Leader’s “Giving Guide,” which debuts today. (The first article in the series, on Cori’s Place in Luzerne, appears on this page).
All 12 featured organizations – a food bank, a free medical clinic, an after-school program and so on – help to strengthen Northeastern Pennsylvania year-round by aiding some of its most vulnerable residents: the poor, the young, the disabled, the down-and-out.
Each group depends on generous donors and volunteers to fulfill its mission.
Readers are asked to pick a favorite charity from among the mix presented on these pages between now and Dec. 8, or find a similar one in your neighborhood, and make a direct contribution of money, material goods or time.
Together, you and caring people across the newspaper’s Northeastern Pennsylvania circulation area can ease a bit of the extra burden placed on local nonprofits – and the area residents they serve – during these hard times.
“For many years Times Leader readers have exceeded our expectations with their generosity for the needy families featured in the annual Book of Dreams,” said Managing Editor Joe Butkiewicz. “In its place this year is the Giving Guide, which we think is even better. We will publish stories about local agencies and the people they serve year-round. We hope our readers will recognize the need of the Giving Guide organizations and be as thoughtful and generous as they have been in the past.”
In essence, this project echoes the Depression-era plea: “Buddy, can you spare a dime?” If tight on cash, however, you can still make an important contribution by scouting through your house for items on the groups’ wish lists. For instance, the Meals on Wheels program based in Pittston would appreciate donations of canned ravioli and soups – the kind of hearty foods that could be left with clients when bad weather is forecast, possibly interrupting the delivery of hot meals for a day or two.
Likewise, the Tunkhannock-based Interfaith Friends program seeks a supply of personal-care items for senior citizens (shampoo, toothpaste, mouthwash, etc.) as well as winter coats and outerwear for people of all ages and children’s long underwear.
Even if you lack the requested items, don’t despair. You can find a way to participate.
Much like the fabled little drummer boy of Christmas carol fame, simply stop to consider what talents and tools you possess. Do you work at an office supply store? If so, consider launching a collection drive among co-workers and customers, then steering the paper products to a nonprofit agency to defer its administrative costs. Are you a house painter? Plenty of charities that run out of church basements and similar spaces would welcome a fresh coat.
No matter your skills, no matter the size of your bank account, you have something important to give.
Let the “Giving Guide” help you find it.