Holiday Volunteer Opportunities...

As mentioned before, I LOVE buying and giving presents. One of my favorite things to do during the holiday season is to get an angel from the Salvation Army's Angel Tree Program. While it's exciting to give Anne-Reaghan and Taylor so many toys, and to receive stuff as well, it's important that we keep in mind what the holidays are really about. So in the spirit of Christmas, here are some great volunteer opportunities in Charlotte this holiday season!

1) Samaritan's Purse: Operation Christmas Child

Through Operation Christmas Child you pack a shoebox full of toys and other items that will be sent overseas to a child in need. The deadline to make a box and drop it off in person ended Nov. 21, but you can still donate $35 dollars online and pick out the items for the shoebox to be sent, along with a picture of you and a personalized message. I know many of us don't have tons of extra money lying around, so another option is to "adopt a box" for $7. This pays to ship boxes overseas that didn't come with a donation for shipping.

To visit the website click here. 

2) Salvation Army

The Salvation Army has quite a few ways to help out during the holidays: Angel Tree Program, Toy Drives, Silver Bells Program, Fill-A-Stocking, and the Kettle program. December 9 is the LAST day to adopt an angel and send presents to your angel. So not a ton of time left but you can adopt an angel online! Also there is a Sock Drive going on through facebook. By clicking the "like" button, Hanes will donate a pair of socks to the Salvation Army for those in need. So there's really no excuse not to do that!

 Also since I haven't really signed up to ring the bell since high school, I now have an online kettle! I don't have a very high goal because I know we don't have tons of extra money but if you would like to donate some money...even $1 it would be much appreciated! Click here. Please keep in mind how nice I have been to all of you this year. 

To visit the website click here. 

3) United Family Services

United Family Services hosts a Jingle Bell Bash which raises money for The Battered Women's Shelter. A ticket for an individual is $65 and for two tickets it's $115. There will be an open bar for an hour, food, music, dancing and an auction! It's Saturday, December 10 at the Wells Fargo Atrium. For more information click here. 

4) A Child's Place

A Child's Place in Charlotte, NC has a program called Holiday Sponsorship. This is a good volunteer opportunity for a group or if you are willing to put down some major dough. Basically you sponsor a family and provide an item of clothing for each member of the family, a grocery store gift card for a holiday dinner, and an item off each family member's wish list. Click here for more information.

Hope this inspires everyone to give this holiday season! Remember there are a lot of people less fortunate than us that rely on our help during the holidays!! Also remember to donate to my kettle- seriously even $1 helps!! 

United Way...

This year I was put in charge of the United Way Campaign for Snider Tire. We kicked it off on Wednesday and I think it was pretty successful. I know that the employees at least enjoyed all of the snacks!! (12 dozen doughnuts later...) Anyway we had some great speakers come from The American Red Cross, The Salvation Army, Communities in Schools, Reading Connections, etc. At the beginning of this campaign I didn't know a whole lot about United Way. Basically United Way is an organization that is located in many different communities and provides support to the community through various charities and non-profits. They focus on improvements in education, income and health. Last year I did a little volunteer work with Communities in Schools in Charlotte, but this campaign just reminded me that I need to really focus on getting involved within the communities and helping others. Anyway I just wanted to encourage everyone to volunteer, every little bit helps. Even though I feel like most of our friends are very into volunteering so just keep up the good work! 

Here is a link to an article that I thought was really inspiring that was shared with us on Wednesday:  

http://www.news-record.com/content/2010/06/03/article/he_took_care_of_business

United Way website: www.liveunited.org 

Breakfast in Bed: Race for the Cure

My cousin Morgan (my mom's twin sister Anne's middle daughter) has a really cute blog called Breakfast in Bed and today she did a post on my mom! She is participating in the Race for the Cure in celebration of my mom and is trying to raise money. Her goal for her team is to raise $125 but I would love to see her exceed her goal! So if you have any extra money, even a dollar, please click on the link in her post to donate!! XOXO

Breakfast in Bed: Race for the Cure: "She’s beautiful, smart, motivated, talented, loving, and always smells really really good. When you walk in the room, her face lights up an..."