How to Help a Needy Child This Holiday Season

You can help a child in need by donating your time and attention to help make this holiday season extra special.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Book Bags
• Coats
• Children's Books
• Christmas Stockings
• Movie Tickets
• Toys

1. Find a youngster who needs your help through your church, synagogue, local civic organizations or clubs.

2. Find out what the child needs most and try to provide it.

3. Donate toys, books and games to a shelter or youth-oriented group for a child who might not otherwise have any gifts this Christmas.

4. Contact organizations like Big Brothers/Big Sisters and offer to serve as a mentor.

5. Buy a book of tickets to the movies as a special treat that will last beyond the holidays.

6. Plan an outing for a child who rarely goes out. Take him or her to somewhere fun, like "The Nutcracker," the zoo, the circus or a play.

7. Read to a child. Sharing a book can be deeply meaningful to you both.

8. Buy warm clothing, boots or a coat for the child.

9. Provide new school supplies, such as a book bag, sneakers or a lunch box.

10. Provide Christmas decorations for a child's home, such as stockings, a wreath or a small tree.

11. Bake holiday cookies with a child and let him or her take them home to share with the family.

12. Think of things you can do that will improve the quality of life for the child's family, such as buying food for the holidays, or giving train tickets so they can visit relatives.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember to give only new items for a child to open as Christmas gifts, but donate used toys to a shelter for kids to play with.
• If you spend time with a child and enjoy it, consider doing this more often.
• Remember that foster children and children of single parents may especially need help this holiday season.

[helpfromage10]

on 8/12/2009 i want to help people, and once i get enough money, i will try, my parents might not want me to, but im crossing my fingers! I am 14, and i love to help

[betterbody]

on 11/19/2008 I really appreciate your advise 'consider doing this more often'-The poor will always be with us. Holiday gifting is nice, but they need to eat every day.

[sand6h]

on 11/7/2008 hi my name is sandra and i am raising my four grandkids and i only have income of ssi 637.00 and theiris no money to buy the kids any thing for christmas please help me to make them a happy christmas you can reach me at [e-mail]

[charleneb]

on 11/6/2008 hello im charlene , i have 3 kids i was in car accident last year before x-mas,i still off work and had broken arm fingers and back problems , and will not be able to work. i dont get support and my income is so low that i barely paying the bills, i dont want the kids to go without x-mas this year can anyone help my email is [e-mail]

[blueeyes40337]

on 9/23/2008 i am a grandmother with 2 of my grandchildren i keep them one boy 14 one 11 one 8 i have a daughter who is in a wheelchair has been for 29 years i have never had a home for her to even get in the bathroom i have to rent pay bills we onle draw ssi disibilry we dont have money for any thing will some one please help me this christmas withsome christmas .you can write me at irene johnson po box 357 jeffersonville ky 40337 any thing you can help me. with i will thank you from the bottom of my heart god bless you . jesus loves you . irene johnson