7 Ways to Give Back This Christmas

When Christmas is just around the corner, it’s hard not to get “wrapped” up in all the Christmas hype and stress about your own holiday plans. But don’t forget this holiday season is also about spreading joy and giving back to others in need. So in true Christmas spirit, here are a few ways to help make those less fortunate have a very merry Christmas this year…

Give Shoes for Needy Feet
Arizona Foothills is helping out this holiday season in the shoe department with the annual Forget Stockings Shoe Drive! Drop off clean, unworn children’s shoes at retail locations across the Valley to help warm up and protect needy feet. The shoes, which can be dropped off anytime from now until Dec. 18, will be given to Crisis Nursery and the West Valley Child Crisis Center. For drop off locations or for more information click here.

Donate a Toy
When you shop for little Tommy’s Christmas gifts, don’t forget to pick up one for a child who may not be visited by Santa this year. U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program collects new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December each year, and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to needy children in our community. Visit www.toysfortots.org for drop off locations and more information.

Adopt an Angel with JCPenney
Make a difference this Christmas with just a few simple clicks of your mouse. The Salvation Army Angel Giving Tree online program presented by JCPenney is hosting a national, online program that allows people from across the country to provide children and seniors in need with holiday gifts. Adopt an angel by visiting jcp.com/angel, where you will choose your local Angel and instructions on how you shall make his or her Christmas a very special one.

Subscribe to Arizona Foothills Magazine
Gift idea alert! Subscribe a loved one to the Valley’s favorite lifestyle magazine, Arizona Foothills, from now until the end of the month and 50% of your subscription dollars will go to Banner Health Foundation towards Cardon Children’s Medical Center. For more information on Arizona Foothills’ Mag-A-Difference for the Banner Health Foundation promotion or to subscribe click here.

See a Massive Holiday Lights Display
No need to drive around the city looking for great holiday lights to wow the kids. Come enjoy the 2009 U.S. Bank of Arizona Celebration of Lights for St. Mary’s Food Bank running from now until January 3 at the Church of Joy Campus (northwest corner of 75th Avenue and the 101 Freeway). The nearly mile-long light show features more than seven million lights and 300 animated and still light displays set to holiday tunes. General admission for the show is $15 per vehicle (or $1 per person on buses with more than 15 people), with a portion of the proceeds benefiting St. Mary’s Food Bank. Participants can save $2 by donating three non-perishable food items or an unwrapped toy for the holidays. For more information and for discounted tickets available for advance purchase, visit www.ArizonaCelebrationOfLights.com.

Buy Gifts from Starbucks
Warm up with a hot cup of coffee or cocoa at your local Starbucks, and also purchase a Starbucks product! For every item you buy, $1 will be given to the Global Fund, which will help provide treatment for children and adults living with HIV and help fight AIDS in Africa.

Shop TOMS shoes
Can’t decide what to get your relative or siblings? Look into TOMS shoes because for every pair you buy, a needy child receives a pair. Visit www.tomsshoes.com to shop or for more information.