You’ve shopped till you dropped and tracked down the ideal item for each loved one on your list. Now, you’re wondering how best to give back to others in need, those you may not know. Whether it’s time, talent or money that you have to spare, these 15 altruistic organizations can continue to help others, with your help.
GIVE of Money
1. Make-a-Wish Foundation The Make-a-Wish Foundation began in 1980 with the wish of Chris Greicius, an Arizona boy with leukemia, to become the state’s first and only honorary Arizona highway patrolman. Since then, with the support of public donations, critically ill Arizona children have had wishes granted as diverse as swimming with dolphins and spending a day as a pickle factory worker. 800.324.9474, www.wishaz.org.
2. 100 Club of Arizona Donate to this organization to help make tough times easier for families of area police officers and firefighters who are injured or killed in the line of duty. The 100 Club also helps local agencies purchase updated safety equipment. 602.485.0100, www.100club.org.
3. Drive the Dream Gala On Jan. 10, travel back to the Golden Age of Hollywood at Childhelp and Barrett-Jackson’s 5th Annual Drive the Dream Gala at WestWorld. Events celebrating Childhelp’s 50th anniversary include a cocktail reception, a dinner and a live auction, all to support the prevention and treatment of child abuse. Individual tickets are $1,000, and tables are $10,000 to $50,000. 480.922.8212, www.childhelp.org.
4. Operation Noah Started by a Chandler teen, this nonprofit’s goal is that no child will have to undergo a hospital visit without a stuffed animal by his or her side. 480.899.0022, www.operationnoah.info.
5. Welcome to America Project This Scottsdale-based group furnishes the bare apartments of refugees from war-torn countries who've been located in Phoenix by refugee agencies with UN approval. Members of the project deliver furniture, linens and cooking supplies, signifying welcome and hope. A $200 donation furnishes an entire apartment for a family of four. 602.820.3224, www.wtap.org.
GIVE of Time
1. Arizona State Braille and Talking Book Library Give the gift of a classic novel or the latest bestseller to those who cannot use traditional books. Commit to visit this library in Phoenix for two hours a week to read aloud and record books and magazines for Arizona’s 65,000 visually and physically disabled. 602.255.5578, www.lib.az.us.
2. Maricopa County Animal Care and Control Considering a family pet, but concerned about the commitment? Instead, consider the Maricopa County foster care program, through which you temporarily take in puppies and kittens that are too young or ill to be adopted. 602.506.6279, www.maricopa.gov/pets.
3. Soldiers’ Angels Make the holidays brighter for soldiers serving overseas by taking the time to make cards for them. Or adopt a soldier to support all year long. 615.676.0239, www.soldiersangels.com.
4. Read to Me This program at UMOM New Day Center in Central Phoenix introduces homeless children to reading for fun. Share your childhood favorites one-on-one with the children ages 4 to 17 who attend each week. 602.275.7852, www.umom.org.
5. Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale With locations in nearly every Valley city, the Boys & Girls Clubs are very versatile when it comes to utilizing volunteers. The Scottsdale location seeks volunteers to spend time with its 15,000 local children by coaching sports teams, helping non-English speakers or simply sharing whatever interests you may have. 480.860.5520, www.bgcs.org.
GIVE of Talent
1. Girls on the Run of Maricopa County: Fulfill your New Year’s resolution to get in shape, and boost the self-esteem of young girls as a running coach. Coaches lead 15 girls in practice twice a week at a local elementary school. Apply now for the February to May season. Want to help but don’t have the time? Mark your calendar to be a running buddy for a girl at May’s Girls on the Run 5K race. 602.795.6572, www.gotrmc.org.
2. Fresh Start Help a local woman find a job by volunteering for the Fresh Start career center in Downtown Phoenix. Share your expertise in resume writing and interview techniques with Fresh Start’s 2,500 monthly visitors. 602.261.7148, www.wehelpwomen.com.
3. Save the Family For 20 years, this Mesa-based agency serving the Valley has been dedicated to helping homeless families transition to self-sufficiency. There are many ways to volunteer, for instance, teaching struggling women how to do their hair and makeup, or throwing a baby shower for an expectant mother. 480.898.0228, www.savethefamily.org.
4. Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art Want to nurture your artsy side? Become a volunteer docent at SMoCA. After thorough training, docents at SMoCA conduct tours of art exhibitions and the sculpture gardens. 480.874.4641, www.smoca.org.
5. Junior Achievement BizTown In this mock city, fourth-, fifth- and sixth-graders learn about economic responsibility by running a bank, a restaurant or a store. Sign up as an on-call “business consultant” for schools that need extra help during their day at BizTown. 480.377.8500, www.jaaz.org.
