Written by Jaden Parker

During the holidays, peacefulness spreads throughout the world, making people feel more inclined to help those less fortunate than themselves. So, we’ve decided to highlight some of the special charities you can help during this holiday season.

Prison Fellowship

Prison Fellowship helps connect incarcerated individuals with their families on Christmas through their program called Angel Tree Christmas. Overall, Prison Fellowship connects those in prison with Christianity as a way to promote renewal over crime. “Established on the biblical belief that all people are made in God’s image with inherent dignity and potential,” their website reads, “Prison Fellowship takes a restorative approach to those affected by crime and incarceration.” You can get involved with the non-profit as a whole by going to this link. Angel Tree Christmas delivers a Christmas gift, personal message, and easy-to-read copy of the Bible to children of men and women spending the holidays behind bars. You can donate to this program here. 

Christmas SPIRIT Foundation

The biggest program under the Christmas SPIRIT Foundation is Trees for Troops. The CSF delivers Christmas trees to members of all branches of the U.S. armed forces and their families. Since FedEx’s involvement in 2005, CSF has expanded their organization by connecting troops with American tree farms to elevate their festivities during Christmas. In 2017, the nonprofit was awarded the Spirit of Hope Award by the Department of Defense. You can find information about how to support this nonprofit here. 

One Simple Wish

“When wishes come true, kids not only have a chance to just be kids, but they can also make important connections, experience new things and find their passion!” One Simple Wish is a beautiful nonprofit through an “innovative wish-granting platform.” Foster children make their wish, it’s posted on the website, and someone else fulfills that wish. Wishes can be viewed at this link and range from Game Stop gift cards and some candy or a jersey of a kid’s favorite team and a hoodie to keep warm in. You can also donate to the cause in general here. 

Pay Away the Layaway

Thousands of families in the United States can’t afford to pay for items they need over the holidays. Whether it be toys for their children or food for Christmas day, many families have to pay for their items over time by adding to layaway balances. This nonprofit allows people to help those in need pay off their remaining balances. You can find links to personally donate, start a Facebook fundraiser, and/or start a workplace campaign here. 

Project Linus

Based off of the lovable Peanuts character with his blue blanket, Project Linus provides comfort to children who are in need by gifting them handmade blankets and afghans. The blankets made by what they call “blanketeers” are a continuation of Karen Loucks delivering handmade security blankets to the Rocky Mountain Children’s Cancer Center in Denver after reading an article about a young child diagnosed with leukemia who’d been comforted by a special “blankie.” Each state of the U.S. has its own chapter that is accepting blanket donations, but monetary donations are also accepted.

Foster Love

Formerly known as Together We Rise, Foster Love is a nonprofit organization that does its best to improve the lives of children in foster care. With their mascots The Blue Bear, The Penguin, and The Alpaca, Foster Love supports children through various programs like Birthday Boxes, STEM Boxes, and Sweet Case Duffle Bags. During the holidays, they’ve also been known to give presents and personal stockings to children spending Christmas in foster homes. You can sponsor the cause of your choice here

Caitlin’s Smiles

Last but not least is Caitlin’s Smiles. Caitlin’s Smiles is the nonprofit a mother named after her young daughter who passed away at the age of seven from a malignant brain tumor. Her mother’s mission is to provide all children with chronic and life-threatening illnesses crafts, art supplies, and gift bags in honor of her smiling daughter. “When she was an outpatient, she’d pass out smiley-face cookies and whatever crafts she had that day to the other kids, doctors, and nurses,” Caitlyn’s mom says. Caitlin’s Smiles has many services they provide like Coping Kits for children in the emergency room, Bags of Smiles with Play-Doh and other fun things to do, and Toy Deliveries. You can find access to links for donating supplies or money here.