After giving thanks for all that we are grateful for yesterday, it’s time to pay it forward throughout the remainder of the holiday season by giving back to our local community. Whether you volunteer goods, your time or money, there are ample opportunities to make someone’s holiday a little brighter. We pride ourselves on being a part of a community that does so much for others and that bands together to help our own. There is a long list of charitable organizations and local businesses getting involved this holiday season, but here are a few to get you started. Happy Holidays to all!
This holiday season, the Art League of Ocean City is seeking volunteers to help make ceramic bowls for their Empty Bowl Project. The initiative will benefit both the Art League and Diakonia’s food pantry. Anyone in the community is invited to come to the Ocean City Center for the Arts’ studio on 94th Street to make a bowl. Available dates are as follows: December 3 and 17 and January 7 and 11 from 1 to 3pm each day. The bowls will be used during the Art League’s Starving Artist Dinner. Guests can purchase a bowl for $20 and fill it with soup donated by local residents. Diakonia provides food, shelter and services to area families and individuals in need. What better way to give back than through a fun and creative art project.
Diakonia – Help for Today & Hope for Tomorrow Event
For more than thirty years, Diakonia has been helping individuals and families on the Lower Shore by providing food, shelter, clothing and the resources to rebuild their lives. Dedicated to building a foundation for those in crisis by providing hope and assistance, Diakonia plays an invaluable roll in our community. While Diakonia always accepts donations, why not join them this Thursday, December 5th at Seacrets to learn how locals are helping locals in need and how you can help as well. Light appetizers and soft drinks will be provided. Admission is free; however please consider bringing canned food for Diakonia’s food pantry. A donation can will also be available for contributions throughout the event.
United Christmas Spirit Campaign
The United Spirit Christmas Campaign is currently in its third year. The program, spearheaded by the Young Professionals Committee of Ocean City, provides 50 local kids with breakfast at Outback Steakhouse and shopping with a chaperone at Wal-Mart on December 7. The Young Professionals, a dynamic and diverse group of emerging young professionals ages 21-39, provides the unique experience for local children each year by raising funds and setting an annual goal of $5,000. The cost includes $100 for each child to shop with. Recently, local 3-year old Brantley McKenna accepted donations over birthday gifts, choosing to donate the money to the Christmas Campaign. While the Young Professionals are well on their way to reaching their goal, donations and further help is always appreciated.
Helping Hands for the Holidays – Worcester County G.O.L.D
Worcester County G.O.L.D (Giving Other Lives Dignity) Inc., invites you to help in their annual Helping Hands for the Holidays Project. Each year, Worcester Country G.O.L.D works to bring hope and joy to the hundreds of individuals in need. Last year, more than 1,200 needy Worcester County residents (mostly children) had a merrier holiday thanks to the efforts of the Helping Hands project. Make your own contribution today, through either a monetary donation or with a Food Lion or Wal-Mart gift card.
One of the more well-known charitable holiday programs, the Toys for Tots program collects new, unwrapped toys throughout the holiday season each year and distributes those toys as Christmas gifts to the needy children in the community. Our local chapter, the Sgt. Cohee Detachment Marine Corps League, has been collecting toys for children in our area for over 30 years. Last year, our local Toys for Toys program distributed over 12,168 toys to 7,734 children on the lower Eastern Shore. Do your part by donating a toy, or better yet, encourage your place of business to band together and collect toys together. Monetary donations are also accepted, and will be used to purchase toys.
Humane Society
Let’s not forget our furry, four-legged friends during the holiday season! Our local shelters provide a safe haven for thousands of dogs and cats all year long. If you can’t make the commitment to adopting a shelter dog or cat, we suggest doing your part by donating blankets, food, litter or money to help our local shelters to help our local pets in need. Or join the Worcester County Humane Society Saturday, December 14 at Fager’s Island from 4-8pm for their 2nd Annual Deck Party for a Cause. Enjoy a silent auction, Chinese auction, raffle and music by DJ Groove. Entry is $20 at the door along with a wish list donation (see the WCHS Facebook page).
Salvation Army
For us it’s simply not Christmas without the familiar sound of Salvation Army bells ringing outside area businesses. We drop money in the Salvation Army bucket as often as possible. The Salisbury Salvation Army has been serving our area since 1913, thanks to the hard work and contributions of our local community. Annually, the Salisbury Salvation Army provides thousands of families with support during the holidays through the Christmas Assistance Program. Holiday food baskets, hot meals, clothing and gifts are just a few of the ways that the Salvation Army improves Christmas for so many. In addition, over 1500 children receive toys from under the Salvation Army Christmas tree.
American Cancer Society’s Holiday Wrappings Fashion Show
The American Cancer Society invites you join them in celebrating 25 years of saving lives and creating a world with more birthdays. Join us and the American Cancer Society at the Convention Center in Ocean City on December 10, from 10:30am to 2pm. Tickets are available both online and at the box office until December 3rd. A warm plated lunch will be served at noon, followed by a fashion show by local retailers until 1pm.
WBOC Bless Our Children Campaign
Every year, WBOC works to make the holiday season brighter for Delmarva’s less fortunate children with the Bless Our Children Campaign. For more than a decade, WBOC has joined forces with local businesses and residents to raise money to buy Christmas presents for needy children in our area. In 2012, the Bless Our Children Campaign brought in $203,000 in donations. Make a donation today and help a needy child in your area have a happy and blessed Christmas this year.
