It’s the season for giving, and there are many ways to give back to the community during the holidays. A couple of weeks ago, we shared some ways to support Southern Maryland food pantries this holiday season.
It’s also the time of year for toy and coat drives – no doubt you’ve seen the collection boxes as you go about your daily errands. Here’s how you can donate to local children and families in need over the next few weeks.
Toy Donations
It’s all about the kids, right? And every child wants to find something special under the tree.
In Charles County, you can support the Children’s Aid Society’s Christmas Connection with toy and monetary donations. Working with the county Department of Social Services, the Children’s Aid Society helps 2,000 local kids get toys and other gifts at Christmas. Volunteers are also needed to help families select gifts for their children. For more information, contact the Children’s Aid Society.
Toys for Tots is a nationwide toy collection program run by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. Local chapters manage toy collection drives, and donations benefit children in that area. In Southern Maryland, each county has its own Toys for Tots initiative, and you can find out more about each at the links below. You’ll find collection boxes at local businesses and offices as well as national chains like Toys R Us, Babies R Us, and AC Moore.
- Calvert County: http://chesapeake-beach-md.toysfortots.org/local-coordinator-sites/lco-sites/default.aspx and https://www.facebook.com/TFTCalvertCounty/
- Charles County: http://waldorf-md.toysfortots.org/local-coordinator-sites/lco-sites/default.aspx
- Mary’s County: http://stmarys-md.toysfortots.org/local-coordinator-sites/lco-sites/default.aspx and https://www.facebook.com/stmaryscountyT4T/
LifeStyles of Maryland’s Samaritan Project also collects toys for children during the holidays. The organization also accepts clothing and food donations. Find out what the organization needs at its website.
Winter Coat Donations
The meteorologists tell us the cold weather is coming, and many local children and adults don’t have warm enough coats to get through the winter. Donating new or clean, gently used coats, mittens, hats, and scarves helps more people stay cozy and safe during a Southern Maryland winter.
SMAR 2016 Coat Drive: The Southern Maryland Association of Realtors’ 2016 Coat Drive is underway until November 30. Donated items will be given to shelters in Southern Maryland. Find a list of drop-off locations here: http://southernmarylandrealtors.org/community/coat-drive/.
One Warm Coat: The organization One Warm Coat distributes gently used and new winter coats to people in need throughout the country. They have drop-off locations around the country, including one in Waldorf.
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