By Christopher Manson
Good news! There are plenty of opportunities to be a Hometown Hero this holiday season by donating, volunteering or simply spreading the good word about our local nonprofits making a huge impact in our community. Here are just a few ways you can make the holidays a lot brighter for those in need:
On Sunday, Nov. 17, join the 45th Annual Toys 4 Tots Ride on the Emerald Coast taking place at Niceville’s Mullet Festival Grounds and benefitting ECCAC and Children in Crisis. Volunteers are needed to host “mini games” and assist with the raffle drawing. Kick off at Emerald Coast Harley-Davidson at 8:30 a.m. Bring $10 per person and a new toy or gift card to donate. End at the Mullet Festival grounds for bike games, a best-decorated bike contest, a car and truck show, a 50/50 drawing, DJ Anthony, delicious food trucks, and over 100 prizes! Jeeps and Corvettes, join the fun too!
A Bed 4 Me provides a full bedding kit at no cost to local children and families in Okaloosa and Walton Counties. You can volunteer to help with bed delivery assistance, fundraising event support or to host bedding drives. To volunteer, email diane@abed4me.org or send a message at abed4me.org. A Bed 4 Me also accepts in-kind donations; a wish list is posted on the website and you can always donate new, standard size sleeping pillows, Amazon and Walmart gift cards.
Freeport Christmas Angels is accepting applicants from families living in the Freeport area. The organization’s annual Christmas store will be open for business at Heritage Church of Freeport Dec. 21 and 22. Families can apply by emailing name, address, email, phone number, and first names and ages of children to FreeportChristmasAngels@gmail.com.
Town Planters help less fortunate families in Freeport with Christmas gifts and food. The organization asks that families apply by mid-November. Learn more at townplanterssociety.com. The Town Planters and Freeport residents ensure that wish list items are gathered and gifted to families along with a memorable holiday dinner. Pick up your “angel” at the Angel Tree on display at Freeport City Hall.
You can help Sharing & Caring of Niceville by volunteering; making a financial donation directly; organizing a food drive at your church, place of business, recreational club or group of friends; or by making a pledge through the United Way or Combined Federal Campaign. Learn more at sharing-n-caring.org.
CALM (Crisis Aid for Littles and Moms) depends on the Niceville community to maintain a safe place for mothers and children in crisis situations. Donations provide shelter, provisions and guidance for women seeking a better way of life for themselves and their kids. Holiday donations (make checks payable to CALM Organization Inc.) can be mailed to CALM Organization Inc., 201 Redwood Avenue, Niceville, FL 32578. nicevillecalm.com.
Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Center’s (eccac.org) Christmas Toy Drive has begun! Bring joy to area kiddos and help ECCAC stock its toy room for its families and agency partners to “shop”! Choose from ECCAC’s wish list (https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2XKKTQUNU5BED?ref_=list_d_wl_lfu_nav_5) or (https://files.constantcontact.com/30ac9a4b301/1cbdb057-f224-46bb-9cfc-3a7b414433a7.pdf?rdr=true). Every contribution makes a difference in ending abuse and restoring childhood one child at a time. Contact Hailey (Hailey@eccac.org) to schedule your drop-off.
Food for Thought (fftfl.org) is gearing up for the holidays and its annual food services. The nonprofit’s Holiday Food List includes instant potatoes, stuffing, cornbread mix, canned vegetables, dry beans, rice, macaroni and cheese, pasta and sauce, cereal, pancake mix, boxed milk and juice. Individuals and local businesses are encouraged to drop off food items for holiday meals at Food for Thought’s Destin or Santa Rosa Beach pantries. Email support@fftfl.org to learn more.
This is just a small sample of the worthy charities in the BAY LIFE readership area. We encourage you to search online for additional opportunities to help others this holiday season! They need you and you’ll be glad you did!
