Free and Inexpensive Ways to Give & #Giveback - My List #TisTheSeason

Free and inexpensive ways to give during the holiday season.

We all have bills, and responsibilities. All of us have to watch our pennies, and budget to make ends meet, but if you're like me you still want to find a way to give back, especially around the holidays. 

I've put together a list of ideas that are either free, or cost very little to give. 

While it may cost so little, it means so much. Not only will you be helping those in need, spreading love and good will, but you'll also be an example to those around you. 

Who knows who might be inspired; your kids, siblings, co-workers, neighbours, even strangers.

Your local agencies, charities, and shelters are easily located by doing a Google search. 

EG: shelters, donations, Toronto.

For my list 

Keep Reading...

This was originally posted to Cathy Thinking Out Loud on Nov. 21st, 2013, but it still holds true and thought it was worth reposting. 

Happy Holidays! 

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about giving back. 

Small #RandomActsofKindness add up to BIG #YouCaring: Jason's pancreatic-kidney #transplant

Yesterday, February 17th was Random Acts of Kindness Day.

I few years back I started chatting with a funny warm and engaging woman named Holly at a Team Buy twitter party. I can't remember what holiday theme it was about. In my mind I think Valentine's Day or Mother's Day. After the chat we followed each other on twitter. As it turned out she had recently started a blog Frugal Canadian Coupon Mom, and I shared and followed along on her posts there as well. 

Shortly after that I noticed an entertaining and engaging gentleman started to appear in conversations and at twitter parties. Turns out it was Holly's husband Jason. Individually they are great and as a couple they are outstanding. Jason writes for Holly's blog and as a blogaholic at PTPA.

I knew Jason had some health challenges including diabetes, but I was so sadden when I heard he would be starting dialysis twice a week because of chronic kidney disease. I knew this had to be tough and would put emotional and financial stress on the family, but in general I think both Holly and Jason have tried to stay positive and just deal with it one day at a time. 

Not surprisingly it was pretty exciting news when Jason started the screening process for a transplant. Unfortunately the transplant and appointments are not in the town where they live. The cost of travel to and from dialysis and the transplant appointments are adding up faster than Jason and Holly can pay them, and there will be additional costs for travel to Montreal for the actual transplants. Seems to me, at a time like this, stressing out about how to pay for the gas and expenses during the transplant period should be the last thing they should have to worry about. 

Jason has started a YouCaring page where you can donate to help him with these costs and expenses. Remember no donation is too small and all the small random acts of kindness can add up to a BIG difference. Please donate if you can, and then spread the word so other can too! 

Link: Jason's YouCaring  

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about my friend Jason and Random Acts of Kindness. 

Not So #RandomActsofKindness & Giving That Lasts All Year #GivingBack

Extending the Season:

Giving Back All Year Long

In November I wrote a post about easy inexpensive or free ways to give, or pay it forward during the Holiday season. For most of us the holidays are a time of giving, or "Tis the Season" and we are looking for ways to give, and give back. 

Lately I've been thinking a lot about why the season isn't all year round. 

I'm wondering what small not so random acts of kindness can be done on a regular basis throughout the year. It's been my experience that the giver, gets as much if not more in return than the receiver, and wouldn't it be nice to feel the joy of giving all year long. I'm not talking about huge life altering actions, but rather a plan to include and schedule small acts of charity and kindness into our busy everyday lives. Like everything else (eg. exercise, projects, appointments) it is much more likely we will actually do an activity, follow up, and follow through if it is scheduled into our plans, and not left to chance. 

Why not schedule in a few of these ideas into your life, and make the "Season" of giving last all year long. 

• Donate gently used clothing to a local shelter or mission so it can be distributed to the homeless and those in need. In the colder months jackets, hats, gloves, socks, boots, blankets, sleeping bags,  knapsacks, and dufflebags are so appreciated. 

• Donate gently used clothes, toys and books to a women's shelter. The coffee and the tea from the hotel room and hotel toiletries are also perfect for someone that is in temporary accommodations.

• Baby clothes and items can be donated to teen mother organizations and homes. They are always very much appreciated. Remember certain items like car seats have expiry dates and are generally not accepted.

• Donate gently used work clothes to an organization like Dress For Success.  http://www.dressforsuccess.org/

• Donate gently used children's snowsuits, hats, mitts, and boots to a Snowsuit Fund or Snowsuit collection in your area. Canadian winters are cold, and no child should go without a warm jacket.

• Donate gently used sports equipment to organizations that help to ensure all kids have access to participating in sports. The Star: Where you can donate used sporting equipment

• Donate prescription glasses you no longer use to  https://www.lenscrafters.ca/onesight or  http://www.clerc.ca/?page_id=77

• Collect the small bottles of shampoo, soap and toiletries from hotel stays, and/or the toothbrushes, toothpaste and floss you get from your dentist. Donate them to a shelter or to a food bank. Sort the items into into small ziplock bags for easy distribution.

• Children's book your kids no longer use can be donated to a school library. School libraries get very little by way of budgets to buy new or to replace books. Your donations can go a long way. Same goes for magazine subscriptions; Chirp, Chickadee, Skateboarding and Snowboarding Magazines, Popular Science and Mechanic and Canadian Geographic are all popular with students even if they are a year or two old. 

• Adult novels can be donated to nursing homes or shelters. Or if you know someone who can't get out, drop a box of books to them. Reading helps to combat loneliness, as does the act of kindness.

• If you are donating canned foods to a food drive or food bank, make a list, watch for sales and, use coupons to increase your donation. You can often double the donation by smart purchasing, and who doesn't love a deal! 

• Donate blood. It costs nothing but is always in need.  http://www.blood.ca/centreapps/internet/uw_v502_mainengine.nsf/page/Home

• Give the gift of time. Volunteer in your neighbourhood, a local school, church, seniors home, or charity.  http://volunteer.ca/

• Sign up to drive someone to their cancer treatment. Isn't fighting the disease enough, without worrying about how to get to your treatments, or taking the bus.  http://www.cancer.ca/en/get-involved/volunteering/ways-to-volunteer/drive-people-ab/?region=ab

• Offer to put up or take down Christmas lights up for a senior, or if they no longer drive offer to take them grocery shopping, or to an appointment.

• Bake some cookies or treats and deliver them to someone who has mobility issues and doesn't get out.

• Shovel the snow for someone! Especially a senior, or a Mom with small kids or baby that can't easily get out.

• In the Spring, offer to take someone to buy some flowers for their garden, and help them plant them. For someone with mobility problems, making their home special is special!

• Mentor someone: share your skills, talents, and expertise. Help with a resume. Practice interview skills. Tutor a student. Teach a senior to use the Internet, Email, or Skype. Being connected can make all the difference in ones life.

• Babysit or Seniorsit and give a tired, overworked caregiver a break. A couple of hours can be so important to managing stress and coping.

There you go! A bunch of ideas for giving that cost so little but mean so much. 
If you have ideas that might be added to the list, or experiences of your small "not so" random acts of kindness, please share them with me in the comment season. I would love to hear about it!

Yep, just Cathy thinking out loud about not so random acts of kindness.

Giving that Costs so Little and Means So Much #GivingBack #TisTheSeason

Free and inexpensive ways to give during the holiday season.

We all have bills, and responsibilities. All of us have to watch our pennies, and budget to make ends meet, but if you're like me you still want to find a way to give back, especially around the holidays. 

I've put together a list of ideas that are either free, or cost very little to give. 

While it may cost so little, it means so much. Not only will you be helping those in need, spreading love and good will, but you'll also be an example to those around you. Who knows who might be inspired; your kids, siblings, co-workers, neighbours, even strangers.

Your local agencies, charities, and shelters are easily located by doing a Google search. 

EG: shelters, donations, Toronto.

• This year I've decided to go digital with my Holiday Cards and donate the money I would have spent on cards and postage. 

• Donate gently used clothing to a local shelter or mission so it can be distributed to the homeless and those in need. In particular jackets, hats, gloves, socks, boots, blankets, sleeping bags,  knapsacks, and dufflebags. 

• Recently I've seen several posts about filling purses you no longer use with items like mini-shampoos, soap, kleenex, wipes, a toothbrush, toothpaste, feminine products, etc. and dropping them to homeless shelters.

• Donate gently used clothes, toys and books to a women's shelter. The coffee and the tea from the hotel room and hotel toiletries are also perfect for someone that is in temporary accommodations. I know this because I called a local women's shelter and asked, but each shelter may be different. Take a minute to call and ask what items a shelter near you needs. 

• Baby clothes and items can be donated to teen mother organizations and homes. They are always very much appreciated. Remember certain items like car seats have expiry dates and are generally not accepted.

• Donate gently used work clothes to an organization like Dress For Success.

•  Donate gently used children's snowsuits, hats, mitts, and boots to a Snowsuit Fund or Snowsuit collection in your area. Canadian winters are cold, and no child should go without a warm jacket.

• Donate prescription glasses you no longer use to  LensCrafters OneSight or  Canadian Lions Eyeglass Recycling Program

• Collect the small bottles of shampoo, soap and toiletries from hotel stays, and/or the toothbrushes, toothpaste and floss you get from your dentist. Donate them to a shelter or to a food bank. Sort the items into into small ziplock bags for easy distribution.

• Children's books your kids no longer use can be donated to a school library. School libraries get very little by way of budgets to buy new or to replace books. Your donations can go a long way. Same goes for magazine subscriptions; Chirp, Chickadee, Skateboarding and Snowboarding Magazines, Popular Science and Mechanic and Canadian Geographic are all popular with students even if they are a year or two old. 

• Adult novels can be donated to nursing homes or shelters or your local library.

• If you are donating canned foods to a food drive or food bank make a list watch for sales and use coupons to increase your donation. You can often double the donation by smart purchasing, and who doesn't love a deal! 

• There are lots of ways to donate your old electronics to be refurbished for others, and organiziations like ReBoot, Charity WishList and ERA - Eletronic Recycling Association can help connect your electronic donations with organizations and people who need them. Another option is donating electronics to help organizations fund raise or get money for collecting and recycling certain items.

• Donate blood. It costs nothing but is always in need.  Canadian Blood Services

• Give the gift of time. Volunteer in your neighbourhood, a local school, church, seniors home, or charity.  Volunteer Canada

• Sign up to drive someone to their cancer treatment. Isn't fighting the disease enough, without worrying about how to get to your treatments, or taking the bus.  Canadian Cancer Society - Ways to Volunteer

• Offer to put Christmas lights up for a senior, or if they no longer drive offer to take them grocery shopping, or to an appointment.

• Bake some cookies or holiday treats and deliver them to someone who has mobility issues and doesn't get out.

• Shovel the snow for someone! Especially a senior or a Mom with small kids or baby and can't easily get out.

• Mentor someone: share your skills, talents, and expertise. Help with a resume. Practise interview skills. Tutor a student. 

• Babysit or Seniorsit and give a tired, overworked caregiver a break. A couple of hours can be so important to managing stress and coping.

There you go! A bunch of ideas for giving that doesn't have to cost a lot of money. 

Tis the season! 

Wishing everyone a joy filled holiday season!

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about giving back.

Teachable Moment #1: Survival Gifts change the world via Unicef Canada