(201) Family November/December 2017 | Page 17

LIST
’tis the season for giving
4 HELPFUL WAYS TO SPREAD HOLIDAY CHEER
WRITTEN BY DEIRDRE FLANAGAN WARD
The holidays are
all about giving.
However, all
gifts don’t have
to come with
wrapping paper
and ribbons.
Sometimes the
most appreciated
present is the
gift of doing
something
meaningful for
someone else.
Share the gift of
giving back with
friends and family
this season.
COLOR MY WORLD
Break out the colored pens and
Crayola crayons and create holiday
cards for senior citizens. Most nurs-
ing homes are amenable to volun-
teers dropping off or dropping in
to distribute. Note: Contacting the
home ahead of time to get instruc-
tions on rules and regulations is
recommended. • Caring Senior
Service of Bergen County, Park
Ridge, [phone]; Jewish Home
At Rockleigh, [phone]; Van
Dyk Ridgewood, [phone]
COVERING YOUR BASES
No license required. Setting up a
clothing drive is the ideal way to
get children involved in giving back.
It can be as simple as a hat and
glove collection set up through
a local school or scouting troop.
Or the whole family can pitch in
and put together a cold-weather
package complete with pajamas,
bathrobe, socks and slippers.
Hand warmers are always a wel-
come item for homeless men and
women. • Eva’s Village, Paterson,
[phone]; Salvation Army,
North Bergen, [phone]; Girl
Scouts of Northern New Jersey,
Paramus, [phone]; Boy Scouts
of America – Northern New Jersey
Council, Oakland, [phone]
BRANCHING OUT
The popular giving tree is a great
option for all ages to get in the
spirit of giving back. Many local
community centers, churches,
mosques and temples offer holi-
day giving trees or adopt-a-family
programs that allow individuals
and families to purchase gifts for
homeless children and adults. And
don’t forget about our four-legged
friends — local animal shelters
now have pet projects and holiday
wish lists, too. • Boys & Girls Club
of Paterson, [phone]; United
Way of Northern New Jersey,
[phone]; Bergen County
Protect and Rescue Foundation,
Cliffside Park, [phone]
FEED THE NEED
Food baskets are always in need
— especially around the holidays.
Make it extra special by putting
together a full meal, including a
festive tablecloth, pretty paper
products, dinner candles and a gift
card to a local bakery or produce
store. It will feed the need and
create a memorable dining experi-
ence. • Bergen Volunteer Center,
Hackensack, [phone]; Center
for Food Action, Englewood,
[phone]; Family Promise,
Ridgewood, [phone]
(201) FAMILY | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017
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