Montclair Magazine Holiday 2017 | Page 20

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’Tis the Season for Giving
4 helpful ways to spread holiday cheer
WRITTEN BY DEIRDRE FLANAGAN WARD
T
he holidays are all
about giving. However,
not all gifts come with
wrapping paper and
ribbons. Sometimes
the most appreciated
present is the act of doing something
meaningful for someone else. Share
the gift of giving back with friends
and family this season. It’s the best
way to spread holiday cheer.
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 holiday 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. • United Way, Montclair [phone];
St. Luke’s Church, Montclair [phone] Bloomfield Animal Shelter [phone]; PAWS
Montclair Inc. [phone]
NO LICENSE
REQUIRED
COLOR MY WORLD
Gather the kids, break out the colored pens
and Crayola crayons and create holiday cards
for senior citizens. Most nursing homes are
amenable to volunteers dropping them off
or dropping in to distribute them. Note:
Contacting the home ahead of time to get
instructions on rules and regulations is rec-
ommended. • Van Dyk Manor, Montclair
[phone]; Monsignor Kelly Residence,
Caldwell, [phone]; Canterbury At Cedar
Grove, [phone]
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HOLIDAY 2017 MONTCLAIR MAGAZINE
Setting up a clothing drive is the
ideal way to get teens 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 pack-
age complete with pajamas,
bathrobe, socks and slippers.
Hand warmers are always a
welcome item for homeless
men and women. • Salvation
Army, Montclair [phone];
Interfaith Hospitality Network,
Montclair [phone];
Girl Scout Council, Montclair
[phone]; Montclair
Neighborhood Development
Corporation [phone]
FEED THE NEED
Food baskets are always in needed — especially
around the holidays. Make it extra special by put-
ting together a full meal, including a festive table-
cloth, pretty paper products, dinner candles and a
gift card to a local bakery or fresh produce store.
It will feed the need and create a memorable
dining experience. • Human Needs Food Pantry,
Montclair [phone]; Nutley Family Service
Bureau [phone]; Neighbor to Neighbor
Network, Bloomfield, [phone]
GEORGE
BRANCHING OUT