Tis the season for giving! During a time of year when commercialism can take over a bit, it's also important to give back whenever possible. The Tuesday after Thanksgiving has been named “Giving Tuesday” to counter balance Black Friday and Cyber Monday. But this notion of celebrating generosity is a season-long (lifelong, really!) concept.

This year, give a gift that makes an impact – right here in our own community. On this Giving Tuesday, or anytime during the holidays, consider giving or volunteering with one of these organizations. They serve the community by creating a better life for all residents. For a list of even more organizations in Bucks County, click here or checkout our 2019 Happening List Winners, Finalists and Nominees for the Charity category.

Philabundance

If you listen to WMMR, you've heard of Preston & Steve's Campout for Hunger. The 22nd annual event is happening December 2 through December 6 at Xfinity Live! Hosts Preston Elliot & Steve Morrison camp out in the parking lot of XFINITY Live! beginning Monday morning and broadcast live all week from the site. Throughout the week, there will be all types of entertainment. The only price of admission is a simple donation for Philabundance. To find out more, click here.

Philabundance is the area’s largest hunger relief organization in the Delaware Valley. The organization distributes more than 24 million pounds of food to those who need it every year. They are in need of monetary gifts as well as volunteers to hand out fresh vegetables and fruits in many locations in the area as well as grocery rescue volunteers, who pick up food at local grocery stores and drive it to neighborhood Philabundance agencies. To learn more or to donate, visit philabundance.org.

Kisses for Kyle 11th Annual Holiday Gift Drive

The Kisses for Kyle Foundation is a non-profit based in Willow Grove that helps families battling childhood cancer by providing a wide range of programs, services, financial and emotional support for the entire family. During the holidays, Kisses for Kyle asks for either monetary or gift donations. If you visit the site before November 24, you can choose a child and see what that child is asking for this Christmas. You can then make a promise to ship that item directly to Kisses for Kyle or take it to a drop off location before December 1 and it will be delivered to the child. For more information, click here.

The Marine Corps Reserve’s Toys for Tots

The Toys for Tots program accepts monetary donations as well as new, unwrapped toys for area children. Take your donations to one of the many drop-off sites in the area. The locations are marked with Toys for Tots donation boxes. For a full list of drop-off sites, go to toysfortots.org.

Photo from Toys for Tots on Facebook.

Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County

Habitat for Humanity donations fund the purchase of materials needed to build homes and offer low-cost repairs to area families. The organization is also looking for volunteers to build homes, help in the office, and work in the ReStore, located in Chalfont. The ReStore sells gently used furniture, housewares, and building materials with the proceeds directly supporting the organization’s work. For more information or to donate, visit habitatbucks.org.

Land Trust of Bucks County

Protect farmland, natural resources, wildlife habitats, biodiversity and scenic vistas throughout Bucks County with a donation to the Land Trust of Bucks County. They accept one-time monetary donations as well as offering memberships at different giving amounts. For more information, visit landtrustbuckscounty.org.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bucks County

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bucks County (BBBSBC) has been providing children facing adversity with professionally supported one-to-one mentoring relationships for since 1963. BBBSBC is a donor supported, volunteer driven organization dedicated to helping Bucks County youth to achieve their full potential. Children matched with mentors gain greater self-confidence, are less likely to engage in risky behaviors—like using alcohol and drugs—and create higher goals for their future. There are over 200 kids on their waiting list, and 70% of them are boys.  At Big Brothers Big Sisters, mentoring is not about saving a child, but rather about igniting the power and promise of youth. For more information about BBBSBC please call 215-343-8260 or visit www.bbbsbc.org.

BBBSBC is welcoming the public to their first-ever tree-lighting ceremony on Friday, December 6 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The agency’s head office, which is located at 2875 York Road in Jamison, will be magically transformed into a winter wonderland. There will be kid activities, hot chocolate and cookies, and photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus. The main event of the evening (besides Santa!) will be the 12-foot tall, fully-decorated live Christmas tree.  Rachel Kurtz, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bucks County’s CEO or Chief Elf Officer, will flip the switch,with the help of Santa and Mrs. Claus, at 7 p.m. 

This free event is appropriate for all ages. Santa does have one small request, however. In the true spirit of the holidays, he would like everyone attending the tree lighting ceremony to bring a canned food donation for The Food Pantry of St. John’s of Hatboro.  

Bucks County SPCA

Donations made this Giving Tuesday to the Bucks County SPCA will be put towards reducing cat overpopulation. The funds will pay for spaying and neutering of Bucks County cats. The organization also accepts general donations and volunteers. In addition to monetary donations, the shelter has a wish list on the web site for items they need. For more information, visit bcspca.org.

Give a Christmas: An Intelligencer & Bucks County Opportunity Council & Keystone Opportunity Center Project

Every year since 1988, The Intelligencer asks its readers to open their hearts and their wallets to help their neighbors in need. Since its beginning, more than $2.5 million has been contributed to Give-A-Christmas, with $139,369 donated last year. In 2017-2018, Give-A-Christmas funds helped 472 families in poverty  in Bucks and Montgomery Counties with gift cards for Christmas and other essential needs. The needs of many of our neighbors are basic, food, warm clothing, and transportation; and their gratitude for any help at all is moving.  Give-A-Christmas helps the most vulnerable in our community who have the greatest needs. Click here to donate.

We Are Supported By: