Ways to Give Back During the Holidays

A commenter on my original Christmas post thoughtfully pointed out that we could use some more information about the events that have charitable connections and elements. I agree, so I’ve highlighted those here. Know of others? Send them to me at liz.johnstone@dmagazine.com.

How to give: Toys to Needy Children

Holiday Extravaganza featuring the Polyphonic Spree. Tim DeLaughter’s merry band of elves spread holiday cheer for a ninth year. The Spree will button up the evening with two sets, one Christmas music, one rock ‘n roll. Supporting acts include We’re Not Dudes and Syncopated Ladies, and you can help make the season bright by bringing a new, unwrapped toy to donate to Toys for Tots (and a canned good for the North Texas Food Bank). Dec. 10, Lakewood Theater.

My Favorite Things. With over 150 singing members, the Turtle Creek Chorale really knows how to fill a concert hall. Please bring a new, unwrapped toy for the 22nd annual toy drive benefiting Children’s Medical Center and Parkland Hospital. Dec. 11 and 21. Meyerson.

Children’s Medical Center also has their own gift catalogue, of sorts. It allows you to separate your giving into specific ways you can help make a kid’s stay at the hospital just a little better. $25 provides educational and developmental toys. Donate $250, and a child gets towed around the hospital in a brand new, specially equipped red wagon instead of a gurney.

NorthPark Center is a charitable hub for the holidays. Bring or purchase a new toy on Dec. 16 or 17. Toys for Tots volunteers will collect at a spot on Level One between Macy’s and Dillard’s (near Santa) and another drop-off spot in the Northeast parking lot. Go here for a list of all the North Texas Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots drop off locations.

The Shawn Marion Foundation and “Christmas to Remember” Contest. Dedicated to helping single mothers, our World Champ definitely makes the ‘nice’ list this year. His charitable foundation is sponsoring a short essay contest that will provide two mothers with necessities this holiday seasons, which includes toys for kids, household items, and money for bills. Know someone who could use the help? Here’s how to enter: Write 200 words or less on “why you should be selected.” Please email the essay to Xmas@matrix31.com before Dec. 19, 2011. The email should include the following information: Address, phone number, children’s ages, gender, and their sizes. Another way to help is to attend the holiday mixer at The Fan Sports Lounge (which opened in November).

How To Give: Help All Year Round

While visiting Santa at NorthPark Center, you’ll also find Salvation Army bell ringers manning their familiar red kettles through Dec. 24. In addition, help out a needy child by grabbing a name off the Salvation Army Angel Tree. The tree is right next to Santa’s village near Macy’s, and will stay up through Dec. 12. The Trains at NorthPark benefit the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas, and the SPCA will have a pet adoption center open on Level One between Macy’s and Dillard’s daily through Dec. 23.

Speaking of the Salvation Army, you can also find Angel Trees at these malls: Galleria, Parks at Arlington, Town East, Collin Creek, Golden Triangle, Grapevine Mills, Hulen, Ridgmar, and Northeast. Adopt a child or a family for the holidays.

Christmas in the Park. The holidays should be the happiest time of year, but for some, it’s difficult to think about presents when it’s hard to afford essentials. The S.M. Wright Foundation is dedicated year-round to helping needy families in the Fair Park/South Dallas community. But for one day in December, the foundation organizes a big event to spread holiday cheer. Those in need are invited to come for basics, like food and clothing, as well as toys (including big stuff, like bikes) to help make a child’s Christmas wish come true. Since someone once told us it was better to give than to receive, you can help make the day a success by donating money or volunteering your time. Dec. 17, Fair Park.

A Giving for Good card. Instead of buying sweaters bound for gift exchange, the Dallas Foundation has an alternate proposal. Their Giving for Good card acts like one of those pre-paid credit cards, but the funds are eligible at the 501(c)(3) public charity of the redeemer’s choice. That counts for any charity in the United States, including schools, churches, and synagogues. (Plus, your gift is tax deductible.)

As always, before giving to a charity, it’s best to check its legitimacy. The Wise Giving Alliance has a national list of verified organizations.

How to Give: Food to the Hungry

Planning to attend the Dallas Theater Center’s production of A Christmas Carol? Bring a canned food item to donate to the North Texas Food Bank.

And while we’re on the subject of the North Texas Food Bank, there are plenty of ways to help ensure no one goes hungry. Each canned food drive the food bank conducts costs them $100 of money better spent elsewhere, so NTFB encourages donating online. You can also purchase a calendar or holiday greeting cards, volunteer your time, and eat pizza.

Pie Five (a Pizza Inn concept, new to the Knox neighborhood and Las Colinas) will not only donate $1 to the NTFB for every pizza sold, but you’ll get a free pie of equal or lesser value. Just bring this coupon through Dec. 31.

If you’re closer to Fort Worth, the Tarrant Area Food Bank could also use extra support. They have holiday cards for purchase, plus make plans to stop by the fifth incarnation of the Walter Kaufmann Chef’s Holiday Pantry at Ridgmar Mall. Give the gift of gourmet cakes, pies, cookies, breads, yule logs, muffins and more from over 40 Fort Worth restaurants and bakeries. Dec. 17, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

How to give: Love of the Arts

The Dallas Symphony Orchestra’s Deck the Hall concert helps support the symphony’s education programs. Dec. 10, Meyerson.

Go see a show, a concert, or a ballet performance. Patronizing our art organizations during the holidays helps them delight us again next season. FrontRow can help you choose.