Contact shelters to ask about donating toys

We have received emails from people asking how to help children this holiday season. Our suggestion is to contact your local shelter to ask about donating toys. Sometimes families are forced to flee to a shelter right before Christmas. This almost always guarantees a last minute toy crunch.

When a family comes in at the last minute, staff will scramble to find toys and some will buy things out of their own pocket. We have known advocates and staff to make Christmas smaller for their own family because of a last minute need. No one wants a child who believes in Santa to wake up without a toy.

Donating funds or gift cards to a shelter may be another way to help. There is one thing about designating funds. Please specify that the gift can be used to fund general operating expenses if it is not fully used to purchase toys. Shelters need electricity, water, household items and staff salaries. These are often funded  through the gifts of people like you and me.

Contacting your local shelter is the best way to find out what the needs are and how to help.

Support domestic violence programs during the holidays

The holidays are here already. Time flies by doesn't it? It seems like last month that my family was packing away the Christmas tree and carefully wrapping up the decorations. It is time again to begin our yearly Christmas tradition and I always look forward to it.

One of our holiday traditions is to do something for someone who is less fortunate. There are many ways to support domestic violence programs. I'm going to include a few ideas below. We always support Hope for Healing.Org and usually put something extra in the church offering plate. If you are going to support a local program, I suggest calling to see what they need. Cash is always good but sometimes a program can be as short on copier paper or toner as it is on toys.

Here are a few things to ask your local program:

What do you need items for clients?
Are you taking donations of...

• Toys
• Adopt-a-family or Angel Tree
• Food
• Decorations
• Laundry detergent, dishwashing liquid or personal supplies

Does the program need...

• Projector
• Copy paper
• Toner (If yes, what kind?)
• Bulletin board
• Small gifts for staff
• Office supplies

Financial donations
Does the organizations accept...

• Pay Pal
• Credit Cards
• Check
• Cash
• iGive

Should the gift be designated for 

• General operating funds
• Particular budget item

Generally, financial donations of any size are appreciated as is any in-kind gift that the program needs. Just give your shelter or local program a call. They will be glad to hear from you.

Thanks for raising awareness during DVAM

October is always a busy time of year for us and every other advocacy organization across the US. Would you believe that some people still don't know that it's Domestic Violence Awareness Month? Events like #rockpurple4dv12 help get the word out.

While we're working on #rockpurple4dv13, we want to remind you that domestic violence happens all year. The peak times sometimes seem to be during the holidays, after natural disasters and other stressful life experiences.

No matter what, there is never any excuse to be abused or to be abusive to anyone else. If you fall into either category, then you owe it to yourself to get help. Contact your local domestic violence program to find out what types of help may be available to you.