How to make the Holidays happier for Sowallers

[scooterbug44]

It's been a rough year for many and that will translate into not so happy holidays for our friends and neighbors.

Here are some ways you can help locally:

Caring and Sharing is collecting special holiday food items in addition to their usual list. They have a collection point in front of the UPS store in the Watercolor Publix plaza. You can donate food, money, clothing, furniture, or your time to help.
South Walton County Florida Volunteering, Donations, Fund Raising

Elf Ride is Sunday December 5 at 1 pm. This is a great event for children to participate in - decorate your bikes and bring unwrapped gifts for the SWFD Angel tree. Includes hot cocoa, cookies, and a tour of the Firehouse.
http://www.sowal.com/bb/events-activities/52023-elf-ride-december-5th.html

Alaqua Animal Refuge is having a holiday open house Saturday December 11 from 12-4. Proceeds will go to support the shelter.
They also are in need of money, donations, and volunteers - especially around the holidays.
Alaqua Animal Refuge

Chelco's Members Helping Members program lets you donate to help pay someone's electrical bill.
Members Helping Members - Choctawhatchee Electric Cooperative, Inc. - CHELCO

Help raise money to get 2-1-1 service in Walton County. This is a great community resource to help people in trouble find help.
http://www.menwhoservicewalton.com/

Please add to the list and do what you can to help.

 

[BeachbumAggie]

Also, there are many older adults in the nursing home that have few or no visitors, a box of chocolate cherries, some sugar free candy or a poinsettia and or a visit are so welcomed. You can call the social worker or activities director to ask about volunteering to visit someone.

Great thread!

 

[Zebraspots]

Publix is doing their annual Food for Sharing Program through December 31.

You donate at the checkout and get a free reusable bag as a thank you.

[FONT=&quot]The donation amounts are $10.84 for gold, $8.35 for silver, and $5.66 for bronze. When you get to the check-out counter, indicate to the cashier which amount you want to purchase.

[/FONT] [FONT=&quot] GOLD: Publix Fruit Cocktail, Homestyle Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans (2), Rice, and Plumrose Ham[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot] SILVER: Publix Green Beans, Hormel Corned Beef Hash, Rice, Publix Grape Jelly, and Publix Creamy Peanut Butter[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot] BRONZE: Publix Fruit Cocktail, Publix Cut Green Beans, Star-Kist Tuna (2), and Armour Vienna Sausage (3)[/FONT]

 

[kitlit]

All EXCELLENT ideas, thanks guys! It's often easy to get so wrapped up in your own stuff, and forget that there are SO many easy ways to make the holidays a little brighter for others!

Keep those ideas coming, folks, and lets get out there and help!

 

[scooterbug44]

Bump!

 

[GoodWitch58]

Kudos to the SWFD Angel Tree program. I took my grandchildren, 7 and 3, there yesterday to pick out an angel card. It was a heartwarming experience.

Diane was wonderful at explaining the program; she gave the children Jr Fire Chief hats and a bracelet, took us in the conference room where we searched through the cards for "just the right" girl or boy...ended up with four because we could not leave one behind...Then, newest fireman, Matt, gave the children and me a very informative tour of the fire engine and the EMS "bus"...he was an excellent guide and teacher and the children and I were fascinated at what these guys do and how fortunate we are to have them in our community.

Next, it was off to lunch to discuss the gifts we were going to get and then to the store to shop. My grandson was adamant that a 3 year old would not want that "baby truck" and diligently searched until he found just the right one...my granddaughter was just as adamant that we get the right combination of gifts for the two girls on her card...what a joy to share this with my grandchildren. I highly recommend it as an outing with your children or grandchildren.

 

[Jdarg]

Make a donation to help fund the 2-1-1 system for Walton County! It is the ONLY system that can help people in need hook up with all providers of services- food, housing/shelters, healthcare, financial assistance, and also suicide hotline, rape crisis hotline, and similar groups. It will be the only call people need to make when they need help.

The community did a great job of raising money at the Catwalk, but more needs to be raised! For more info on the 211 system, watch this great video-


Catwalk 211

 

[Carol G]

These are all really good ideas, thank you!

The Waterfront Rescue Mission in Fort Walton Beach does a shoebox campaign (see below) every year at Christmas, does anyone know if there is something similar in Walton County? It's something I enjoyed doing each Christmas when I lived there.


Christmas Shoebox Project
This Christmas many people will be staying at the
Waterfront Rescue Mission due to circumstances
they cannot control. They come to us from all walks
of life and different backgrounds. One thing they
have in common is that they need help.
A few years ago, we initiated the Christmas Shoebox
Project, and it has been a huge success. Below is a list
of basic needs for those staying at the Mission.

Please pack them in a shoe box and wrap it as a
present, wrapping the lid separate from the box.
The real need is for men, pre-teen/teen, and infant/
toddler gifts.

You can deliver these items to the Fort Walton Beach
Mission at 112 Hollywood Blvd. SE, no later than
December 11th.
? Soap
? Socks
? Underwear (Med. to 3X)
? Thermal Underwear
? T-Shirts (Small to 3X)
? Writing Tablet
? Pens
? Envelopes
? Kleenex
? Stocking Cap & Gloves
? Postage Stamps
? Razors
? Skin Lotion
? Shaving Cream
? Shampoo/Conditioner
? Fingernail Clippers
? Toothpaste
? Deodorant
? Toothbrush

 

[avalon]

Make a donation to help fund the 2-1-1 system for Walton County! It is the ONLY system that can help people in need hook up with all providers of services- food, housing/shelters, healthcare, financial assistance, and also suicide hotline, rape crisis hotline, and similar groups. It will be the only call people need to make when they need help.

The community did a great job of raising money at the Catwalk, but more needs to be raised! For more info on the 211 system, watch this great video-


Catwalk 211

Great idea! I have an opening today ( 11/29/10) for a family portrait session on the beach. I will donate the entire 175.00 sitting fee if you tell me you saw the offer on Sowal. 850-468-0706

 

[Teresa]

Ways to give at Seaside this holiday..

Own an original piece of art from legendary artist Woodie Long by purchasing a raffle ticket from Seaside Classic. The tickets are $5/each or 5 for $20! Drawing will be held on Thursday, December 30th and all proceeds will be donated to Caring & Sharing of South Walton.

Seaside?s canned food drive is in full swing. Bring a bag of non-perishable items to Perspicasity and receive 20% off merchandise at Pizitz Home & Cottage, Seaside Classic, Seaside Beach, Seaside Kids, & Perspicasity.


Can't wait to give this year's Woodie Long t-shirt to a few kids and friends who have been very very good this year...