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6 Ways To Make A Difference This Christmas Season

D.A. Blodgett - St. John's
12/10/09 03:02pm
Nonprofit Dispatches

This dispatch was added by one of our Nonprofit Neighbors. It does not represent the editorial voice of The Rapidian or Community Media Center.

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Submitted By: Carrie Lyzenga, Special Events Coordinator & Marketing/PR Manager 

  1. Sponsor a child for Christmas. Many children are not blessed with the opportunity to receive gifts on Christmas. D.A. Blodgett for Children offers an opportunity for you to sponsor a family, or just a child, which will allow a family or child to get a Christmas they otherwise could not afford.
 
  1. Be a mentor. D.A. Blodgett for Children offers opportunities for you to get involved in many different mentoring programs. Community-Based Mentoring means spending 1-3 hours a week with a child; School-Based Mentoring means spending about 45 minutes to 1 hour with a child in a school setting; Amachi Mentoring means spending time with a child whose parent is incarcerated. Encouraging children to reach their potential will be both rewarding and fun.
 
  1. Consider adopting an older child or a child with disabilities. Many of these children are often last on the adoption list. Make them the first by creating a peaceful environment where they feel welcome and loved. There are many resources offered to parents adopting for the first time, such as post-placement support, study services, and education.
 
  1. Donate to your favorite charity. Even during the 2008 recession, Americans gave over $300 billion to charities and non-profit organizations. Committing to an organization and giving as much as is feasible allows these companies to positively affect thousands each year. In 2008, D.A. Blodgett for Children served over 2,500 abused and neglected children and families.     
 
  1. Join a program that matches young single moms with experienced mentors. D.A. Blodgett for Children offers a program called Sisters-In-Support. Taking two to three hours a week to offer support and advice to a new mother will not only help the mother and the newborn, but will invest a change in your life as well.
 
  1. Donate tickets to a charity for a less fortunate family. Any tickets you are unable to use? Tickets to sporting events, concerts, or even movies are luxuries many families can not afford. Donate them to our Big Brothers Big Sisters program and you could offer a lasting memory for a child who might never be able to experience some of the great events Grand Rapids has to offer.  Or you could donate them to one of our foster families; family outings are stress relievers and encourage family bonding.

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