Fun With A Message: Don’t Forget the Little Ones
Fun With A Message Gift Guide: Don’t Forget the Little Ones
Make it not just a wonderful season but a wonderful life!
Christmas is almost here! In a couple of days, we will be bundled up celebrating this special time of year.
Soon we will be watching in anticipation as our kids faces might up with joy as they open up their presents we carefully wrapped. Nothing brings so much joy as giving, doesn’t it?
Our joy in giving must not end on December 25th. As in the title of that heart warming movie, let’s make it A Wonderful Life!
To help us all with practical ideas on how to give to the children, Fun with A Message assembled this guide.
The great thing about this guide is that it can be completed at any time of the year. Maybe some families get a bit more time in the week Between Christmas and New Year’s? People in need would appreciate a gift any time of the year.
Hope your family can use some of these ideas!
Gifts of Kindness: There’s always time to give!
In the previous post for these series we talked about how we can bring so much joy to people right around us with a little time and effort. We also talked about starting a Christmas tradition with the kids assembling a gift box for a child that might otherwise not receive anything for Christmas.
If you didn’t have time to assemble a gift before Christmas, don’t worry! Children that have been neglected, abused, or abandoned,) need someone to care for them. Some of them, never had a birthday party. Or don’t receive birthday cards or gifts.
This is the second section of our gift guide:
- We can bless our neighbors right next door.
- We can reach neglected children (near our home)
- We can send a gift to a child in another country.
Today, we will be giving you gift ideas on how to bless the little forgotten ones.
Gifts for Kids
Some of these gifts would be really easy to assemble in a shoes box and a trip to the dollar store!
Art For Kids:
At Fun With A Message we love art and use it to encourage kids. And what better gift than to teach kids about art!
Give the gift of art to homeless children or children in low-income neighborhoods. You can volunteer or said resources for art classes or art therapy.
DrawBridge: An Arts Program for Homeless Children
PO Box 2698 )San Rafael, CA 94912
Mission: DrawBridge provides art programs for homeless and other vulnerable children in an environment that fosters their sense of childhood joy, creativity and exuberance. Beyond that we strive to promote the well-being and stability of the family by creating a supportive community.
Apple Arts NYC
Apple Arts leads free afterschool arts workshops to children living in shelters and other challenging conditions on weekdays with occasional weekend field trips. Volunteers needed. Contact info@applearts.org to volunteer. Donate at applearts.org or mail in to:
Apple Arts NYC, PO Box 958, New York, N.Y., 10014.
Gifts for Kids in Children’s Homes:
Children’s homes usually provide a safe place for hurting abused or abandoned children.
Below find some awesome organizations to donate or volunteer.* Check the internet to find one in your area.
Before donating your time or resources, always check www.guidestar.org to make sure is a worthwhile organization.
Give in Person or send by mail:
School Supplies: rulers, notebooks, glue, drawing paper, crayolas, backpacks, pencils.
Birthday Bags: Medium to large bags filled with birthday supplies like toys, games, books, etc.
Equipment: desktop and laptop computers, monitors, projects, etc.
Toys Used in Play Therapy: puppets, ethnic anatomically-correct dolls, and ethnic doll house people.
Art Supplies Used in Play Therapy: markers, modeling clay, paint brushes, and tempura paint.
Gifts for kids: picture books, educational gifts, puzzles.
General gifts: diapers, bed sheets, kitchen supplies, office supplies.
Useful Links:
Jewel Among Jewels
Jewel Among Jewels Adoption Network, Inc., a non-profit, faith-based educational organization, offers hope and encouragement through Biblically-based adoption literature and speaking. The Jewels mission is to empower adoptees to see themselves through the Father’s eyes-a jewel among jewels.
https://www.sherrieeldridge.
Christian Family Care Agency
Christian Family Care Agency is a private nonprofit, 501(c)(3) social services agency that provides:
Adoption
Foster Care
Pregnancy Counseling
Child & Family Counseling programs focused on meeting the needs of
children and families in Arizona.
3121 E. Greenway Rd.
Phoenix, AZ 85032
4KIDS of South Florida
We exist to extend “A Home for Every Child in Crisis” through meeting the needs of children and families from the womb to their early 20’s. Programs include foster care, safe houses and independent-living homes.
Royal Family KIDS
Royal Family KIDS is the nation’s leading network of camps and mentor clubs for children of abuse, abandonment and neglect.
Liberty Youth Ranch, Inc.
Provide a permanent and loving environment for children who through no fault of their own are in need of a home, a family, and the opportunity simply to be children. We base our concepts on a belief in God and the uniqueness, dignity, and inherent worth of each individual.
24900 Liberty Youth Ranch Way
Bonita Springs, FL
https://libertyyouthranch.org/
Mercy Ministries
Mercy Ministries’ free-of-charge, voluntary, faith-based residential program serves young women from all socio-economic backgrounds,victims of trafficking.
PO Box 111060
Nashville, TN 37222-1060
https://www.mercyministries.
Safe Horizon https://www.safehorizon.org/
Crossroads NOLA is a faith-based 501c3 nonprofit organization committed to making a difference in the lives of children in foster care in New Orleans.
https://http//www.
Give to Homeless Kids:
Kids in Rescue Missions:
Provide meals and a place to sleep to homeless families.
Each city should have a rescue mission. Check the internet to find local address for the nearest rescue mission.
Give online:
Provide a warm meal for a family this Christmas for as little as $10.00.
Give in Person or send by mail:
School Supplies: rulers, notebooks, glue, drawing paper, crayolas, backpacks, pencils.
Birthday Bags: Medium to large bags filled with birthday supplies like toys, games, books, etc.
Equipment: desktop and laptop computers, monitors, projects, etc.
Toys Used in Play Therapy: puppets, ethnic anatomically-correct dolls, and ethnic doll house people.
Art Supplies Used in Play Therapy: markers, modeling clay, paint brushes, and tempura paint.
Gifts for kids: picture books, educational gifts, puzzles.
General gifts: diapers, bed sheets, kitchen supplies, office supplies.
Useful Links:
The Highway Community Gift Guide (Bay Area)
* Fun With A Message is not affiliated with any of these organizations listed above. Please check guide star before donating your time or money to any organization.
Thanks for linking up at the Thoughtful Spot Weekly Blog Hop! We hope you stop by again next week!
I love how you have the three different ways to give: “neighbors right next door, neglected children (near our home) and children in another country.” What a great way to get kids to think outside of themselves!
Thank you for posting to Motivation Monday!
Such great ideas! I want to give more to rescue missions and important for kids to see how they can help those less fortunate. Thanks for sharing this inspiring post with #SmallVictoriesSundaylinkup
What a great list. Hope you had a wonderful Christ-filled Christmas. Stopping by from Counting My Blessings. 🙂
Great ideas, thanks for linking up at Good Morning Mondays. Blessings
Such great ideas, going the extra mile. A wrapped gift causes excitement no matter what is inside. You are my neighbor at Spiritual Sundays.
Dear Hazel,
Thank you so much for visiting!
Have a Merry Christmas!
This is a wonderful wrap-up! I know every community has their groups that could benefit, but some need a starting point.
Could I also add pediatric units of hospitals? Or stuffed animals (new) for kids who have to ride in an ambulance?
Thank you Robbie!:)
Great idea! I will be adding it to the list. Are you familiar with any organizations that help kids in hospitals?