As the holiday season is fast approaching, thoughts often turn toward helping those less fortunate. In fact, surveys have indicated more than 50 percent of all donations to charity are made between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Although the economy has seen the slimming in most everyone’s wallets, many of our friends and neighbors in the New River Valley could certainly benefit from a little extra help. Not all charities require giving donations either; many are in desperate need of volunteers to donate their time, not their cash.

The Salvation Army has been assisting to meet the needs of the citizens of the NRV for more than 88 years since opening up a Worship Center in Pulaski in 1919. They now serve the counties of Montgomery, Floyd, Giles, Pulaski, and Radford City. The Salvation Army is almost synonymous with Christmas charities. The image of the Santas ringing their bells next to a bucket of change has become a staple of the holiday season. But where does that money go?

The funds raised by red kettle donations are used to bring Christmas to those in the community who might otherwise not even have a Christmas; the elderly, and the low-income families with children. A box of food and a few wrapped presents from the Salvation Army is all that some families will have this Christmas.

There are three ways that you can help families less fortunate than yourself this Christmas season, and throughout the year. You can drop some money in one of those red kettles as you exit a shopping center, you can volunteer to become a bell ringer yourself, or sign up to volunteer for special services, such as disaster relief. Visit http://www.uss.salvationarmy.org/USS/www_uss_newrivervalley.nsf/ to become a “Virtual Bell Ringer.”

Another standard of holiday charities is the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. Their mission is to collect new unwrapped toys during October, November, and December each year, and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to needy children in the community. The group says its hope is to instill a “message of hope to needy youngsters that will motivate them to grow into responsible, productive, patriotic citizens and community leaders.”

From 1991-2005, the Foundation supplemented local toy collections with 64.5 million toys valued at $344 million. Contact Robert Wrenn at 540.381.3673. Also visit http://christiansburg-va.toysfortots.org to donate online, request toys, or gain additional information.

The Montgomery County Christmas store is an all-volunteer, community-wide nonprofit organization that provides a shopping experience characterized by choice and dignity for low-income families in Montgomery County during the Christmas season. Their operation days and hours started Nov. 1 on Tuesday and Saturday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday hours start on Nov. 28. Beginning Dec. 1, days extend from Monday to Saturday. Shopping days are December 8 -12.

Their fundraising goal for 2009 is $160,000. Monetary contributions received before Dec. 1 are especially appreciated, and can be mailed to: Montgomery County Christmas Store, P.O. Box 221, Blacksburg, VA 24063-0221.

They also except donated goods in the form of winter items for babies and toddlers such as diapers, blankets, and strollers, non-perishable food items, warm children, teen, and adult clothing, toys, gifts for teens, household items, books, etc. Donations for Christiansburg residents can be made at 30 W. Main St (the old Heilig-Meyers Store). Donations for Blacksburg residents can be made at the Northside Presbyterian Church on 1017 Progress St. Nov 1, 8, 15, and 22.

To be eligible to shop at the Montgomery County Christmas Store every applicant must meet the following criteria: have an income that is no greater than 125 percent of the federal established poverty level, and be a Montgomery County resident. Applicants must also meet one of the following conditions: be 62 years of age or older, receive some type of disability, have children 17 years of age or younger, or have emergency circumstances. Visit http://www.mcchristmasstore.org for more information or contact Mae Hoover at mccs@bburg.bev.net.

Other charitable organizations include:

The United Way is an active partner in the Christmas Emergency Assistance Program. It’s a program that allows people to receive gifts for their children during the holiday season. Contact Information and Resources Coordinator Chris White at chris@unitedwaynrv.org for more details.

The Community Foundation is a nonprofit organization that has a holiday Annual Charity Auction on December 4. It is the second auction they’ve held, and has a holiday theme. Contact Associate Executive Director Jessica Wirgau at jessicawirgau@cfnrv.org for more information. 

 Sarah Sandridge is an intern at New River Voice