‘Tis the Season for Giving
December 8, 2009 by Brooke
Because it’s the holidays – and I’m getting into the spirit of things – I’ve decided to deviate from the normal CDe blog content (of all things public relations and social media) and instead delve into more festive subject matter: holiday giving.
At Costa DeVault, we’ve always supported local nonprofits, and in doing so, we see the need in the community firsthand – and we’ve seen the need grow. In Florida, the unemployment rate is 11.2% and the poverty rate sits at 12.5%. As a result, many local nonprofits and community organizations need help now more than ever. They are serving more people with fewer resources.
This holiday season, I would like to challenge everyone to make a contribution. Large or small, it doesn’t matter. Volunteer to feed the homeless. Drop change into a Salvation Army kettle. Buy a toy to support a children’s program. Drop off a bag of cat food to the humane society. Small donations have the ability to make a HUGE difference in someone’s life.
As famed poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow once said, “Give what you have. To someone, it may be better than you dare to think.”
I’ve compiled a short list of nonprofits (some local to Central Florida, some national) below – and of course, there are many more than I’ve included here. If you don’t see your favorite charity, please add it in the comments!
Happy Holidays (and happy giving)!
December 9th, 2009 at 12:21 pm
I think it is wonderful that Costa DeVault, beyond offering stellar advice on PR and social media, also maintains a social consciousness that they pass on to the community. I may be biased in my charity of choice seeing as I am an employee, but I really must commend Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida (NY Coalition is listed, we are not affiliated) as a wonderful holiday consideration for our community.
Since coming on staff at the Coalition nearly a year and a half ago, I have been so impressed with what we are able to accomplish: last year alone, the Coalition provided over 211,000 nights of shelter, almost 300,000 meals, and case-managed services (including education, job training, and counseling) to men, women, and families with children. We serve nearly 600 people each night, 200 of whom are children with an average age of six years old. Particularly in light of tough economic times, the issue of homelessness is more important to our Central Florida community than ever!
To find out more about the Coalition, you can visit our website at http://www.centralfloridahomeless.org.
December 9th, 2009 at 12:39 pm
Hi Shari,
Thanks for your comment! And I agree, Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida is a fantastic nonprofit to consider when making donations this holiday season.
Could you list a few things that the Coalition could use this time of year? Blanket donations? Volunteers to serve food?
Happy Holidays!
Brooke