The holidays are truly a season full of giving.

It is important to realize that while many of us in the school community are lucky to have necessities provided and available to us, but others around us may be lacking. While some of us may be getting everything we have ever dreamed of this holiday season, there is a large number of communities who are struggling financially. So in the spirit of whichever holiday you are celebrating, it is important to give back to those in need. Here are a few ways you can get involved in our community and donate to those less fortunate than you. I have been looking far and wide to find some of the best resources for donating in these next few weeks. Below are some of the best resources I have found. Along with each link I have provided a description of each charity in order to help you decide how you would best like to help out.

St. Jude Gift Shop:

(Link: https://giftshop.stjude.org/)

Click Featured and then Donations to go to the section that provides the most benefit to children receiving treatment for cancer!

A message from St. Jude: “When you make a donation using this section, your donation will be used to support breakthrough research, treatment and cures. Items listed in this section are representative of services and supplies that are part of the treatment and care of children of St. Jude. Thanks to generous supporters, families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food —because all a family should worry about is helping their child live.”

FRHSD t-shirt fundraiser:

(Link: FRHSD T-Shirt )

T-shirt purchases provide funds for families in need this holiday!

A message from TOCK: “Tokens of Community Kindness is a service-learning project created by two seniors in the Law and Public Service magnet program at Colts Neck HS. We aim to provide a sense of community through the holidays! Each month we focus on a different holiday and have activities planned to bring our community together. We are looking to sponsor a holiday for a local family in need! The more money we raise, the more families we can provide an extra special holiday! The more t-shirts we sell, the more money per shirt will be donated! Buy or donate to help our cause! We greatly appreciate all of your help!”

Toys for Tots:

(Link: Marine Toys for Tots)

Toys for Tot provides toys for little ones with families who struggle financially!

A message from Toys for Tots: “Local toy collection campaigns begin in October and last until mid to late December.  Toy distribution also takes place mid to late December.  Members of the community drop new, unwrapped toys in collection boxes positioned in local businesses.  Coordinators pick up these toys and store them in central warehouses where the toys are sorted by age and gender.  At Christmas, Coordinators, with the assistance of local social welfare agencies, church groups, and other local community agencies, distribute the toys to the less fortunate children of the community.  Over the years, Marines have established close working relationships with social welfare agencies, churches and other local community agencies which are well qualified to identify the needy children in the community and play important roles in the distribution of the toys.”

In the words of Mahatma Gandhi “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” Such a simple but necessary lesson! As always, stay healthy, stay safe and remember to choose kind!