The holidays always feel like a tricky time of year for me.  Not because of finding the right gifts or putting up holiday decorations, but because of those red buckets at pretty much every store.  You know, the ones that are accompanied by someone ringing a bell.  Yes, I am talking about the Salvation Army donation buckets.

To be honest, I am torn.  I don’t donate to the Salvation Army because of their strong religiously-based stance on homosexuality.  As in, they don’t like it.  Now, I realize that every person is welcome to their own opinion, and I suppose that companies are too.   I understand that on the local level that they don’t ask for someone’s sexual orientation before they provide help, I have even had a few friends who have worked for them in Central New York.  I am not saying they don’t do good things.  I am saying that I disagree with their corporate anti-gay stance.  So, like I mentioned, I am torn.  It isn’t that I don’t want to donate to those who are needy in my community, but as an LGBT friendly, non-religious person I am not generally comfortable donating to the Salvation Army.  I am never disrespectful to those ringing bells, and when my former place of employment wanted us to ring bells I politely declined.  Here is an article from the Huffington Post: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/26/salvation-army-gay-rights-voucher_n_2192085.html

Luckily, the Salvation Army isn’t the only charity in town, and if you listen to local radio stations or morning TV programs there are many other options out there.  Often, I donate to charities who want things, like toys for kids, and not money.  I know at that point that my gift is going straight to someone who needs it.  I even happily donate blood because I know it’s needed.  I donate (whenever possible) personal care items to local women’s shelters, and did the same when someone at my college was collecting food and hygienic products for Hurricane Sandy victims (coupon-ing FTW!).  I have donated to the SPCA, cause I love the puppies and kitties!

For me it is important to show care and affection through out this holiday season, and if I can do that supporting the organizations who reflect my personal values, but also with items other then cash that still make a difference in someone’s life then for me that is the epitome of the Holiday Spirit.

So PLEASE, get out there and donate to your local food bank, Toys for Tots, even look to your local high school or college for winter coat drives, or if you so choose, your church-based organization.  Just make sure that your values and your gift are completely supported by the charity you choose to donate to!

Want to donate, but not sure who or where to donate?  Call your local town hall, check out local papers, or just try google!  Good luck and happy giving!