Ten Ways To Give This Christmas Season

‘Tis the season, as the saying goes, when many people start thinking about how they can give to others less fortunate. But, in reality, especially these days, many people could use a helping hand at any time of year. Following are a few Airdrie organizations that could use your support both this Christmas and beyond.

1. Donate to the Airdrie Food Bank. Check out how to donate and what items are needed most at airdriefoodbank.com.
2. Drop your lightly used clothing, toys and sporting equipment at the Salvation Army Thrift Store on Main Street. For details on accepted items, visit ca/donating-goods.
3. The Airdrie Community Thrift Store on 1^st Avenue also gives back to several local groups. Call Rebecca at 586-360-3655 for a list of what they accept.
4. Both the Airdrie and District Victims Assistance Society (ADVAS) and Airdrie POWER benefit some of the most vulnerable members of the community all year long. For information, visit airdrievictimassistance.ca/how-to-give or airdriepower.com.
5. Sign up with Volunteer Airdrie, and get matched up with any number of community events, at volunteerairdrie.ca.
6. Contact a local seniors’ home and ask if they need any help either for the holiday season or on an ongoing basis. Whether it’s helping to serve tea and baking, leading Christmas carol singing or just visiting – you can make a difference.
7. The Airdrie 1^st Club’s hamper depot is now open at 106 Sierra Springs Drive, or visit airdrie1st.com to see how you can sponsor a family in need.
8. There are several local charitable foundations started to honour the memory of deceased loved ones and friends, including:

• Thumbs Up Foundation was established as a result of the sudden and tragic passing of Jesse Braden Titus (1984 – 2015) to improve mental health care and suicide prevention services.
• The Kalix Legacy Foundation, formed in honour of murder victim Kalix Langeneau, which helps provide sporting equipment for kids.
• The Straz Strong Foundation, launched in the wake of the tragic Humboldt Broncos bus crash in the spring of 2018, which claimed 16 lives and left Ryan Straschnitzki and many others severely injured, benefits those with mental or physical disabilities through adaptive sports , social awareness through public speaking and funding for rehabilitation needs.

9. The Airdrie Health Foundation benefits all Airdronians by working to make sure quality health care is available to all city residents, when they need it. To donate, visit airdriehealthfoundation.com.
10. Giving back doesn’t always mean food or money. Be kind. Say “Hi” to your neighbour. Shovel an old person’s sidewalk. Let someone merge in front of you in traffic. Help clear the snow from a local skating rink. It’s often the little things in life that can make a big difference.