Now that the holiday season has arrived, several charities need donations and volunteers to give families a reason to celebrate.
College students in Memphis have many opportunities to help.
For example, the Salvation Army has Angel Tree sites at Oak Court Mall, Wolfchase Galleria and Carrefour at Kirby Woods. Through this program, donors "adopt an angel" by removing an angel tag with a child's or senior's information and short wish list from one of these trees. They then buy three to four gifts from the list.
"When I adopted an angel, it was kind of unusual because I had to shop for a little boy (I have not met), but I enjoyed it because I was giving him a Christmas," said Brittany Thompson, junior theater performance major.
Later, the gifts are returned and sent to the Angel Tree warehouse where more volunteers wait to sort items. Family representatives then arrive to pick up the gifts.
"It's been a wonderful, wonderful year," said Lynn Shettles, coordinator of the Memphis Angel Tree program. "We have less than 150 angels remaining."
According to Shettles, volunteers are still needed to sort and pull items at the warehouse.
The Salvation Army also places red kettles and bell-ringing Santas around the city to collect monetary donations.
Barrels for Toys for Tots are also placed in shopping centers around Memphis. New and unwrapped toys are dropped off in the bins sponsored by the Marine Corps Reserve. These gifts are distributed to local charities so that a gift donated in Memphis stays in Memphis.
The Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association also collects toys and gift certificates valued at $15 for its Holiday Hope Chest. The items are set up in a store format where families living in MIFA housing or relying on the emergency service can pick three items per child.
According to Mary Williams, a MIFA coordinator, wish lists are also made for seniors that receive meals from MIFA. They ask for items like blankets, toiletries and poinsettias.
"We make goodie bags and deliver them with meals on Christmas Day," Williams said.
Volunteers are needed to deliver meals and gifts and would make stops at about 10 houses.
Volunteer Memphis also needs help with its holiday program, A Visit From St. Nick. On Dec. 6, volunteers will deliver backpacks, books, school supplies and toys to students in selected Memphis City School grade schools.
Donors can also give $25 to sponsor a student.
Other foundations raise money with admission to seasonal events. Le Bonheur's Enchanted Forest is held in the Pink Palace Museum and charges a $5 admission.
Attendees can view Christmas trees sponsored and decorated by local organizations and individuals. Visitors can also see elaborate gingerbread houses and have their picture taken with Santa.
Whether you give time, money or gifts, charities in Memphis ask for volunteers and donors this holiday season.
