With the holidays rapidly approaching, we’re all starting to feel the strain on our pocketbooks. Unless you’re one of the few particularly well-organized individuals who purchases Christmas presents throughout the year, buying the perfect items to gift to your loved ones can come with a hefty price tag this time of year. However, it’s not just shoppers who are struggling to make ends meet – the holiday season is one of the busiest times for many local charities. That’s why we encourage those with a little extra to consider donating to help those with a little less. And that doesn’t just mean bringing a box of non-perishable food items to the nearest food bank – there are lots of other ways to make a difference in your community. Clothing donations, especially items like sweaters, coats, mittens, and toques, are welcomed by a number of community organizations, and redistributed to those who might otherwise suffer a very chilly winter. Samaritan’s Purse Canada is still collecting shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child, which can help spread a bit of holiday spirit to children in developing countries around the world. And you can make sure Rocky View County’s abandoned horses have enough to eat over the winter by making a donation to Cochrane’s Free Spirit Sanctuary, which is in urgent need of hay. There are plenty of ways to give back this holiday season, and we’re hoping all County residents contribute wherever and however they can.
