Holiday Help for the Homeless!

My brother, Zach, and I last Christmas.

Hello my lovely readers! I know this isn't a typical post, however it is one of the utmost importance! It's already December 3rd (I know, I know. Where has this year gone?) and the holiday season is quickly approaching, however unfortunately not everyone has the means to celebrate, or even to be comfortable, warm, and fed. 

Luckily, there are many programs for young ones to be able to enjoy the holidays such as the Angel Tree toy collection and Toys for Tots (which are great, and if you have the means you should absolutely consider donating!) but unfortunately, the adults sometimes get overlooked and forgotten. According to the New Beginnings of Central Florida, over 75,000 people are homeless in our state, 10,000 of these individuals being located in central Florida, many of these being adults that typically don't get the same attention that homeless youth receive. 

So what can we do about this?

Around the holiday season especially, it is important to my brother and I that we ensure that everyone feels loved, and knows they're not alone, and can enjoy the holiday season. That is why on Saturday, December 17th we will be passing out Gift Bags that we are going to make, to homeless people in and around our area. Our hope for the gift bags is that they will include things like food, blankets and socks, stuffed animals and treats. We have volunteered on Thanksgiving Day in the past, with the Salvation Army, and they have handed out stuffed animals to some of the adults, who absolutely loved it. Weather it be for the warmth, the companionship, or it just brightens their day it was a huge hit!

My brother and I plan to purchase as much as we can for the gift bags ourselves, however we are both students and funds can be tight. We won't be able to help as much as we want to on our own.

So what can I do?

Well, I'm so glad you asked! We're taking donations from anyone willing to help. You can donate new or gently used items, or donate financially to our GoFundMe, which you can view HERE, if you are too far away to donate physical items. If you wish to send or arrange for items to be picked up, please email me at jl.whitacre@yahoo.com and we can arrange something. 

What types of items should I donate?

The types of items we're looking for to be put in the bags include:

• Food items such as: crackers or chips, candies, packaged cookies or brownies, jerky. Anything that doesn't need to be heated up, and won't go bad extremely quick.
• Hygiene items such as: soap, wipes, deodorant, pads and tampons for women, hairbrushes or combs, bandaids, chapstick, etc.
• Warmth and comfort items such as: stuffed animals, blankets or pillows, socks or jackets, etc
• Or other items could include: small gift cards to places to eat such as subway or Mcdonald's, water bottles or Gatorade, vitamins or things like Advil or cough drops.
• Or you can donate things like tissue paper, bows, and gift bags, Christmas cards or hand drawn pictures and notes to help make the bags look and feel special! 

Thank you all in advance for your kindness and compassion toward our fellow human beings and for helping us, to help someone have a better holiday season.