The holiday season is a time to give, not only to family, but to the community. There are plenty of charities around the bay, here are a few that you can help!

Pink Hope Club

The pink hope club at Monte Vista works to support the end of breast cancer. They are going to be writing and donating holiday cards to breast cancer patients. They need your help, so stop by room 528 and drop off any extra holiday cards you have!

Adopt-a-Family

In your advisory/homeroom class you should be talking about Adopt-a-Family! Encourage your class to participate in donating gifts. These gifts can change someone’s holidays!

Foster A Dream

Every year for two weeks in December, Foster A Dream opens up a Winter Wonderland. This wonderland is a place just for foster kids to get holiday gifts and have fun with one another. Foster A Dream turns a warehouse into a holiday paradise for all ages! Toys and crafts for the younger children are offered as well as games and other gifts for the older kids. The Winter Wonderland will be opening for its 11th year in a row. You can go onto the Foster A Dream website to fill out a volunteer application, but also you can donate gifts of become a sponsor! See www.fosteradream.org for more details.

Loaves & Fishes

Loaves and Fishes is a nonprofit organization that centers in San Jose. They offer an open kitchen to those who need it year round, but they have special events during the holidays. Shopping days as well as food serving days are in need of volunteers. Volunteers can help prepare and serve the needy.

Blue Star Moms

Blue star moms is an organization that helps the men fighting for our country. Of course our soldiers need our care all year, but the holidays in particular are tough. You can help by donating money or supplies for care packages to soldiers and the working dogs. Also, Blue Star Moms runs what is called Operation Pillowcase. Operation Pillowcase is exactly what it sounds like, its the donation of pillowcases to our soldiers. Fabric and sewing teams are needed to make these pillowcases. They are also making special holiday themes cases! See CCBlueStarMoms.org for more information.