Cheap and Cheerful Charity: Five Great Groups

'Tis the season to share. I feel blessed to have learned about each deserving group from a friend or family member. If you've got some holiday cheer to share, here are five great groups that will gladly take your love (and funds!) and share it well.

1. The Trevor Project

2. Reece's Rainbow

3. The Annika Kelly Strain Foundation

4. Jenna and Patrick's Foundation of Hope

5. Jesuit Volunteer Corps

Here's an idea -- Instead of the typical stocking stuffers, pick a charity above to support and place a note in your loved one's stocking letting them know you donated on their behalf.

Cheap and Cheerful Charity: Saving Sofia

When many people give a little, it can help a lot. Please visit this link to learn about the Sanchez family and their journey to adopt Sofia. We are blessed to call the Sanchez family friends and we thought you might enjoy getting to know them as well.

Cheap and Cheerful Charity: Give a little, help a lot

When my husband and I lived in Washington DC, he worked for the woman who is now serving as the Executive Director of UNICEF. UNICEF is at the front lines of poverty and disaster relief around the world. Support their effort to bring some relief to the Haitian people. Click here to visit the website and donate. Every little bit helps.

Cheap and Cheerful Charity: Halloween Costumes for the Annika Kelly Strain Foundation

My family has been blessed to get to know the Strain family. You can read about them and their Foundation here. In honor of Annika, the Strain family coordinates a Halloween costume closet for young cancer patients at UCSF. Imagine Halloween in the hospital made spectacular with a rack of costumes to choose from and special treats, too.

If you would like to donate a new costume, in any size from infant to teen, mail it to the address below before October 15.

AKS Foundation
130 Funston Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94118

I get about 50 hits on my blog each day. If everyone who reads this donates just one costume, think about the difference we can make for kids who really deserve a fun Halloween. Spread some love. Share your wealth. It will bring a smile to a kid and his or her parents. And that is certainly priceless.