With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
9 Ways To Give Back During The Holidays That Don't Feel Played Out
This picture taken on December 14, 2018, shows a general view of the Manege square outside the Kremlin in Moscow decorated with festive lights for the upcoming holidays. (Photo by Mladen ANTONOV/AFP/Getty Images)
()
Jk, giving back never goes out of style.
Last week, we gave you some ideas for gifts that have a uniquely L.A. bent. But perhaps you're feeling altruistic this year and want to add giving back to your community to your list of holiday to-do's.
Here are some ways to share the spirit locally:
1. Donate a book to kids in need
According to the Public Policy Institute of California, 19.9 percent of children in the Golden State lived in families who couldn't make ends meet in 2016. Better With Books provides age-appropriate literature to just such kids -- sign up to help them set up their holiday book drive on Dec. 23, or donate some of your favorite kids' reading materials.
Support for LAist comes from
2. Host a donation party for baby items
Want to give back to the littlest guys this season? Host a donation party through Baby2Baby, which gathers items for infants, kids and families.
3. Buy a gift for a differently abled Angeleno
Hope House for the Multiple Handicapped Inc. helps people with co-occurring autism, intellectual disabilities and mental health issues. Their residents have compiled a wish list for the holidays with gifts ranging from dominos to a fedora hat to a body pillow, and you can purchase and send one directly.
4. Help a rescued pit bull
Pitties are still among the breeds most commonly dropped off at shelters, and it's no different here in L.A. Consider donating to Angel City Pit Bulls, which helps to rehab the loving animals and find them forever homes.
5. Provide underserved L.A. kids with toys
The Los Angeles Fire Department and ABC7 have partnered to put on a toy drive for kids in need. Spark of Love needs financial donations and toys, which can be dropped off at your local fire station.
6. Assist sick children from low-income families
Children's Hospital Los Angeles provides a way for you to give to kids whose families are facing financial hardships, but who may be suffering from acute or chronic illness.
7. Toys for Tots: a list of locations
Toys for Tots is one of the largest opportunities to give toys to children whose families can't otherwise afford them. Click here for a list of where you can drop off donations locally.
8. Adopt-A-Family for the holidays
Families Forward Learning Center lets you give gifts and a holiday meal for a whole family. They provide services to low-income folks in Pasadena with young kids.
Support for LAist comes from
9. Put your art to work
The Art of Elysium pairs artists with communities or individuals in need, bringing the healing power of art as far and wide as possible. Donate your time, your talent or your money to help keep these programs going.
Don't see what you want here? Check out our list of ongoing efforts to help victims of the Woolsey fire, or read up at Big Sunday for a looong list of other ways to give this holiday season.
Hey, thanks. You read the entire story. And we love you for that. Here at LAist, our goal is to cover the stories that matter to you, not advertisers. We don't have paywalls, but we do have payments (aka bills). So if you love independent, local journalism, join us. Let's make the world a better place, together. Donate now.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
What do stairs have to do with California’s housing crisis? More than you might think, says this Culver City councilmember. -
Yes, it's controversial, but let me explain. -
Doctors say administrator directives allow immigration agents to interfere in medical decisions and compromise medical care. -
The Palisades Fire erupted on Jan. 7 and went on to kill 12 people and destroy more than 6,800 homes and buildings. -
People moving to Los Angeles are regularly baffled by the region’s refrigerator-less apartments. They’ll soon be a thing of the past. -
Experts say students shouldn't readily forgo federal aid. But a California-only program may be a good alternative in some cases.
Best of LAist