2018 Home for the Holidays

2018 Home for the Holidays LINCOLN DAILY NEWS November 21, 2018 Page 31 Donating hats, coats, and gloves, as well as thermal underwear or blankets to homeless shelters in the nearby cities like Peoria, Springfield, and Bloomington would help shelters supply needs. The shelters are also likely to have need for year-round supplies like paper products and toiletries, especially at the holidays. Consider making up a blessing bag with personal hygiene items and a few snacks to hand out to those in need. Put together a bag with a couple outfits, sippy cups or bottles, and diapers, which the local organization Fostering Grace can give to the Center for Youth and Family Solutions for new foster parents. Choose a name from an Angel Tree and have the family help pick out gifts the child has requested. Donate toys to the “Toys for Tots” foundation, which helps children who have been abused. Pack a shoebox full of gifts for children that Operation Christmas Child will distribute all over the world who otherwise might not get any gifts. Put together a care package to send to a soldier who might not get to be with family at the holidays filled with holiday treats and other items the soldier might not have access to overseas. If you are a pet lover consider taking homemade dog biscuits, cat and dog food, pet toys, or blankets to the Humane Society or Logan County Animal Shelter. These donations along with monetary gifts help provide care for the animals. Give blood if you are eligible. There is more need at the holidays and your donation might help save a life. For families looking for volunteer opportunities, there are various ways to serve. Continued u