Giving of Yourself to Great Causes Makes the Season Bright

During all of the festivities, take some time to honor the true meaning of the season by reaching out to those who really need some holiday cheer:

• Make a difference in a child's life by participating in Miami-Dade Transit's 12th annual toy drive. From December 8 -12, 2008, bring a new, unwrapped toy to one of nine Metrorail stations.
• Help make a sick child's holiday special by donating an unwrapped gift or monetary donation to help bring joy to children currently at the Miami Children's Hospital Oncology Unit.
• Mayor Carlos Alvarez will be hosting a toy drive in the lobby of the Stephen P. Clark Center on Friday, December 19, at 11 a.m to benefit The Society of St. Vincent Paul and The Children & Youth Life Foundation. There will also be a collection box on the 29th floor. Gifts should be unwrapped and in new condition. For more information contact Carolina Sivoli at 305-375-3615.
• Come celebrate the holidays at Miami-Dade Animal Services' annual Home for the Holidays Adoption Party, Dec. 7, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Be a Santa Paws and take home one of the furry bundles of joy and save a life. Your donations of dog and/or cat toys are greatly appreciated. Refreshments for humans will be served!
• You finally got that hot new phone you've been wanting? Why not put your old one to good use by donating it to the Dial-a-Life program? Your used phone can help save the life of a person in need.
• Do you have some non-perishible items in your cupboard that didn't make it to your holiday feast? Why not take them to the food bank and help keep a needy family from going hungry during the holidays?
• Make the holidays more meaningful by making a difference in a child's future. The Miami-Dade Child Advocate department offers a number of ways you can contribute your time and talents to a needy child, including becoming a mentor to a child and even becoming a foster parent.
• If you want to give back to your community but don't know how, the Miami-Dade Community Action Agency has a number of volunteer programs that can benefit from your desire to help.