Give Thanks: Deserving Causes to Consider
Care and compassion are the watchwords of the holidays, and nonprofits are our number one favorite thing because they’re powered by kindness and fueled by you. Lift them up and celebrate their hard work this season by showing some love with your time, your goods, or a generous donation.
Henry David Thoreau once wrote, “Goodness is the only investment that never fails.” Hands4Hope—a youth-driven outreach program focused on community projects, leadership, and school-based clubs for kids of all ages (grades K-12)—is making the smart investment in our future. Invest in their cause by becoming a participant, donating materials, or making a monetary contribution. hands4hopeyouth.org/donate
Wildfires continue to ravage our region, including this year’s Mosquito Fire. Help assist those who were impacted by the blazes by donating to the Placer Community Foundation’s Fire Relief Fund (placercf.org/relief) or El Dorado Community Foundation’s Mosquito Fire Fund (edcf.fcsuite.com/erp/donate).
Show some love to the pooches of Foothill Dog Rescue of the Sierras, a nonprofit that rehomes dogs from high-kill shelters and from owners who can no longer care for them. How can you help? Adopt or foster a rescue dog, become a volunteer, and donate supplies (dog food, bedding, toys, crates, collars, leashes) or money. foothilldogrescue.org/make-a-donation
Give the promise of a future to those who have come out on the other side by supporting Compassion Planet, an organization that empowers aged-out foster youth and those from at-risk backgrounds to achieve independence, overcome personal obstacles, and reach their fullest potential. Volunteer to become a counselor, maintain their Deer Creek Farm garden, assist at one of their many events throughout the year, become a sponsor, or make a monetary donation. compassionplanet.org/get-involved
Four-legged love is forever. Animal Outreach of the Mother Lode serves thousands of cats, kittens, dogs, and rabbits every year through their low-cost spay and neuter services, vaccine clinic, and shelter. Help them out by adopting a pet from their shelter, donating much-needed items, or volunteering to clean and/or assist with kennel care. animaloutreach.net/ways-to-support-us
The team at Snowline Hospice are actual holiday angels, tirelessly giving care to our chronically ill and end-of-life community members, and we love them for it. Show your love by becoming a patient care volunteer, donating used items, or volunteering at one of their thrift stores. snowlinehospice.org/help/volunteer-services
Our region’s food banks need even more assistance this time of year. Donate non-perishable and canned goods, volunteer, or make a monetary contribution to Twin Lakes Food Bank (twinlakesfoodbank.org), Placer Food Bank (placerfoodbank.org), Food Bank of El Dorado County (foodbankedc.org), or the Upper Room Dining Hall (upperroomdininghall.org/volunteer).
We’re thankful for the Herculean efforts of those dedicated to protecting survivors of abuse in our community, like Stand Up Placer. This organization empowers survivors and educates communities to stand up to domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. Show them your support by volunteering for direct service like phone counseling, volunteering for indirect service like fundraising, working in their thrift store, or donating online. standupplacer.org/i-want-to-help
Hearts Landing Ranch
Horses are where the heart is. Hearts Landing Ranch offers equine-assisted therapy to individuals and families for a variety of mental health concerns, from anxiety and depression to PTSD, trauma, grief, and beyond. Help the cause by making a one-time (or monthly) donation or adopting a horse, and becoming an “equine counselor.” heartslandingranch.com
Hands4Hope
Henry David Thoreau once wrote, “Goodness is the only investment that never fails.” Hands4Hope—a youth-driven outreach program focused on community projects, leadership, and school-based clubs for kids of all ages (grades K-12)—is making the smart investment in our future. Invest in their cause by becoming a participant, donating materials, or making a monetary contribution. hands4hopeyouth.org/donate
Wildfires continue to ravage our region, including this year’s Mosquito Fire. Help assist those who were impacted by the blazes by donating to the Placer Community Foundation’s Fire Relief Fund (placercf.org/relief) or El Dorado Community Foundation’s Mosquito Fire Fund (edcf.fcsuite.com/erp/donate).
Show some love to the pooches of Foothill Dog Rescue of the Sierras, a nonprofit that rehomes dogs from high-kill shelters and from owners who can no longer care for them. How can you help? Adopt or foster a rescue dog, become a volunteer, and donate supplies (dog food, bedding, toys, crates, collars, leashes) or money. foothilldogrescue.org/make-a-donation
Give the promise of a future to those who have come out on the other side by supporting Compassion Planet, an organization that empowers aged-out foster youth and those from at-risk backgrounds to achieve independence, overcome personal obstacles, and reach their fullest potential. Volunteer to become a counselor, maintain their Deer Creek Farm garden, assist at one of their many events throughout the year, become a sponsor, or make a monetary donation. compassionplanet.org/get-involved
Animal Outreach of the Mother Lode
Four-legged love is forever. Animal Outreach of the Mother Lode serves thousands of cats, kittens, dogs, and rabbits every year through their low-cost spay and neuter services, vaccine clinic, and shelter. Help them out by adopting a pet from their shelter, donating much-needed items, or volunteering to clean and/or assist with kennel care. animaloutreach.net/ways-to-support-us
The team at Snowline Hospice are actual holiday angels, tirelessly giving care to our chronically ill and end-of-life community members, and we love them for it. Show your love by becoming a patient care volunteer, donating used items, or volunteering at one of their thrift stores. snowlinehospice.org/help/volunteer-services
Twin Lakes Food Bank
Our region’s food banks need even more assistance this time of year. Donate non-perishable and canned goods, volunteer, or make a monetary contribution to Twin Lakes Food Bank (twinlakesfoodbank.org), Placer Food Bank (placerfoodbank.org), Food Bank of El Dorado County (foodbankedc.org), or the Upper Room Dining Hall (upperroomdininghall.org/volunteer).
Placer Food Bank
We’re thankful for the Herculean efforts of those dedicated to protecting survivors of abuse in our community, like Stand Up Placer. This organization empowers survivors and educates communities to stand up to domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. Show them your support by volunteering for direct service like phone counseling, volunteering for indirect service like fundraising, working in their thrift store, or donating online. standupplacer.org/i-want-to-help
Stand Up Placer
by Sharon Penny
Hearts Landing Ranch photo by Image Outfitters Photography. Hands4Hope photo courtesy of Hands4Hope. Twin Lakes Food Bank photo courtesy of Jordana Warner and Tammy Simmons. Other photos courtesy of their respective companies or organizations.