Giving Tuesday - what local charities are on your list?

It's Giving Tuesday, a global day of "giving back" and philanthropy.  

In this spirit, I thought we could share what local non-profits are on your giving list each year. I'd love to learn about more ways to support great work in our community and state!

I'll start with my list, which includes both donations and memberships where applicable: 

Rent Party Backpack Pals

South Orange Rescue Squad

South Orange Public Library

Turtle Back Zoo

Morrow Church

Liam's Room

SOPAC

Mayo Performing Arts Center

Liberty Science Center

Dropped off toys, books and gift cards for the school district's annual holiday toy drive.  Donations can be dropped off at The Parenting Center, 525 Academy St., Maplewood, 3rd floor.

Other local organizations I support:  St. Joe's Food Pantry, Maplewood Library, Achieve Foundation, Youth Net, MMS Beautification Fund, Community Food Bank, Rent Party Backpack Pals, Soccerhood (raises money for immigrant children to play soccer in SoMa), and the South Mountain YMCA.

Columbia High School Cougar Boosters

www.chscougarboosters.org/

Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN) of Essex County, providing shelter and service to homeless families, who often can't fit into the existing shelter system, in part by mobilizing the efforts of congregations all over the county.

http://www.ihnessexnj.org/

Planned Parenthood is under attack and desperately needs our help~!

https://secure.ppaction.org/site/Donation2?df_id=12913&12913.donation=form1&_ga=1.166224189.2048831887.1448998703

Columbia High School Music Parents Association -- give the gift of music to our kids! http://chsmpa.org/

Looking at these suggestions makes me grateful that we live in a caring community that does so much.  I wish I had enough money to make sizable donations to every one.

EBennett said:

Looking at these suggestions makes me grateful that we live in a caring community that does so much.  I wish I had enough money to make sizable donations to every one.

Me too. It's so hard to know if it's better to concentrate my limited funds in one place to make a slightly bigger impact, or spread it out among organizations that are important to me. I opt for the latter usually.

I'll add MEND (Meeting Emergency Needs with Dignity) Food Pantry (which services OLS and St. Joes), and this new but exceptionally worth cause:  http://villagegreennj.com/towns/maplewood/morrow-church-heres-help-maplewood-syrian-refugees/

There is a great saying I try to live by when it comes to charitable giving: "Think global, act local"

The OP lists the South Orange Public Library (which is great!)

I would also add: 

The FRIENDS of the South Orange Public Library - a 501c3 charitable organization. www.friends@sopl.org 

@annesimms, thanks for clarifying!! That is what I meant. Though we do support the library as well with many, many late fees

home for good dog rescue. They're having a bake sale at the Millburn Petsmart on Saturday Dec 5, if anyone wants to donate some baked goods. Starts at 11am

Rotary Foundation

Medecins Sans Frontieres

TarheelsInNj said:

@annesimms, thanks for clarifying!! That is what I meant. Though we do support the library as well with many, many late fees ">

Luckily, you can do one of two things: You can donate directly to the SOPL or to the Friends of the SOPL where they money will also go toward helping the library , just through some specific program development and also through direct donations to various needed events and programs. In other words THANKS THANKS THANKS!!   

Turtle Back Zoo - it's a gem in our midst

Morrow Church

MEND

New Opportunity School for women

Friends of SOPL

Interfaith Food Pantry of the Oranges -- helping hundreds of local families in need every week, with volunteers welcome. 

http://orangesfoodpantry.org/

In addition to those mentioned above, Furry Hearts Rescue.