Guess what New Yorkers don’t need: More stuff. And since a wish-list comprised of plain white socks, Gap briefs and fancy conditioner doesn’t fly with the in-laws, maybe our holiday lists, be they “wish” or “shopping,” should be comprised of the intangibles. You know, goodwill, brotherly love, necessities of life for our fellow human beings (or animals). Whatever Charlie Brown might put on his list. How many mirco-planes can your sister-in-law really use? And re-gifting is dangerous because by now the post-it identifying the giver of that scarf you hate is long gone and you will inevitably give it back to the wrong person. Here is a gift that will make everyone happy. No wrong sizes, no lost gift receipts, no panic-induced lapses in taste. Your recipients will feel that they have contributed something worthwhile to the world and they’ll learn about a cool charity. You will get to polish that halo while doing all your shopping online. Better yet, give your time, both to a charity and to your friend or family member. Volunteer together, help some people, make some memories. I’m pretty sure that is a better gift than those nesting bowls from the Met Gift shop.
Below is a short list of some awesome, mostly local charities, a quick explanation and then their mission statements. Many of these will happily accept your money or your time. Of course, giving to your local public library, police department or fire department, or giving memberships to museums, private libraries or botanic gardens are all great options too.
826 NYC A free drop-in tutoring center started by Dave Eggers as the Brooklyn outpost of his San Francisco effort, volunteer your time or your cash (or do some holiday shopping at the companion Superhero Supply Store). “826NYC is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting students ages 6-18 with their creative and expository writing skills, and to helping teachers inspire their students to write. Our services are structured around our belief that great leaps in learning can happen with one-on-one attention and that strong writing skills are fundamental to future success. With this in mind we provide drop-in tutoring, field trips, after-school workshops, in-schools tutoring, help for English language learners, and assistance with student publications. All of our free programs are challenging and enjoyable, and ultimately strengthen each student’s power to express ideas effectively, creatively, confidently, and in his or her individual voice.”
City Harvest In order for anyone to succeed, their basic needs must be met. Give food, time or money. In this season of overindulgence, let’s reset the balance. “City Harvest is and always has been the New York City community’s response to hunger. We link the food industry and countless organizations, foundations, corporations and private citizens together to help feed their hungry neighbors. City Harvest helps feed the more than one million New Yorkers who face hunger each year.”
Lulu and Leo Fund Help kids get creative! “The Lulu & Leo Fund fosters self-expression and healing for children and communities facing adversity through programs that create meaningful engagement with the arts and other creative endeavors.”
Heifer International Give the gift of livestock to a family or town in need. Haven’t you always wanted to say, “I got you a water buffalo for Christmas.” “We empower families to turn hunger and poverty into hope and prosperity – but our approach is more than just giving them a handout. Heifer links communities and helps brings sustainable agriculture and commerce to areas with a long history of poverty. Our animals provide partners with both food and reliable income, as agricultural products such as milk, eggs and honey can be traded or sold at market. When many families gain this new sustainable income, it brings new opportunities for building schools, creating agricultural cooperatives, forming community savings and funding small businesses.”
New Yorkers For Children Help some of the 13,000 kids in the NYC foster care system. “New Yorkers For Children (NYFC) works in partnership with the Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) to improve the prospects of children supported by the child welfare system and to engage New Yorkers in that effort. With a focus on young people in foster care, NYFC supports programs that promote paths to stable adulthood through education and sustainable relationships with caring adults.”
Little Essentials Donate your time, money or your gently worn baby gear. “Little Essentials is a community-based organization in Brooklyn that helps keep families together by providing free baby and toddler (to age 4) clothing, gear, toys and other essential items to Brooklyn children living in poverty. Little Essentials – Helping our littlest in BIG ways!”
The Osborne Association Help currently and formerly incarcerated people and their families. “This charity offers opportunities for individuals who have been in conflict with the law to transform their lives through innovative, effective, and replicable programs that serve the community by reducing crime and its human and economic costs. We offer opportunities for reform and rehabilitation through public education, advocacy, and alternatives to incarceration that respect the dignity of people and honor their capacity to change.”
The Center: The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center Help this center thrive. It’s been providing services, support and a gathering space for the LGBT community for the last 30 years. “The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center is at the heart of the LGBT community in New York City, providing quality health and wellness programs in a welcoming space that fosters connections and celebrates our cultural contributions. The Center provides a secure place to come together and plan, share knowledge and expertise, and to shape our future as a vibrant community in New York and around the world.”
Badass Brooklyn Animal Shelter For the canine inclined. “Badass Brooklyn Animal Rescue is an all volunteer network of rescuers, fosters and volunteers who work together to rescue, rehabilitate and find homes for sweet, loving, adoptable dogs from pounds in the rural south. The dogs we rescue are in danger of imminent death as they are on the kill lists at very high volume, high kill pounds.”
NYC Feral Cat Initiative For the feline inclined. “The New York City Feral Cat Initiative (NYCFCI) is a program of the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals that is committed to solving NYC’s feral cat overpopulation crisis through the humane, non-lethal method of Trap-Neuter-Return, or TNR for short.”
Prospect Park Alliance Sometimes the fight for the environment starts in your own backyard, or since you’re backyard is the loading bay of Arrow linens, or possibly a hubcap graveyard, it can start in your local park. “The Prospect Park Alliance partners with the City of New York and the community to make Prospect Park the beautiful place Brooklynites know and love. We care for the natural environment, preserve historic design, provide facilities, and host events, programs, and activities throughout the year for all New Yorkers.”