Christmas, a holiday in December celebrated by most Americans, isn’t the only wintertime celebration in town – even if the red and green surrounding us can make it feel that way. America being a land of many peoples and faiths, there’s also Yule / Winter Solstice, Kwanzaa, and of course, Hanukkah.
This beautiful holiday is here once more, and Kingston Design Remodeling wants to wish you warmth and happiness.
The things that might first come to mind when thinking about Hanukkah are beautiful traditions, fun times with family and friends, the songs, delicious holiday food and – especially if you’re a child – maybe you think about presents, or games you play this time of year.
It’s also a time to think about good works and charity. Most of us reading this are lucky enough to have a home as we enter the coldest time of year. But not everybody is so fortunate.
Big national charities get a lot of support and donations. Maybe you’d like to focus your holiday giving a little closer to home. In case you didn’t already have a favorite cause to champion, we thought we’d take a moment and share a few names of great local organizations that help provide care and shelter to area homeless people. We’ve checked each of these groups through Charity Navigator to ensure trustworthiness.
Doorways For Women and Families works in Northern Virginia to end family homelessness and domestic violence.
Alternative House in Dunn Loring, VA provides shelter for kids with no family support.
SOME (So Others Might Eat) serves the homeless and needy in Washington, DC, offering immediate services like shelter and medical care, but also longer-term solutions, such as mental health services and employment training.
Miriam’s Kitchen is also on the mission of shelter for everyone. They ask, for example, that you “Give $20.15 to end veteran homelessness in 2015.”
And in Southwest Baltimore, MD, Paul’s Place offers support, emergency food, employment training, health and wellness and many other programs to people in need there.
We know, we know – “Giving Tuesday” was last week. Well, there’s eight days to Hanukkah. Maybe we can give on more than one day, right?
As mentioned above, we’re lucky to have our lovely homes and enough to eat. Hanukkah is a great time to help others around us attain the same things. It’s a way for us to shine our lights outward to the world, just as the flames of the menorah illuminate both without and within.
“Hanukkah Sameach!” from the Kingston Family to yours. May you celebrate the days to come in light and warmth.
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