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Christmas Charities 2024
I love to spread Christmas cheer throughout the year.
But sometimes even I need help!
That is when I look to Christmas charities for help with Christmas.
Here are charities seeking donations or looking to help people.
Please donate, volunteer, fundraise or contact these Christmas assistance programs for help.
Just tell them Santa sent you!
- Santa Claus
There are many charitable organizations to help families and their children who are struggling at Christmas and through the year. Below are links to some of these charities.
As well, your local mayor's office or library may know about other non-profits and Christmas assistance programs near you that can help with Christmas.
These Christmas charity organizations are all here to help make children's Christmas memories fond ones. Please contact these charities right away for donations or volunteering.
Also, if you need help, contact the charities as soon as possible. Many charities have deadlines several weeks before Christmas.
Before you make Christmas donations, it is always a good idea to check out the charity at websites like Charity Watch. (Where possible, a charity watchdog is listed for each country).
These charities accept Christmas donations from around the world. They provide charity Christmas gifts and cheer to children and families globally at Christmas and, in some cases, around the year as well.
ALTERNATIVE GIFTS INTERNATIONAL:
Alternative Gifts International is a non-profit organization which inspires support for humanitarian and environmental causes.
We offer donors the option to designate charitable gifts through carefully selected agencies in the name of their relatives, friends and associates.
Alternative Gifts International website
MENNONITE CENTRAL COMMITTEE:
What better gifts can you give this Christmas than goats, peacebuilding knowledge, seeds, school supplies or a well of clean drinking water? Through Mennonite Central Committee’s (MCC) Christmas Giving program, you can give gifts like these to help some of the world’s most vulnerable people in the name of your friend or family member.
Mennonite Central Committee website
OXFAM:
Oxfam's vision is a just world without poverty. We want a world where people are valued and treated equally, enjoy their rights as full citizens, and can influence decisions affecting their lives.
Oxfam website
PLAN INTERNATIONAL:
Plan International works with, for and on behalf of girls and boys and their communities in 52 countries to address immediate and long-term needs, to help secure lasting changes in their lives.
Plan International website
RED CROSS:
The Red Cross responds quickly and efficiently to help people affected by armed conflict. We also respond to disasters in conflict zones, because the effects of a disaster are compounded if a country is already at war. Emergencies are unpredictable, so our rapid deployment capability is hugely important.
Red Cross website
SAMARITAN'S PURSE - Operation Christmas Child:
The mission of Operation Christmas Child is to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way to needy children around the world, and together with the local church worldwide, to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. Take an ordinary shoe box, fill it with toys and other presents, and you have an extraordinary gift for a child in need of joy and hope.
Operation Christmas Child website
SAVE THE CHILDREN:
Save the Children invests in childhood – every day, in times of crisis and for our future. Around the world, we give children a healthy start, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. By transforming children's lives now, we change the course of their future and ours.
Save the Children website
TOYBOX:
One thing that all children in developed nations should be taught during the holiday season is that even if their own family is struggling, there are children in other parts of the world that don't even have food to eat. While it’s hard to go with no presents during the holidays, most kids understand that they’re lucky to have a roof over their heads and warm food to eat. When you look at what amazing organizations like the UK based ToyBox do for children across the world – it’s enough to warm your heart four times over.
ToyBox website
WORLD VISION:
World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. Motivated by our faith in Jesus Christ, we serve alongside the poor and oppressed as a demonstration of God’s unconditional love for all people.
World Vision website
Christmas Help 2024 near you
These charities tend to operate within their own country.
The listing for each country begins with a link to a charity watchdog for that country. These links will help give an independent assessment.
Australia
Australian Charity Watchdog: The Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC).
THE KMART WISHING TREE/SALVATION ARMY : The Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal helps everyone. We receive a lot of gifts for children, but we also distribute gifts for everyone that might be having a hard time. Thanks to our Appeal partners The Salvation Army and Mission Australia, everyone including adults and seniors are assisted by the Wishing Tree Appeal.
Visit the The Kmart Wishing Tree/Salvation Army website to donate.
THE PYJAMA FOUNDATION: At The Pyjama Foundation, we provide children in foster care the opportunity to change the direction of their lives with learning, life skills and confidence. Every year the Pyjama Foundation also hosts Christmas Parties throughout Queensland, Sydney and Melbourne to help the kids in their program.
Visit the The Pyjama Foundation website to volunteer, donate or refer a child.
THE SMITH FAMILY: Your gift of a new toy or books will bring a smile to a disadvantaged child’s face this Christmas. Sadly, thousands of Aussie kids will go without receiving a gift this holiday season simply because their families can't afford it. This year, with your help, The Smith Family aim to deliver over 43,500 new toys and 29,000 new books to children in need around Australia.
Visit the The Smith Family website to donate.
Canada
Canadian Charity Watchdog: Charity Intelligence.
CHILDREN'S WISH: The Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada works with communities across the country to provide children with life threatening illnesses the opportunity to realize their most heartfelt wish. By creating unique, meaningful experiences, Children’s Wish enhances quality of life for these courageous children and their families.
Use the Children’s Wish website to refer a child, volunteer, donate or fundraise.
SALVATION ARMY: Salvation Army units in 400 communities across Canada help individuals and families with the basic necessities of life, such as food, clothing and shelter. Contributions also allow The Salvation Army to continue operating life-changing programs, such as substance abuse recovery, housing supports, job and skills training, budgeting and education classes, which help people find a way out of poverty, permanently. Every donation to a Christmas Kettle remains in the community in which it was given.
Use the Salvation Army website to volunteer, donate or request help.
TOY ANGELS: Several media outlets in the Rogers Media Group run Christmas toy drives. "Take your holiday giving to new heights with TOY ANGELS – helping The Salvation Army making the season merry and bright for the kids!"
Visit a Toy Angels website for more information.
Ireland
Ireland Charity Watchdog: Charities Regulatory Authority.
MAKE-A-WISH IRELAND: Make-A-Wish Ireland has one simple aim - We grant the wishes of children aged between 3 and 17 years living with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. A wish granted is true magic for the child, providing respite from their normal routines of hospitals, doctors and treatment.
Use the Make-A-Wish Ireland website to refer a child, volunteer, donate or fundraise.
SALVATION ARMY: Anyone who comes to The Salvation Army will receive assistance based solely on their need and our capacity to provide help. We work with people who are vulnerable and marginalised across the world, and offer very practical help, unconditional assistance and support regardless of race, religion, gender or sexual orientation.
Use the Salvation Army website to volunteer, fundraise, donate or request help.
United Kingdom
UK Charity Watchdog: GuideStar UK.
CHRISTMAS CARD AID: For over 30 years Card Aid has helped UK and International charities make money from their Christmas cards. Card Aid shops were developed to provide an outlet for charities to sell their Christmas cards to a wider public. Card Aid shops sell charity Christmas cards on behalf of over 200 charities.
Christmas Card Aid website
DONATION4CHARITY: The Donation4Charity.org website is not only one of the best websites to find charities to donate to, but it’s also a great way to discover the charities that may be able to offer your family some help.
Donation4Charity website
SALVATION ARMY: Anyone who comes to The Salvation Army will receive assistance based solely on their need and our capacity to provide help. We work with people who are vulnerable and marginalised across the world, and offer very practical help, unconditional assistance and support regardless of race, religion, gender or sexual orientation.
Use the Salvation Army website to volunteer, fundraise, donate or request help.
United States
U.S. Charity Watchdog: Charity Watch.
ANGEL TREE: Angel Tree is a ministry of Prison Fellowship, delivering love in the form of Christmas gifts and a message of hope to children of prisoners.
Use the Angel Tree website to volunteer or donate.
CHRISTMAS SPIRIT FOUNDATION and TREES FOR TROOPS: The mission of the Christmas Spirit Foundation is to advance the Christmas Spirit for kids, families & the environment through programs & activities.
Use the Christmas Spirit Foundation and Trees For Troops website to donate.
MAKE A WISH AMERICA: Make this holiday season special by helping a child's dream come true. Make a Wish's unique holiday donation options will help grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions.
Use the Make a Wish America website to refer a child, volunteer or donate.
SALVATION ARMY CHRISTMAS ASSISTANCE: The miracle of Christmas is repeated over and over again through the joy of caring and sharing. The traditional red kettle is an integral part of the Christmas scene, with millions of dollars donated each year to aid needy families, seniors, and the homeless. Donations and financial assistance provide Christmas dinners, clothing, and toys for families in need. Volunteers distribute gifts to shut-ins in hospitals and nursing homes, and shelters are open for sit-down dinners. The Salvation Army endeavors to bring spiritual light and love to those it serves at Christmas so that the real meaning of the season is not forgotten. Many families receive aid over a period of months after the Christmas season, as well as people struggling with difficult family, emotional, or employment problems.
Use the Salvation Army website to donate or request help.
TOYS FOR TOTS: The mission of the U. S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is to collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December each year, and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to less fortunate children in the community in which the campaign is conducted. Monetary donations are accepted too.
Use the Toys for Tots website to volunteer, donate or request a toy.