Giving Back

My friend Angie and I have exchanged Christmas gifts every year since we became best friends back in high school. This year we changed things up a bit. We decided that we would take the money that we would normally spend on the other person and donate it to a charity of our choice. It could be to a local non-profit in our community, a national fundraiser like Toys for Tots, or a gift to our local food bank. It didn't have to be much, just a little something. We feel so blessed and fortunate in our lives and thought that maybe, through our friendship, we could make a difference in someone else's world during the holidays. So this year, and for years to come, we will provide for others as our gifts to each other at Christmastime.

Wow, my life has changed already. It's those little good deeds that creep up and get ya!

Angie love animals so this year I decided to donate to the Snake River Animal Shelter. Their mission is to provide quality care and compassion for domestic animals. It's a new facility being built in Idaho Falls to house many animals that would otherwise be euthanized. It will also provide adoption and pet training services. It will be built on the beautiful snake river, a perfect place for the animals!

http://www.snakeriveranimalshelter.org/

Angie choose to donate to the City Light Home for Women and Children in Boise. This facility offers 3 programs for women and children in desperate need of help. This includes a 12 month discipleship/recovery program, transitional apartment housing, and an emergency shelter. Angie wrote me a note telling me she wasn't sure if this was a great place to donate to, until she walked in and heard a woman explaining to staff that her and her 5 year old son were homeless and needed help. That sealed the deal and she donated.

http://www.boiserm.org/facilities-citylight.asp

Like the idea too? Steal it. Others would be thankful you did.