Christmas is a time of giving, not just to our loved ones but to the needy and vulnerable as well. Here are 10 ways you can make an impact and brighten up someone else’s Christmas.

Donate Things
1. Donate cash or kind to charities
The Companies Office of Jamaica has a list of registered charities that work to get goods directly to the needy. You can browse in order to give a donation to the one you prefer.

2. Donate clothing, toys, or home essentials to children’s homes
There are 48 residential child care facilities in Jamaica, both publicly and privately owned according to the Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA). These facilities usually welcome personal care items, toys, clothing, food etc. If you can, consider enrichment tools as well including, books and art supplies.

3. Donate hygiene and baby items to your local Women’s Centre
The Women’s Centre of Jamaica Foundation (WCJF) is a government company that supports mothers and expectant mothers including teen and adolescent moms to continue their education. The centre is in need of all things baby including clothing, cereal, formula and more. Clothing for the young mothers is also welcomed, as well as cash because the centre provides a stipend to the young moms for school as well as bus fare and lunches.

Donate Time

4. Help out individuals your community
There are sure to be vulnerable residents in many communities. You can partner with a church or school group to help these individuals, be they elderly, impaired or otherwise. A quick Christmas clean out, a warm meal, or some yard work can make your community members’ Christmas much better.

5. Host a food drive
Not everyone can afford the Christmas delicacies many of us love, hosting a food drive can help bring some yummy food to needy tables. You can partner with local farmers, butchers, wholesales and supermarkets to provide food packages for even a few families. Everything helps!

6. Donate your skills
Whether you’re a carpenter, singer, or graphic designer there’s always someone who could use your particular skills this yuletide season. Whether that means directing the school play, participating in carolling, fixing a roof, repainting the square or giving someone a haircut, we can all use our hands and minds to enrich the Christmas for others.

Donate while shopping:

7. Buy Jamaican
Technological and shipping advancements mean many of us now get our gifts from overseas but before you press the checkout button, consider spending some of your bonus with local artisans, craft workers and creatives. Lots of beautiful items are available in person if you really look. Also consider skipping the imported hams and purchasing from a local butchery, get your peas and potatoes in the market and if you’re considering a vacation, try a Jamaican owned hotel.

8. Patronise the Fontana wishing tree
Residents can make wishes come true for needy children at any Fontana location. There are seven locations all of which now have wishing trees set up filled with the names of children in need. Customers can pick a name from the wishing tree, and purchase a gift for the child at a 20 per cent discount.

9. Leave a Christmas Tip
Whether it’s your nail tech, nurse, local ‘jelly man’, the nice server at your work cafeteria, or the security guard who always greets you so nicely, think of a service provider who makes your day all year and if you can, leave them a Christmas tip, to return some of the love as discreetly and tactfully as you can.

10. Share the magic

It’s likely that charities and outreach activities may miss some people. We can help with filling the gap. Think of someone who you know personally who could use a gift this Christmas and pick up something for them as you shop for family and friends.

You know what they say, what goes around comes around! Everyone gets more when we focus on giving this Christmas