Give Back this Holiday Season!

The holiday season is always a special time, leading people to feel even more encouraged to give back to their community and help those who are not as fortunate.

Christmas is right around the corner, and listed below are plenty of ways you can make a lasting impact on those who need some extra help this season.

Holiday cards for sick children and their families – sending a handmade or virtual holiday card to sick children who will spend their holidays in the hospital is a great way to spread joy and happiness and show your support in their fight. Here are a few organizations who work with children's hospitals around the country to send holiday cards:

• Cards for Hospitalized Kids
• CARDZ FOR KIDZ
• St. Jude Children's Research Hospital – Holiday Cheer
  

The Salvation Army's Christmas Program – Donations collected through the Christmas Program help put presents under the tree for children who would otherwise go without them. It also provides food, shelter and utility assistance to those who need it most not only during the holidays, but every day of the year. Below are ways you can donate to the Christmas Program.

• Adopt an Angel – The Angel Tree Program puts new clothes and toys under the tree for children who, without this program, would likely go without presents on Christmas morning. To find your local Walmart Angel Tree Registry, click here.
• Make a donation to your local homeless shelter, food pantry or help someone with rent and utility assistance by clicking here.

Toys for Tots – Coordinated by the Marine Corps Reserve, the Toys for Tots programs deliver joy and messages of hope to millions of disadvantaged children during the holidays. Different ways to donate can be found below.

• Donate a Toy – Find your local Marine Toys for Tots chapter to get details about toy donations and drop-off locations by clicking here.
• Donate to one of the outreach programs – Toys for Tots not only helps underserved families during the holidays. They serve year-round through many programs like the foster care initiative, the Youth Ambassador program and the Toys for Tots Literacy Program. To donate to one or many of their programs, click here.

Here in Indiana, we are known for our "Hoosier Hospitality," which always becomes even more evident around the holiday season with all the ways people can give back. Helping your neighbors who are not as fortunate goes a long way, and you never know just how much your donation could help someone in need.

The Senate Republican caucus highly values the gift of giving during the holidays, which is why they encourage all Hoosiers to get out, help those who need it and make an impact that will last in their community.