Christmas WS's!
What better way to get yourself and your kids into the spirit of the Season than giving? If you’re struggling for some ideas on charities to get involved with, here are K5 Learning’s top picks for the Season.
Kiva
Let’s start with K5 Learning’s favorite charity; in fact, we’ve created a K5 Kiva group and we invite you to join us in helping hard working people in developing countries build their businesses. That’s exactly what Kiva does – through a worldwide network of microfinance institutions, Kiva lets individuals lend as little as $25 to help create opportunity around the world.
Kiva has funded over $262 million in loans in 61 different countries. 82% of the loads are to women, many of whom are working hard to build a better future for their kids. This involves the opportunity to send their kids to school and this is where we saw a connection.
As these are loans, you will be paid back and given the opportunity to re-lend the money. 98% of the loans are fully repaid by the borrowers.
Visit Kiva’s site to learn about how it works and how you can support them.
Heifer International
Heifer International is dedicated to help build third-world communities in a sustainable way. Through their gift catalog you can donate money towards a farm animal – to donate a Heifer cow for example would need you to raise $500 – or you can raise funds for a project. These gifts affect not this generation, but generations to come.
Read about some of their success stories, they are truly inspiring.
Feeding America
Donate your money, food, or time to help the one out of every five children who live in poverty in the US. An estimated 37 million receive emergency food assistance from Feeding America. Its mission is to feed America’s hungry through a network of food banks. A $45 donation helps feed a family of four for a whole month.
There are a number of ways you can give to Feeding America.
Krochet Kids
This not-for-profit organization, created by three college guys who crochet for a hobby, provides fair-wage crocheting jobs for women in Northern Uganda. These women sell their handmade items online and in stores, such as Nordstroms. The profits from their sales go towards supporting 150 artists and their families.
So, if you are looking for great Christmas presents for friends and family, perhaps consider buying some crocheted hats?
The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army has so many initiatives all year round, we wanted to bring their Seasonal Angel Tree program to your attention. This program brings gifts to children who would otherwise not receive any presents. It’s been expended to an online program to help others in need and last year, nearly 70,000 children and seniors in need were “adopted” online alone.
First Book
Last but not least, a donation of $10 will buy 4 new books for children in low-income households from the non-for-profit organization First Book. This organization distributes over 35,000 books per day to kids throughout North America and it maintains partnerships with 25,000 programs.
It’s easy to donate online or if you'd rather donate your time, they are looking for volunteers and fundraisers who are willing to do their holiday buying for a good cause.
Happy giving!
