Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, Thursday, November 22, 2012
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Consider donating your money instead of buying gifts elty to Animals Los Angeles says that the majority of their donations come during the holiday season. “A lot of people, especially in the last Whether it is in Sunday school few years, have opted to help othor at home around the kitchen ers (during that time),” she says. table, most of us learned that when Davenport, the senior director of we have more than what we need, development with the SPCALA, we should give to those less fortupoints out that there are many nate. And for the most part, people ways that donating to your favorite around the U.S. do give. According charity instead of giving gifts to to a new study by the Chronicle of your friends and family this year Philanthropy, Americans, on avercan benefit the organization, as age, give 4.7 percent of their discrewell as provide a feeling of good tionary income to charity, donating will. more than $135 billion in 2008 (the “We rely 100 percent on donamost recent IRS tax records availtions,” Davenport says. “It is able for data analysis). important to have support from While the study doesn’t show our local community.” The animal when most of these donations are shelter has several ways that a given, Miriam Davenport of the person can donate. Like most orgaSociety for the Prevention of CruBy ANICA WONG Creators.com
nizations that take donations, the SPCALA has a donation page on their website. They even offer to send out an e-card or a mailed card to a person if you donate money in honor of them. Instead of spending money on toys and clothes that your family and friends might get little joy from, giving money to help the shelter is a win-win for everyone. Davenport says that like other animal shelters, they also accept food, blankets, toys and other items. These objects get put to good use by the more than 3,000 animals that get adopted through SPCALA every year. If you’re not a pet person, there are many other places your generous donation can be put to good
use instead of being used once and thrown away, as many Christmas presents are these days. The Internet has made donating easier than ever. Justgive.org has simplified the process even more by pulling together more than 1.8 million charities into a single database. The cool part about the website? You can give charity gift cards. “You choose the value of the cards; your recipient chooses the charity; their charity receives a donation — everyone wins,” states the website. So instead of buying your mom another sweater, put that money on a GiveNow card, and let her pick the charity to which she’d like to donate. They even let you upload your
own image to personalize your gift cards. If you’re looking to affect a single person this holiday season with your giving, consider sponsoring a child. While it can be overwhelming to think about all of the children in the world who need help, focus on making a difference here at home. According to Save the Children, one in four American kids (or 15 million children) lives in poverty. This organization offers options to sponsor a child in the United States. Your money not only supports that child, but also helps Save the Children to provide literacy, early education and nutritional programs around the country. This year could be the year that you give back instead of just giving.
18405059 11-22-12
29th Annual
Gingerbread House Contest SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15 • CARLSON CENTER Contest Rules
• Entries must have major components such as walls and roofs constructed of gingerbread (not graham crackers, cookies, etc.) • Entries must have been constructed in 2012. • Electrical outlets will NOT be available; please keep this in mind when designing your entry. • There are no size limitations; however, if your display does not fit on a 30”x6’ oblong or 72” round table, please call Pam Pearson, 459-7548, no later than 4:00 p.m., Nov. 28, to make special arrangements. All entries must be mounted on a sturdy base. • Entries will be received between 8:30 and 9:30 a.m. Open to the public for viewing from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Vote for your favorite entries until 2:30 p.m. Winners will be announced at 3:15 p.m. Entries must be picked up between 3:30 and 4:00 p.m.
Contest Divisions
• Adult (age 17 & older) • Juniors (ages 12-16) • Youth (under age 12) • Group (2 or more people of any age) • Children’s Group (2 or more people, all under age 12) • Prizes will be awarded for first place in each division.
You be the judge!
For more information, call Pam Pearson, 459-7548 or ppearson@newsminer.com
21402587-11-22-12HGG
Winners in the five divisions will be determined by viewer voting, with overall grand champion selected by the Daily News-Miner Gingerbread House Committee.