Do Good

BIG AND SMALL WAYS TO CHANGE LIVES

By Sara Hall

Every dollar counts — and when it comes to financially supporting philanthropic endeavors, that saying has never been truer. While it may seem that a grand gesture is required to change lives, it doesn’t always take a lot to make a meaningful difference in someone’s life. There are numerous ways to help local nonprofits serve those in need. You can help feed a family, empower young kids or even help miracles come true.

Every donation, big and small, can help make a difference. Check out our list for some wonderful ways to make an impact and change lives during this year’s season of giving.

BUILD A FUTURE

Beyond Blindness (formerly Blind Children's Learning Center) empowers children with visual impairments and other disabilities to achieve their fullest potential. The organization helps prepare kids for a life of independence through early intervention, education and family support. Donations can support life-changing essential services and specialized education to children with visual impairments and other disabilities. It allows them to reach new milestones, from typing their first Braille word to navigating the playground independently for the first time. Holiday contributions provide the tools and skills needed to maximize their full potential. beyondblindness.org IG: @beyondblindness

• $75 covers an individual Braille lesson with credentialed teacher of the visually impaired • $222 covers a full month of education and enrichment services for a student (Braille, low vision modalities, cane training, etc.) • $3,600 covers a full year of weekly education services for students by credentialed specialists • $7,500 covers the full support of a child and their family through the first year of early intervention

EMPOWER A YOUNG GIRL

Girls Inc. of OC aims to inspire girls to be strong, smart and bold by providing holistic, compensatory and intentional programming focusing on STEM, financial literacy, sound body image, healthy relationships and college and career readiness. Contributors are ensuring that today’s girls will continue to have access to the organization’s research-tested and successful programs that keep participants safe, learning and moving forward. Donations help set this in motion, instilling hope and providing the tools and guidance girls need to succeed. girlsinc-oc.org/support/donate-now | IG: @ girlsinc_oc

• $150 funds essential items for 15 College Shower baskets, preparing girls to become college-ready when they head off to their fall or spring semester • $250 helps fund one-on-one mentoring with a trusted

Girls Inc. educator to keep them on track, focused on school and avoid the pitfalls that many young girls face • $500 funds books for 62 elementary school students through the Literacy Lab, a fun, interactive, handson program that supports girls to reach grade-level reading standards by fourth grade • $1,000 funds 22 kindergarten through third-graders with STEM-in-a-bag program supplies, including athome STEM kits, robotics circuitry and STEM-related program incentives to reward participation • $2,500 funds 12 college application fees for College

Bound girls, who often limit the number of colleges that they apply to due to the associated costs • $5,000 will fund online college essay writing classes and coaching to 45 girls so they can submit competitive college applications. • $10,000 will fund 34 participants in Girls Meet the

Workforce, setting them up for future success with comprehensive career and workforce readiness training • $25,000 will fund a full year of SMART (Science,

Math and Relevant Technology) Girls programs for 50 participants, giving them the opportunity to explore content and careers in the areas of engineering, circuitry, biological and life sciences, robotics and cyber security

MAKE MIRACLES HAPPEN

Miracles for Kids helps families with critically ill children fight bankruptcy, homelessness, hunger and depression through monthly financial aid, subsidized housing, food and clothing, and counseling. The organization helps families with these needs so they can focus on the best possible care for their child. By making a gift, supporters are sending a message of hope to families who are emotionally devastated by diseases that don’t discriminate based on age. A donation will help a family immediately. When a family is brought down by the devastation of a critically ill child, contributors help ensure Miracles for Kids is there to pick them back up. miraclesforkids.org/take-action/donate | IG: @ miraclesforkids

• $10 provides one month of cleaning supplies or clean clothes for a family of four • $25 provides two pairs of shoes to a low-income family or a new backpack to a child getting ready for school • $50 provides reliable, monthly internet access, personal care products or new clothing for a family of four • $83.33 provides monthly public transportation for a family of two or monthly dairy, fresh fruit and vegetables • $100 can keep the lights on each month for one family, provide baby wipes for a year or provide running water for two families each month • $500 provides two families with diapers for one year or annual cleaning supplies for one family • $1,000 can provide five kids with school supplies for the year, pay monthly gas bills for 15 families, cover 10 counseling session to four families or feed kids lunch for an entire Surf & Paddle Summer Camp season

FOSTER A CHILD

Orangewood Foundation provides services to current and former foster youth in Orange County to help prepare them for independent adulthood. Staff works with participating youth in four critical areas: health and wellness, housing, life skills and employment, and education. The organization helps meet a broad array of needs, including groceries, transitional housing, life skills workshops and employment leads, schooling and scholarships for college and graduate school. Becoming a resource parent through Orangewood’s Youth Connected Program (YCP) would be an incredible holiday gift and an opportunity to build a relationship with a student while guiding them through their formative years. As a licensed, private resource family agency, YCP works in partnership with Samueli Academy to provide an on-campus dorm and academic assistance to the youth Orangewood serves. Meanwhile, monetary donations help prepare foster and community youth to reach their greatest potential. Every contribution, regardless of the gift level, is critically important to Orangewood’s work. By making a gift, supporters enable the foundation to serve even more youth and show the kids that there are generous individuals in the community who care about their success. orangewoodfoundation.org/ways-to-give | IG: @orangewoodfoundation

• $10 buys a bus pass for one Orangewood youth • $100 pays for a high school graduation expense • $500 pays for a college student’s textbooks for a semester • $1,000 pays for a youth’s one-on-one weekly therapy sessions for three months

FEED A FAMILY

South County Outreach (SCO) aims to end hunger and homelessness in Orange County through services including a food market and a transitional housing program. Donations will instantly go to work, helping to keep Orange County families housed and fed. Gifts also fund programs that stop the cycle of homelessness and prepare clients for secure and stable futures through education, financial literacy, job training and more. As the holiday season kicks off, SCO asks a simple question: What would traditional holiday baking look like without the basic ingredients for cookies? Because milk, eggs and butter expire quickly, they are not regularly stocked at the food pantry. No one should go hungry for the holidays — a donation this season can help SCO clients cook a delicious meal while celebrating togetherness with their loved ones. sco-oc.org/donate | IG: @outreachoc

• $10 will help a child bake two dozen cookies • $25 will provide eight gallons of milk to families in need • $50 will provide a family of four with enough fresh food to make a delicious Thanksgiving feast • $100 will provide 25 seniors with enough milk, eggs and butter for the holiday season • $500 will enable 60 individuals to have a delicious and complete holiday meal • $1,000 will provide 111 households with essential dairy items and eggs