Thinking of Gift Giving? How About Giving Back?

‘Tis the season Stamford and while most of us go rushing about to get the house decorated, the cookies baked and the gifts bought, there are people, animals and even places that can always use our help. (and not just during the holidays) This year, we decided to post a few ways that we can help out this and every season with either donations or by volunteering.

This is by no means a full list of the area’s organizations and are not in any particular order. There are many that could surely use our help. But at least this is a jumping off point–a ‘starter list’ if you will–to give you some ideas on where you, your family or maybe (if you are a teacher) your class can lend a helping hand to those who need it.

While we humans, for the most part, can find help for ourselves and others, animals have to rely on their human friends when they are sick, lost or looking to find a forever home. Stamford has wonderful places all around the city that do just this. However, they can’t do it alone. Here are three such places that could use donations of money, food, blankets, newspapers, etc to help care for those who cannot care for themselves. (And PLEASE if you are thinking of adopting, don’t just adopt for a gift only to have to give the pet back a few weeks later. If you are planning to adopt–COMMIT.) Stamford Animal Control: http://www.stamfordct.gov/animal-control-center OPIN: Outreach for Pets in Need: http://opinpets.org/ Friends of Felines: http://www.adoptapet.org

Whether it’s food, money or your time, these organizations can really use your help: The Food Bank of Lower Fairfield County: https://www.foodbanklfc.org/ Shelter for the Homeless: http://shelterforhomeless.org/ DOMUS Kids: http://domuskids.org/ Sexual Assault Crisis Center: http://www.thecenter-ct.org/ Salvation Army Stamford: http://ctri.salvationarmy.org/SNE/Stamford

Looking more to donate goods? While these places will also take monetary donations, clothes, furniture, books, etc. are their main goal: Laurel House:

http://www.laurelhouse.net/index.html Ferguson Library: http://www.fergusonlibrary.org/friends/book-shops/donate Backyard Humanitarian: http://www.backyardhumanitarian.com/ Toys for Tots: http://stamford-ct.toysfortots.org/local-coordinator-sites/lco-sites/donate-toys.aspx

How about helping out places around our city? There are so many ways to use your time to help out and it’s also a great way to get outdoors: SoundWaters: http://www.soundwaters.org/ Scalzi Riverwalk: http://www.scalziriverwalk.org/ Mill River Park Collaborative: http://www.millriverpark.org/ East Side Partnership: http://eastsidepartnership.org/support/ Friends of Mianus River Park: http://friendsofmianusriverpark.org/index.htm Cove Island Wildlife Sancutary: https://www.facebook.com/Cove-Island-Wildlife-Sanctuary-156082077767515/?fref=ts

There you go. Again, this is a far cry from a complete list. But hopefully it will get you thinking of ways you can help out your community, your city and how you too can KEEP IT LOCAL STAMFORD!!

A very Happy and Healthy Holiday to all of you. 🙂