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Tis’ the season for giving… St. Louis needs YOU

By: Robin Anderson | 11/20/2008

Twelve thousand seven hundred fifty-two. That's the number of the "neediest, most troubled families in St. Louis," as categorized by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. According to the article "Families' plight stirs aid for thousands," the number of families in this stack is up by 1,000 from last year, and it has been increasing every year for the past four.

During these slow economic times, the cash-flow to many charities is on the decline. However, not everyone is scaling back donations this year. Here are just a few examples of how local businesses and individuals continue to help: 

• During its recent annual fundraising campaign, the United Way raised $68.4 million to exceed its campaign goal because of the contributions of 200,000 individuals from across the St. Louis area.
• Donors of the University of Missouri gave a record-breaking $160.5 million during the 2008 fiscal year, thanks to a 109 percent increase in individual donations and an increase of 79 percent from corporate donors.
• In September, Boeing delivered a tractor trailer filled with 60,000 supplies to KidSmart for the organization's annual school supply drive. But these efforts make up only a portion of the $5 million in charitable contributions and 15,000 employee volunteer hours the company has pledged to the St. Louis community in 2008.

But these generous contributions can't even begin to cover all of the St. Louisans in need this holiday season. For those of you who, like this recent college grad, have not yet accrued millions of dollars to donate to local charities, here are a few of the many options for volunteering your time in the upcoming weeks:

• The Intercommunity Housing Association, a transitional housing center for families who are experiencing homelessness, is seeking volunteers to assist with the organization's Tenant Thanksgiving Dinner held on Thursday, Nov. 20 from 3 to 8 p.m. Volunteers can help at any time during the event by setting up, serving dinner, visiting with tenants and cleaning up afterward. For more information, contact Donna Moramarco at 314-664-6811 or by e-mail .
• The Foster and Adoptive Care Coalition is in need of volunteers for its "Holiday Wishes Shopping Extravaganza Day" held on Saturday, Dec. 6 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Wal-Mart on S. Lindbergh in Kirkwood. Approximately 100 volunteers are needed to work in shifts to explain the program to shoppers, help shoppers locate "wish" items, collect donated items and provide shoppers with thank-you notes and tax-deduction letters. To sign up, contact Shelley Thomas-Benke at 314-367-8373, or visit www.foster-adopt.org.
• Cardinal Ritter Institute - St. Elizabeth Hall Assisted Living Home would like a group of five to 10 volunteers to sing Christmas carols and distribute gifts to residents during its Christmas party held on Dec. 17 at noon. To volunteer for this opportunity, contact Kelly Ethington at 314-961-8000 ext. 347, or visit http://cardinalritterseniorservices.org/.
• St. Vincent Home for Children is seeking volunteers to wrap gifts/toys, help decorate and assemble Christmas Trees, bake cookies with residents and assist in decorating the auditorium. For more information, contact Candice Nenninger at 314-261-6011 ext. 124, or visit http://www.saintvincenthome.org/.

Regardless of how you choose to spend your time and money this holiday season, just remember - twelve thousand seven hundred fifty-two is a large number, and it's only the tip of the iceberg.

Posted in Community Assistance