Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in Atlanta, GA

I know most of us are scaling back for the holidays.  Maybe Christmas will be a bit lighter at your house?  It will be at ours.  But that's no reason to not spread the holiday spirit.  We still should remember those who are less fortunate and try and make their holidays special too.

It's never too early to Teach our kids about charity and helping others.  Each year we buy a gift for our kids to give to "a little boy who doesn't have any toys."  We've done this every year we've been married, but especially since having kids.  Our boys love to help pick out a toy they think a boy their age would like.  There are lots of great programs out there to donate toys such as Toys for Tots, MUST Ministries, and Cobb Christmas.
 
In addition to toys, clothes are also needed.  Children who show up at shelters or in foster care generally only have the clothes on their backs.  The Pajama Program provides new pajamas and books to children arriving at foster care and emergency shelters.  We're entering the "danger season" as shelters are often cold.  The program collects pajamas, with tags still attached.  For more details see their website.

World Vision Gifts has all sorts of things you can buy for children and families in need.  For $25 you can buy a family two chickens so they can sell the eggs to make money, or eat the eggs and raise their protein level.  For $30 you can buy a brand new backpack and school supplies for one child from a low-income family.  And the gift will keep on giving, providing additional school supplies throughout the academic year.  There are more items on the website.  You will be astounded how far a small donation can go. 

And of course, let's not forget the men and women serving overseas in our Military.  Many will not be able to come home for the holidays.  I'm an Army Brat so this hits close to home.  Some ways to support the troops:  A $10 donation will send a magazine subscription to a US service member; Sponsor-a-Soldier by sending gifts and products that may not be "necessary" but provide entertainment; My Soldier is a pen pal program, send school supplies to soldiers rebuilding schools or just letters and small care packages; to view a wish list from soldiers serving overseas, visit Any Soldier, pick and item and send it to him or her; prepaid phone cards help the troops call home for the holidays; and to send care packages, visit Operation We Care or Troop Care Packages. 

There are lots of places to give.  This is our opportunity to make sure everyone has a special Christmas and our turn to really play Santa and help spread the Christmas Spirit.