Reviewed by: Sharron Swain
5 ways to make the holidays better for Birmingham neighbors this #GivingTuesday
It’s GivingTuesday and we’re kicking off the season of giving with a few cool ways you can help others this holiday season in Birmingham. Read on to learn how you can make a difference.
What is GivingTuesday?
But first, what is GivingTuesday? This special day takes place every year on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. This year, that day is November 30.
According to the official GivingTuesday website, this special day has one goal: to encourage people to do good.
If you’re looking to “do good” this holiday season, here are some ways to do celebrate GivingTuesday in Birmingham:
1. Donate or volunteer for YWCA Central Alabama’s Santa’s Workshop
Each year, YWCA Central Alabama hosts Santa’s Workshop to help families living in homeless/transitional shelters or those otherwise in need to have a happy holiday season.
This year’s event will be held on Saturday, December 11.
During the event, children get to meet Santa and make gifts and crafts to give to parents, teachers, friends and loved ones while caregivers get to “shop” free toys and other gifts.
How you can help:
- Host a Virtual Toy Drive: Choose a gift from the Santa’s Workshop wish list and have it shipped to YWCA Central Alabama, 309 23rd Street North, by Friday, Dec. 3, 2021.
- Volunteer for the event by emailing Valerie Johnson at vjohnson@ywcabham.org.
- Make an online donation to Santa’s Workshop.
2. Donate to Children’s of Alabama’s Sugar Plum Shop to celebrate GivingTuesday in Birmingham
The Sugar Plum Shop is Children’s of Alabama’s program for in-patients and their families who spend the holidays at the hospital.
Due to COVID-19, staff will not be able to accept in-person gift donations at the hospital. Here’s how you can help this year:
- Visit sugarplumshop.org to view the wishlist or schedule a drop off.
- Find “Children’s of Alabama” on my registry.com.
- Make a monetary donation at childrensal.org/donate
These items are NOT accepted: food/candy, stuffed animals, toys that depict violence, religious items, crocheted/knit items, gently-used or homemade items.
There are many more local nonprofits to support this GivingTuesday and throughout the holiday season. Search our database of over 212 local nonprofits and be sure to add your nonprofit for free.
3. Adopt an Angel with The Arc of Central Alabama
The Arc of Central Alabama homes over 325 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities ranging in age from 12-82. Sadly, 75% of residents do not have an active family member or caregiver in their lives. But you can help.
Here’s how to take part in their Angel Tree program:
Adopt an Angel Online. Shop for an Angel based on age, gender and wish list and donate unwrapped gifts by Monday, December 6.
Adopt an Angel in-person by visiting one of these participating locations:
- Frontera Iron: 3022 3rd Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35233
- Harbin Pharmacy: 57 Church St, Mountain Brook, AL 35213
- Tyner’s Pharmacy: 5616 Chalkville Mountain Rd, Birmingham, AL 35235
4. Give to Community Food Bank of Central Alabama for 2021 GivingTuesday in Birmingham
This GivingTuesday is a wonderful time to show your support for the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama and all they do to feed people in need.
On Tuesday, November 30, they’re teaming up with Wells Fargo who will match each #GivingTuesday gift dollar for dollar up to $10,000. This means your gift will make TWICE the impact on families facing food insecurity.
5. Help families through Angel Tree adoption with The Salvation Army of Greater Birmingham
The Salvation Army of Greater Birmingham strives to help families in need during Christmas. One way they do this is through Angel Tree adoption. Here’s how you can participate and bring a little bit of magic to a local family this holiday season:
- Adopt an Angel in-person at The Outlet Shops of Grand River at 6200 Grand River Blvd East Leeds, AL 35094 or The Riverchase Galleria at 2000 Galleria Circle Hoover, AL 35244.
- Adopt an Angel online.
- Shop the Walmart Registry for Good and have your purchases mailed directly to The Center of Hope at 2015 26th Avenue North Birmingham, AL 35234.
- “Stuff the Bus” at participating Chick-fil-A Stores by taking a new, unwrapped toy or coat to the following location: Chick-fil-A Eastwood Village, November 30-December 2 between 11AM and 5PM.
You can also volunteer with The Salvation Army of Grater Birmingham this holiday season. Find opportunities here.
There are many more local nonprofits to support this GivingTuesday and throughout the holiday season. Search our database of over 212 local nonprofits and be sure to add your nonprofit for free.
How will you be supporting local this GivingTuesday in Birmingham? Let us know on social @BhamNow what opportunities are out there and how you plan to be a GivingTuesday hero.
