Sometimes with life’s busy schedules we forget how lucky we are through these hard times with the economy. The holiday season is a great time for giving to those who are less fortunate than others. Here

are some great ways to share and care over this holiday season:

Salvation Army’s Angel Tree-

The Angel Tree is a great program put on by the Salvation Army that helps the children in the Wilmington area who are in need of help over the holidays. How it works: You choose a child from the

Angel Tree, they will provide the child’s age, clothing and shoe sizes, and any Christmas needs or wants from the child. Then you provide what you can for the child and bring your wrapped or unwrapped

presents to your local Salvation Army usually no later that the 14th or the 15th of December so the children get their gifts in time for Christmas. For more info call 910-762-7354

The Good Sheppard Center Soup Kitchen-

The soup kitchen helps both low -income and homeless individuals.  The kitchen is great place to volunteer your time to help feed the local community who are in need. Volunteers can help prepare the

meals, go around collecting food from the area, or helping the homeless guests check in the kitchens night shelter. For more info call 910-762-4424

Cape Fear Habitat for Humanity-

The local Habitat for Humanity is above all another great way to lend a helping hand. This organization has been providing quality housing that is affordable to those families less fortunate They welcome any

and all volunteering such as donating a box of nails, or a piece of plywood or if you have building talents to come down and swing a hammer to assist with building one of the current home projects. The Habitat

also has a “Re-Store” that you can donate household items and building materials. If you know you are re-doing your kitchen cabinets or buying all new appliances your old ones will look brand new to one of the

families awaiting their dream home to be built.  For more info call 910-762-4744 or email info@capefearhabitat.org

Kick off your holiday season right by “paying it forward” to one of these great area charities.