SeaSpine’s Post

This month's nonprofit Spotlight is Community Services Clearinghouse: I got to sit down with Aubry Severe and learn about the ways this organization can help, and also hear about the impact they've already made. Here's what we discussed: Q. What is one thing you want our community to know about this organization? A. There is an on-site food pantry for elders, disabled, and individuals going through medical treatments. Q. How many were you able to help in 2023? A. *They helped 400 families a month with the food pantry *71,898 kids from Aug. 2023-May 2024 through the Meals for Kids Backpack program *142 schools in 7 counties Q. What brought you to this organization? A. Aubry first came as a volunteer for the holiday program for a few years then applied to become a caseworker, and is now the Director of Operations Q. What big events do you have coming up in 2024? A. *True Grit Ride/Run is coming up soon on June 22. The ride starts at 7am, and run starts at 7:30am. You can sign up at csclearinghouse.org *Meals for Kids Backpack program picks back up in August Q. How can we help? A. Pantry donations are always needed especially in the summer. Businesses can help by hosting food drives.

As a pastor and dad of three young children, I understand the importance of teaching kids about generosity. Here are two actionable tips for parents to try right now: 1. Model Generosity: Children learn by example. Involve them in your charitable acts and discuss why you give and the impact it has on others. This helps them see generosity as a way of life. 2. Empower Their Giving: Encourage your children to choose causes they care about and contribute in their own way, whether through a "giving jar" or volunteering. This fosters a sense of responsibility and empathy.

Looking for ways to give back to your community? Here are a few….

How to Get Free Christmas Gifts for Low-Income Families The holiday season is meant to be magical, but it can be tough for families facing financial challenges. 🎅 Don’t worry—there are ways to bring joy and gifts to your loved ones! Here’s how you can find free Christmas gifts for your family: 🎀 Reach Out to Local Churches: Many churches offer holiday assistance programs, including free toys, clothes, and food for families in need. 🎁 Sign Up with Charitable Organizations: Programs like Angel Tree and Toys for Tots are dedicated to spreading holiday cheer. 🎀 Community Centers & Nonprofits: Your local community center might host events or gift drives for low-income families. 🎁 Ask for Support Early: Many programs have deadlines, so apply as soon as possible to ensure your family is included! ✨ A little help can make a huge difference. Let’s make this Christmas unforgettable for every family! 💬 Have more tips for finding holiday assistance? Share them in the comments below! #ChristmasHelp #HolidayCheer #CommunityCare #ChurchSupport

👶👧🧒 The Children's Advocacy Center provides vital support and resources to children and families who have experienced trauma or abuse. We believe that every child deserves love, care, and a chance to heal. And that's where YOU come in! 🙌 🎁📚 We are seeking donations of new items that will bring joy and comfort to these young individuals. Here are some suggested items you can donate: 1️⃣ Toys and Games: Help brighten their days with age-appropriate toys, stuffed animals, puzzles, board games, and art supplies. 2️⃣ Books: Foster their love for reading by donating new or gently used books for all age groups. Inspire their imaginations and provide an escape into the world of storytelling. 3️⃣ Clothing and Accessories: Children and teens often need new clothes due to growth or changes in their circumstances. You can contribute by donating new clothing, shoes, and accessories. 4️⃣ School Supplies: Help them succeed academically by providing new school supplies, backpacks, notebooks, pens, pencils, and other essentials. 5️⃣ Personal Care Items: Support their well-being by donating new toiletries, hygiene products, and personal care items such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, and soap. 💙💚 Your generous donations will make a significant difference in the lives of these children and families , showing them that they are valued and cared for by their community. Let's come together and make a positive impact! 💙💚

To my Georgia LinkedIn network - this is a great way to showcase your organization and make a difference. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me or directly to Georgia Kids Belong.

The holidays are a time to reflect, give back, and make a difference—and we’re in the final stretch of supporting Firefly Children & Family Alliance’s Hope for the Holidays campaign. At Trustpointe, we’ve made it a tradition to fill our donation box with contributions from clients, neighbors, and friends to help families in need. Last year, this program brought joy to over 1,200 children, but there’s still work to do. 𝗔𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝟭𝟱𝟳 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻 𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗱. 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽: 1. Drop off your donations at 𝟲𝟲𝟮𝟲 𝗘 𝟳𝟱𝘁𝗵 𝗦𝘁, 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝘆 𝟭𝟮/𝟭𝟭 𝗮𝘁 𝟰 𝗣𝗠 2. Sponsor a child or family directly: h4h.fireflyin.org  3. Share this message to spread the word. From craft kits and cozy blankets to essential hygiene items, every contribution counts. Let’s come together to make sure no child is left without hope this season. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗮 𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆—𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗲? #HopeForTheHolidays #CommunityImpact #MakingADifference

Ways to Be a Light: Get Kids Involved Looking for ways to get your kids more involved? Here are some ideas for age-appropriate #projects that would help others, build “team spirit”, and teach valuable lessons. It is a great #family, team, or classroom project! Consider for: senior class projects, Brighter Futures hours, Kiwanis or Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts projects, family reunions, youth sports teams. 1.     Clothing #donation drives – Collect clothes they can’t fit anymore to give to kids at family shelters. Setup donation drives at kids’ games and events for parents to drop off. Organizations such as Metropolitan Ministries operate family shelters. Contact a family shelter to coordinate donations for their residents. 2.     BOGO (Buy One, Give One) school supplies drive – Raise money to purchase school supplies for kids in need. Kids receive school supply lists every year. Use the list to get a matching set of each item to donate to a child whose family is unable to afford supplies. 3.     Food pantries – Some food pantries offer hours and volunteering opportunities for youths. They need younger people to help with things like warehousing tasks, food preparation, donation processing. Check sites such as VolunteerMatch.org for postings from local food pantries that allow kids to volunteer. Teach them early how to be a light for others 😊 #bealight #waystobealight #kidvolunteering #matthew516

Why do we do what we do? Imagine - for most wanting to play sports, be active, invest in their physical health- you go to the store and purchase a bike, a bat, a glove, a basketball, tennis racket, shoes or whatever you need and you get out on that court, field, track, or go to the gym and enjoy what you love doing. For others it’s not that easy. It requires adaptive equipment that unfortunately costs THOUSANDS and can’t be picked up at your local department store and inclusive fitness opportunities that are designed for those who face challenges or obstacles to promote achieving their goals. No child or person deserves to sit on the sidelines simply because they don’t have the means to participate. The work of the IM ABLE Foundation is vital to help adaptive individuals not only physically, but truly impacts them mentally, emotionally and socially when given the opportunity to participate, to succeed, and to achieve their goals. EVERY person or business who invests in our work recognizes the value and worth of those who just need a little help. The reward- the tears of joy, the endless smiles, the contagious laughter and the confidence boost every adaptive individual shares as those barriers are broken. Together we change lives 🫶 If you want to know more about IM ABLE, please reach out.