Giving Back, Close to Home

By Emily King

The Giving Tuesday movement was started in 2012 as an effort to create a day that encourages people to do good. It has grown into a global movement that inspires people around the world to celebrate generosity and help their community year-round. With Giving Tuesday falling on December 2 this year, now is a great time to learn about some of the organizations that are doing amazing work right in our community. Scan the QR codes to learn more about each organization and how you can help.

VOICE

VOICE is an organization that provides services to support victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and other crimes in Butler County. Services include crisis intervention, emergency domestic violence shelter, transitional housing, counseling, legal advocacy, medical advocacy, social services advocacy, support groups, children’s advocacy, community outreach and prevention. Services are free and they operate with complete confidentiality. 

VOICE provides advocacy services to the community regardless of age, race, gender, color, religion, culture, national origin, sexual orientation, economic status, or the presence of any mental or physical disability. 

How you can help:

VOICE is always looking for support from the community and there are lots of way to contribute around the holidays. The organization always appreciates donations of any kind, including monetary, gift cards, donations of cleaning supplies, school supplies, hygiene products, and more. Before donating, please check their website for their greatest need and items they are not accepting. 

The Izzie Fund

When Victoria Chester Rose received her beloved dog Izzie’s diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension, she resolved to do anything she could to keep Izzie comfortable and give her more time to live. This meant seeing a team of specialists, including a cardiologist, prescription food, medications, hospital stays, ultrasounds, echocardiograms, and oxygen therapy. The vet bills were staggering, and Victoria realized how lucky she was to be able to provide Izzie with everything she needed. 

The Izzie Fund was established to honor Izzie, who passed away in. The Izzie Fund is an all-volunteer nonprofit that relies entirely on donations to help responsible dog owners make the best medical decisions for their pets without the worry of financial burden. Our vision is simple: no family-owned dog should ever be surrendered or euthanized because of the cost of treatment. In just three years, The Izzie Fund has provided close to $60,000 in grants, giving families access to lifesaving specialized veterinary care. 

How you can help:

The Izzie Fund is kicking holiday season with a festive Ugly Sweater Mixer on December 5 at the Rivers Club in downtown Pittsburgh. Party guests can enjoy complimentary hors devours and a cocktail tasting, plus a cash bar. Enter to win a 50/50 raffle and raffle baskets. Don your tackiest holiday threads for a chance to win the Ugly Sweater Contest. All proceeds from the event will benefit The Izzie Fund.

The Foster Love Project

For kids in the foster system, the idea of “home for the holidays” can be a complicated one, especially when kids must move with little warning and time to prepare. The Foster Love Project aims to help provide children who are impacted by foster and kinship care with dignity and comfort. They help meet the basic needs of children as well as providing them with comfort objects and experiences. The Foster Love Project has several initiatives that support foster children and families. Their Back2School program provides kids with new brand-name shoes, clothes, backpacks and school supplies. Their Excellent Hair Care program helps teach foster families how to care for the unique hair and skin needs of black children.

They also provide opportunities for support and community, including teen connection groups and family support weekends for foster, kinship, and adoptive families. These opportunities allow children and families to bond and connect with others who are going through similar experiences. 

How you can help:

Foster Love Project is currently promoting two fundraising campaigns ahead of the holidays. Their signature FLP bag drive kicks off November 11^th. Many times, when kids are placed into foster care, their few belongings are thrown into a garbage bag to take with them. The bag drive provides foster children with a bag filled with new belongings for them, specifically for their age group. Bags may include items like comfort items, stuffed animals, self-care products like bodywash and toothbrushes, clothing and other items. Check the website for info about how you can donate and where and when to drop off bags. 

Foster Love Project will also be hosting their annual Angel Tree Gift Drive in November. This program helps grant holiday wishes to more than 200 children in the foster care system locally. The program is unique in that anyone can participate, from anywhere, as a donor because it is all done online. 

North Hills Community Outreach

If you want to see your donations benefit those directly in your community, North Hills Community Outreach is a great place to start. The organization was formed in 1987, after a devastating flood ravaged parts of the North Hills. Local community and religious leaders came together to provide support and meet the needs of families that were affected by the flooding. This process revealed the great need for an organization dedicated to meeting the basic needs of people in our community. Soon after, North Hills Community Outreach was formed. 

NHCO helps out in many ways. They host a food pantry, provide volunteer services for older adults, free tax preparation, transportation assistance, utilities and rental assistance, education assistance, and other programs that serve those in need. 

How you can help:

NHCO will be hosting their 12^th annual Annual Holiday Bazaar at Wildwood Golf Club in Allison Park. The holiday market will feature more than 30 local businesses, artisans, and craftsmen selling clothing, artwork, jewelry, holiday décor, and more. The Bazaar is open to the public and free. Wildwood will also be hosting a Sunday Brunch Buffet, available from 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and reservations are required. Pricing is $28 for adults and $15 for children. All proceeds from the event will directly benefit NHCO and their efforts.