Your helping hands have 10 fingers. So why not consider contributing to one or all of these 10 causes this holiday season? Give old shoes, monkey money, even donations fit for a princess. Here’s how generous hearts can help:
– Alternative Gifts International: Supports human and environmental relief in Africa, Asia and the Americas. Contact 800-842-2243 or visit Alternative Gifts on the Web at altgifts.org
– Helping Hands: Monkey Helpers for the Disabled: Places, at no charge, specially trained capuchin monkeys as helper/companions in the homes of paralyzed people. Call 617-787-4419.
– Boys & Girls Clubs of America: Offers encouragement and support to some 2.6 million disadvantaged young people. Reach Chicago area offices at 312-627-2700 or 708-547-6960.
– Habitat for Humanity: Helps build homes in partnership with volunteers and the needy. Send donations to: Habitat for Humanity International, P.O. Box 1167, Americus, Ga. 31709-9951. For more information, call 800-422-4828.
– Hadley School for the Blind: Trains and educates more than 10,500 blind people. . Holiday card sales are under way through Dec. 18 at the school 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays: 700 Elm St., Winnetka, Ill. 60093-0299. For information, call Betsy Sabie at 847-446-8111.
– Heifer Project International: Provides livestock to poor families in 110 countries. Call 800-422-0474.
– National Kidney Foundation: Urges all Americans to sign organ donor cards. More than 50,000 people currently await life-saving transplants (kidney, liver, lungs, bone marrow and pancreas). Free donor cards and brochures are available by calling 800-622-9010.
– Literacy Volunteers of America: Teaches reading to teens and adults. Call 315-472-0001.
– Nike’s Reuse-A-Shoe program: Clears closets and landfills of unused or unwanted athletic shoes (all brands) and turns ground up shoe material into playground surfaces and other items. Donations are taken at Niketown, 669 N. Michigan Ave. Call 312-642-6363 or 800-352-6453 for additional details.
