44+ min ago (372+ words) A mum of two from Gloucestershire is hosting a free toy swap to help families budget for Christmas. Tzara Spurrier and her sister Maria will host the event from 10:30 - 13:00 GMT on Sunday at the Hesters Way Community Centre in Cheltenham. Since having her second child, Ms Spurrier, from Cheltenham, has been sharing free and low-budget family activities in the county on social media. She said that while on maternity leave, money was tight and she was finding it hard to keep her toddler entertained without spending too much money. Speaking to BBC Radio Gloucestershire's Nicky Price, she said: "At the start of my maternity, I did get a little bit down, because I did think is it just me? Or is everyone going out all the time and doing all these things? "I started looking for free and budget-friendly stuff…...

4+ hour, 3+ min ago (206+ words) On November 24, Archbishop Alberto Uy issued a pastoral appeal "inviting all of us to celebrate Christmas in 2025 with greater simplicity, deeper compassion, and more intentional solidarity with the poor." His appeal came on the heels of the string of disasters that ravaged communities with deadly quakes and floods, destroyed homes and churches, and harmed people's livelihoods. "Christmas is not about extravagance. It is not about noise, fireworks, or lavish food," the archbishop said." In response to the disasters that affected millions in Cebu province and other areas, he asked the parishes, religious communities, institutions and families to: "Let our homes shine not with lights but with love. Let our parishes be filled not with noise but with prayer. Let our celebrations focus not on abundance but on presence-God's presence and each other's presence," he said. "May our simple celebration this…...

5+ hour, 4+ min ago (112+ words) My spouse and I plan for Christmas to give small bags of supplies to homeless people. Do you have any suggestions; thoughts on priorities; or thoughts on quality of items vs. quantity of items vs. quantity of bags; etc.?We plan to put the items in gallon Ziploc bags, so the recipients can reuse the bags for some of their belongings, to keep them dry. So far, we have in mind to include socks; gloves; an orange or the like; moist towelettes; a a baked good, granola bar or somesuch; and maybe a bit of plastic silverware because I have a surplus. In case it matters, we are in Albuquerque, New Mexico....

8+ hour, 10+ min ago (370+ words) A mum of two from Gloucestershire is hosting a free toy swap to help families budget for Christmas. Tzara Spurrier and her sister Maria will host the event from 10:30 - 13:00 GMT on Sunday at the Hesters Way Community Centre in Cheltenham. Since having her second child, Ms Spurrier, from Cheltenham, has been sharing free and low-budget family activities in the county on social media. She said that while on maternity leave, money was tight and she was finding it hard to keep her toddler entertained without spending too much money. Speaking to BBC Radio Gloucestershire's Nicky Price, she said: "At the start of my maternity, I did get a little bit down, because I did think is it just me? Or is everyone going out all the time and doing all these things? "I started looking for free and budget-friendly stuff…...

9+ hour ago (320+ words) PHOTOS PROVIDED It's that time of year again where you will frequently see The Salvation Army Red Kettles at different stores throughout the community. The Salvation Army in Lock Haven kicked off their kettle campaign on Saturday, Nov, 15. This campaign is crucial to the mission of The Salvation Army, and allows them to continue [] The Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign returns It's that time of year again where you will frequently see The Salvation Army Red Kettles at different stores throughout the community. The Salvation Army in Lock Haven kicked off their kettle campaign on Saturday, Nov, 15. This campaign is crucial to the mission of The Salvation Army, and allows them to continue to serve the communities throughout the year with things such as rent, utilities, food, clothing and also Christmas dinner and gifts for families that need the help....

10+ hour, 56+ min ago (330+ words) WILKES-BARRE " Mary Carroll Donahoe, chief program officer, AllOne Foundation and Charities, this week said Giving Tuesday is about giving back in whatever ways we can. "Whether it's donating blood, volunteering time, or supporting a local nonprofit, Give Day is a chance to come together and make a meaningful difference," Donahoe said. On Giving Tuesday (Dec. 2), AllOne Charities is uniting 78 nonprofit organizations across Northeast and North Central Pennsylvania through AllOne Charities Give Day 2025 " a regional movement dedicated to inspiring generosity and community impact. Donahoe said Give Day is part of AllOne Charities' mission to strengthen the health and well-being of the communities it serves by supporting collaborative efforts among local nonprofits. She said it is one of AllOne Charities' most powerful initiatives, mobilizing nonprofits and community members in a 24-hour burst of generosity across Northeastern and North Central Pennsylvania. Donahoe said…...

13+ hour, 57+ min ago (60+ words) A 9-year-old runs the Ace of Heart's Project, aiming to help sick children by raising money to get toys for children in need and write letters to seniors. A 9-year-old runs the Ace of Heart's Project, aiming to help sick children by raising money to get toys for children in need and write letters to seniors....

16+ hour, 23+ min ago (127+ words) The official Red Kettle Campaign started Friday, and this year, the Salvation Army in Greater Cleveland aims to raise $400,000. People will be ringing bells next to Salvation Army kettles all across town for the 134th year.The official Red Kettle Campaign started Friday, and this year, the Salvation Army in Greater Cleveland aims to raise $400,000.Their goal is to fund services such as rent assistance, utility assistance, or after-school programs.Salvation Army Capt Travis Barton said the need doesn't stop when the holiday season is over."The fact is that, you know, the needs of Cuyahoga County, whether people are hungry or whether they're looking for a place to sleep or whatever the situation is" that doesn't change, because the seasons change...

16+ hour, 56+ min ago (624+ words) In an interview with Israel Hayom, Adams discussed how October 7 shifted his work, the surge in global antisemitism, and Israel's failures in the information war. "I was not in Israel on October 7," he said, and described his reaction upon learning the news as "horror and shock." Q: Do you donate differently prior to and post October 7? "I'm not one of those October 8 Jews" who found their reawakening after the attacks. Adams said his commitment to Jewish causes never wavered. "The lion's share has always been to give Jewishly, because if we don't look after ourselves, nobody else is going to look after us. So that didn't change at all." What did change was where he directed his efforts. Before October 7, Adams organized large-scale international events that attracted hundreds of millions of viewers. But "during a time of war, of course, you…...

17+ hour, 24+ min ago (122+ words) My sister's family in the UK has broad interests spanning sport, culture, the arts. I'd like to give a gift where I give money to a charity and they get a card or correspondence saying what specific thing/animal/person they are sponsoring. What reputable charities do this?Going back a while, I gave family members "adoptions" of orphaned wildlife through the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, which was always well-received and appreciated, but I was wondering if there were options closer to home for them. Particularly for the kids, I think it's nice to have a donation associated with something they can understand, rather than just "X gave Organization Y $100." The sponsorship/adoption/etc. schemes are really appealing for that reason....