Frugal Family: Do the Giving, Reap the Rewards

It’s hard to believe that Christmas merchandise is already on the shelves and along with them, big Christmas sales. The meaning of the holidays seems to get lost in the hustle and bustle of buying.

For the past few years I have implemented certain activities to make sure my family and I don’t depend on gifts to have a rewarding holiday. In fact, our holidays our much more meaningful and rewarding than they use to be.

When I was diagnosed with cancer five years ago, I decided to make every Christmas and Birthday as if it were my last. I didn’t want to celebrate me; I wanted to do something for someone less fortunate than me. I knew it would give me something to look forward to, but I never imagined the Christmas Angel project (for needy kids) I started would be 25 members strong by now.  If you are interested, now is the time to start doing your research.

1) Calvary Children’s Home, Powder Springs off Casteel Rd. There is a list at their office with every child's needs and wants list. They are in special need of gas gift cards. Go to calvaryhome.org/ for volunteer opportunities or email info@calvaryhome.org

2) Life Is Sweet” Sponsored by Loving Arms Outreach For Cancer Survivors and Patients. Fundraise for cancer patients and their families through support. If you are gifted in any way or would like to improve a cancer patient’s life with that gift, offer a class (free of charge to cancer patients). 995 Roswell Rd. (Next to the Monsour Center). For more information, call 770.590.5153  Fax: 590.5155 or click here to view website.

3) Greenwood Gardens or Winnwood Retirement Community are just two elderly care facilities I would recommend. Volunteers bring food or just simply sit down and listen to them and their wonderful memories.

Greenwood Gardens: 1160 Whitlock Ave NW, Marietta 30064. 770-422-7778.

Winnwood Retirement Community. 100 Whitlock Avenue Marietta, GA 30064. 770-428-6200.

4) MUST Ministries serves both our neighbors whose most basic welfare is at risk, including those who are living in homelessness or at imminent risk of becoming homeless, in select counties across Metro Atlanta and North Georgia; AND those neighbors who wish to offer time, talent and physical assets to aid the needs of individuals and families in financial crisis.

Click here for easy ways to donate or volunteer. 1407 Cobb Parkway North, Marietta. Enter Welcome Center at back entrance. First Wednesday at noon or 5:30 p.m. or first Saturday at 10 a.m. RSVP to (678) 218- 4513.

 also has an office in Smyrna. It's located at 460 Pat Mell Road

5) Locate a church and see if there’s a homebound person with no nearby relatives. Adopt them for a day. Invite them or take them to Thanksgiving Dinner. Have Santa Claus come to their house. It will be a sure hit.

The ideas listed above are so simple, yet bring such joy. When is the last time you said you would like to volunteer or get involved in a good cause. Here’s your chance. You are the one who will reap the rewards