Spreading cheer to mothers and children near

The holidays are a mix of joy and stress for everyone. From buying the perfect gifts, planning parties, and baking cookies, it seems like there is never a minute to spare. Now, imagine how difficult the holidays would be if you did not have the financial stability to provide for your family. Sadly, this is a reality for many families in Cincinnati.This holiday season, many children will return to their classrooms to tell your son or daughter that Santa forgot to stop by their house this year. No one wants our community’s families to face this. Luckily there are ways that we can lift up these local families and share in the joy of the holidays.Cradle Cincinnati encourages you to donate to organizations across the Cincinnati Tri-State area that are helping families, particularly moms and children, survive the holidays. Here are some local organizations you can support to bring holiday joy for those that need it the most*:

• The Freestore Food Bank: During the holidays, the Freestore Foodbank will be distributing Christmas food packages based on family size. Every $1 you donate provides three meals for someone in our community. You can also donate food, clothes, personal hygiene products, and your time through volunteering. For a complete list of items eligible for donation, visit: http://freestorefoodbank.org/take-action/make-donation/
• Bethany House: Provides housing, education, and assistance to homeless women and children in the Greater Cincinnati area. Help Bethany House shelter and comfort moms and children in Cincinnati by making a monetary donation or by volunteering to prepare a holiday meal. To make an online donation or volunteer, visit: http://www.bethanyhouseservices.org/
• Salvation Army of Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky: Hosts a Toy Shop which provides thousands of books, dolls, and stuffed bears to homeless children around the Greater Cincinnati area. Also, provides emergency housing to homeless, single women and their children. Help support the toy shop and emergency housing by making a monetary, clothing, furniture or household good donations at: http://swo.salvationarmy.org/SouthwestOhio/
• Society of St. Vincent de Paul: This Holiday season, help out a family in need through the Adopt-A-Family program, which gives you a family’s Christmas wish list with items from basic necessities to small toys. You can also participate in the Christmas Angel Toy Program by donating new toys or a monetary gift to purchase toys for children in need. For more information, visit: http://www.svdpcincinnati.org/About_Us/Our_Programs/Holiday_Programs/

By donating to any of the above organizations, or an organization of your choice, you will be making a difference in the lives of Cincinnati’s families in need. Your donations will ensure that the joy of the holidays reaches everyone, even those that can’t afford presents or holiday meals. Join Cradle Cincinnati in making sure mothers and children have the best holiday season yet!*Cradle Cincinnati does not sponsor any organizations listed. Our goal is to support the community by means of spreading awareness of local programs.