This past weekend we went as a family to go grocery shopping.   Normally, grocery shopping falls to me, by my own choice.  I’m one of those crazy couponers – I look at it as a game to get the groceries we need and eat, but for the lowest price possible.  Seeing a savings at the bottom of my receipt gets me giddy.  I also usually take one of the kidlets along to “help” me, and feel involved with helping the family.  However, this was not a routine grocery run or to trip stock up for our Thanksgiving meal.  This was a special grocery visit – to buy and donate food to our local food pantry.

I don’t think it is ever to early to teach children about being thankful for what they have and to consider those that are not as fortunate.   The hubs & I always try to make our kidlets aware that there are children, families and people out there who do not have a warm bed to go home to, food stocked in the fridge or toys to play with.   Talking about it always seems so abstract to me – and I’m sure it does to the kidlets too.  I hope that involving them in getting food to help out at our local pantry will give them a better idea of what is going on.   Above all, the hubs and I want our children to grow up to be compassionate towards others and think about those not as fortunate as we are.

With Black Friday and Cyber Monday coming up, we’re already starting to figure out what holiday gift drives we’ll participate in.   We usually buy toys for our local police department’s toy drive.   We like to give back to our local community, and hopefully make a direct impact.

If you’re a NJ resident like me and looking for a local cause to donate to, please consider the Children’s Hospital of New Jersey.  Children’s Hospital treats ill and injured children with specialized care from newborn to adolescence as well as preventive programs that promote wellness in the community.  Children’s Hospital of New Jersey is an affiliate of Barnabas Health and helps nearly 50,000 children each year.   They also recognize that the special needs of children and their families extend far beyond clinical interventions.

This week the Children’s Hospital of New Jersey kicked off its annual holiday Wish List drive.   Supplies and toys are constantly in need for the children that are cared for at the hospital.  Some of the items on their list include developmental items that help premature babies feel like they are still in their mother’s womb, sensory equipment to treat children with learning or behavioral challenges, and playthings to distract a child from the tedium and fear that can accompany a trip to the hospital.   A trip to the hospital is a stressful situation for anyone, but imagine what it must be like for a child.

They’ve made it very easy for people who are looking to get involved and donate this holiday season.  By clicking on  http://www.givetochildrennj.org you can see the list of items they are looking to have donated and if you don’t to do the shopping yourself, you can also make a general donation to the hospital, and they’ll take care of buying the items for you!   And keep in mind that all gifts, whether it is an actual item or a monetary donation are also tax deductible.

Do you have a favorite charity or cause that you like to help out during the holidays?  If you do, post it here – and tell me why!