Holiday Gifts That Save Lives- (7.) Shop at Stores That Give Back & (8.) Adopt a Family

Shop at Stores That Give Back

By now most of you have already done your holiday shopping. And little do you know, you may have already shopped at a store who gives a portion of their profits back to charity.

Below are a list of retailers who give back to charity, and a brief description of how they help the less fortunate:

• Wal-mart- The Wal-mart Foundation has partnered with Feeding America. They provide 70-million meals yearly to families in need.

• Best Buy- Donates approximately 1% of its pre-tax dollars to organizations such as American Red Cross, United Way, Boys & Girls Club, and Junior Achievement.

• Gap Inc.- Contributes half of the proceeds from red merchandise product sales to help women and children affected by HIV and AIDS in Africa.

• Macy’s- Donates to non-profit organizations focusing on arts, education, HIV & AIDS research and awareness, women and minority issues.

• Kohl’s- In 2000 Kohl’s founded its Care for Kids program. Since then, they have raised more than $102 million to support children’s health and education initiatives.

• CVS- Since 2006, CVS has raised over $5 million to Easter Seals (which helps people with Autism and other disabilities.

• Dillards- Donates to the Ronald McDonald Charities through an annual holiday fundraiser.

• Kenneth Cole- Allows shoppers spending $100 or more to donate $10 from Kenneth Cole New York retail store to a charity at the Network for Good.

• Yankee Candle- Donates a percentage of their candle proceeds to the American Heart Association's Go Red For Women movement.

Other companies that contribute a percentage of their proceeds to charity are:

• Sprint
• Jockey
• Uncommongoods.com
• GoodSearch
• AGoodCause.com
• Upromise
• We-care.com

Adopt a Family

In this economy you do not have to go far to find a family in need. Therefore, you should consider adopting a family.

Check your local religious organization for a list of families in need.

Also, call the Salvation Army or the United Way for a list of families who will go without a Christmas tree, meal, or gifts if no one volunteers to offer assistance.