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Donate Your Unused Gift Cards

8/29/2015

By, Crystal S. Kauffman, Contributing Writer

©Unknown

Do you ever have unwanted gift cards after the holiday season has passed? If so, think about how many friends and family will be giving out gift cards you may not want. Additionally, you may not be able to use each gift card for many different reasons, which means the gift card will expire and become worthless. During the upcoming holiday season, think about how you can change someone's life using the very gift card, which you may not use or want.

Many different websites will allow you to resell the gift card to them and offer you cash back for each unused card. However, how about donating your cards to the military, patients in the hospital (with cancer or other illnesses), or to the less fortunate in your community? During this holiday season, many families may not have food or presents for Christmas. Therefore, why not take your unwanted gift cards or even gifts order to donate them to others, who will enjoy knowing that you are thinking of them.

These families will enjoy the fact that you are thinking about them during this holiday season. During the holiday season, many children and seniors are unable to celebrate Christmas for whatever reason, whether it is because of financial reasons or they have no family. You could pick someone in your own neighborhood to give unwanted or used gift cards too. Additionally, soldiers and military families could use the unwanted gift card.

The family could use the gift, in order to buy special things that his or her loved ones may need. Many websites or organizations can help you find a perfect family to donate your unwanted gift cards too. Sometimes, patients at nursing homes or in the hospital could also use the gift cards. This act of kindness will brighten his or her holiday season to receive a gift from a caring person. Try contacting a local nursing home or hospital for details on how to give the gift cards to the patients.

Furthermore, you could help bring joy to many patients by collecting unused gift cards from others you know. This is a great way to help others who are less fortunate and bless others during this holiday season. Additionally, ask others to get involved and help you to collect unused gift cards, like school and church. This holiday season; take a moment to bless others with your unwanted gift cards and cards you collect.

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How to Be More Involved in Your Community

8/27/2015

by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff

Image © Feed My Starving Children (FMSC); Flickr.com

Getting involved in your community is pretty much as simple as having the desire and just getting out there. There are plenty of organizations that are ready and willing to let you help out. Even if volunteer work is not normally on their agenda, there are many things you could offer to do for them that would be appreciated.

Check With Local Schools and Organizations That Help Children

Local schools always need a helping hand. Whether you are helping to build a playground or reading a book to a classroom of kindergartners, it is likely a school will welcome volunteer work with open arms. Check with the administration at your local schools to see what is needed. If you have ideas, don't be afraid to make suggestions.

Another good way to find about volunteer and community opportunities involving children is to seek out companies and organizations that might serve children. For instance, the Texas Farm Bureau helped third and fifth graders with a cabbage garden and a butterfly garden. This may sound small, but both are educational, as well as fun. From this type of activity, kids can learn about teamwork, learn gardening skills, learn to appreciate nature, get some exercise, as well as just plain have fun. Not all kids have opportunities like this on a daily basis.

Give Back at Work

Many companies give back to the community as well. Ask your boss if your company participates in volunteer work. One company that has an excellent volunteer program for its employees is The Home Depot. There are various ways Home Depot gives back to the community. Employees are encouraged to volunteer for The Home Depot Foundation (established in 2002). Home Depot associates (called Team Depot) can volunteer by building and restoring playgrounds, assessing and correcting safety and accessibility issues within the community, participating in affordable housing projects, helping with emergency preparedness, and more.

Look Up Various Shelters, Educational Assistance, and Other Programs

Perhaps there are adults in your area that don't yet have their high school diploma or GED. Rather than them paying high costs for classes, you may want to volunteer for tutoring. Oftentimes, shelters will offer programs to help people in this situation. If you would like to help, try going to your local shelters and asking administration about these programs.

Speaking of shelters, another way to volunteer and help those in need is by going to local shelters and asking about their greatest needs that a volunteer such as yourself would be able to provide. If they cannot think of any needs, but would like help somehow, you could make suggestions based on your talents and skills. For example, if you have experience counseling, you may want to provide counseling to families in tough situations, such as the youth at a shelter like Covenant House in Houston, TX.

No matter what type of volunteer work you choose, you can be sure that it will help someone in some way. Getting involved in the community is a great way to help others, gain character, and build a great resume. Not only can volunteering make the recipient of your efforts happy, but it also can lift your spirits as well.

*I originally published a version of this via Yahoo Contributor Network
(this version updated 8/27/2015)

Long List of Food Banks in Denver County, Colorado

8/9/2015

by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff

Image (c) Sharon & Nikki McCutcheon; Flickr.com

If you need help getting free food in Denver due to low-income, emergencies, and more, this long list of food banks in Denver County, Colorado will help. These food banks provide free food for families, free food for seniors, free school supplies, free formula, free diapers, and more. We have listed the most updated information we have. However, we do recommend calling ahead to check current details, as these can change to better serve the community. This list is in alphabetical order, along with addresses, phone numbers, and websites (when applicable). If we have other information about them, it will be listed as well.

Food Banks in Denver County with Free Food and Other Assistance

ACS Community Lift
5045 W. 1st Ave.
(303) 935-7386
M-Th from 9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Agape Christian Church
2501 California St.
(303) 296-2454
Fridays from 11 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
(Education, prison, youth, & other services also offered)

The Basilica of the Immaculate Conception (Denver Cathedral)
1530 Logan Street
(303) 831-7010
M-F 1 - 1:30 p.m.

Berkeley Baptist Church
4050 W. 44th Ave.
(303) 477-3002
Thursdays from 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
(Bread Only)

Bienvenidos Food Bank via NW Family Assistance Center
2224 W. 32nd Ave. (at Wyandot)
(303) 433-6328
1st, 2nd, and 4th Thursdays of the month 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. and 4 - 5:30 p.m.

Campbell Chapel AME
1500 E. 22nd Ave.
(303) 839-5058
4th Friday of the month 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Christ Body Ministries
16th and York St.
(303) 860-1272
Saturdays at 2 p.m.

Church in the City
1580 Gaylord St.
(303) 322-5733
2nd and 4th Sunday each month at 12:30 p.m.

Colorado AIDS Project
2490 W. 26th Ave. Building B
(303) 837-1501 (ext. 105)
T, Th from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m, W from 1 -5 p.m, and Sat from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Community Ministry
1755 S. Zuni S
(303) 936-0469
M, W, Th from 10 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. and Tues from 2 - 4:30 p.m.

Crossroads of the Rockies
2707 W. Mississippi Ave.
(303) 922-8772
T, Th from 9-11:15 a.m, Sat 9-9:30 a.m.

Denver Indian Center
4407 Morrison Road
(303) 936-2688
T, Th from 2-4:45 p.m.
(other assistance services also available)

Denver Inner City Parish
1212 Mariposa
(303) 629-0636
Mon & Fri from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Denver Rescue Mission
23rd & Lawrence St
(303) 294-0157
Tues - Sat from 8:30 - 11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
(other assistance services also available)

Denver Urban Ministries (denUM)
1717 E Colfax Ave.
(303) 355-4896
M, T, F from 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m, W from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m, & Th from 9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
(other assistance services also available)

East Denver Fish
Epiphany Lutheran Church and Washington Park United Church of Christ
(303) 234-5283
Phone calls only M, W, F from 8 - 11:30 a.m.
(Delivery service to area zip codes, call for info)

Front Range Seniors
1200 El Paso Blvd.
(303) 287-6789
55 and older only - Thursdays at 9 a.m.

Greater Park Hill Community - Emergency Food Pantry
2823 Fairfax St.
(303) 388-0918
M, W from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
(must be a Park Hill resident)

His Love Fellowship
910 Kalamath St.
(303) 623-1623
Thursdays at 8 a.m.

House of Joy Church
3082 Leyden St.
(303) 388-9060
Thursdays from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

House Worship Center
195 S. Monaco Parkway
(303) 333-9477 and (303) 355-0297
M, W, F from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
(must call ahead, pick-up at another location, other services offered)

Jewish Family Service of Colorado
3201 S. Tamarac Dr.
(303) 597-5000
First-time clients call (720) 248-4716 for appt.
(W, F 10 a.m. - 1 p.m; Seniors Tues 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. - closed last Tues each month; other assistance services available)

Macedonia Baptist Church
3240 Adams St.
(303) 377-8821
T, Th 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. (must call the day before)

Metro CareRing
1100 E. 18th Ave. (temporarily at 16th & Ogden)
(303) 860-1819
M, W, Th - call for schedule
(other assistance services also available)

Metropolitan Community Church
980 Clarkson St.
(303) 860-1819
2nd, 3rd, and 4th Monday each month from 3 - 6 p.m.
(welcoming to LGBT community)

Ministry Outreach Center
5725 E. 39th Ave
(303) 297-1815
M-F from 8:30 - 11:30 a.m; appts from 12:30 - 2 p.m.
(clothing and furniture assistance also available)

Most Precious Blood Catholic Church
2250 S. Harrison St
(303) 756-3083
M-Th from 9 - 11 a.m. and 1 - 3 p.m.

Our Lady of Lourdes Church
2200 S. Logan St.
(303) 722-6861
M-F from 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Park Hill 7th Day Adventist Church
3385 Albion St.
(303) 922-1131
T, W from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Praise Center Church
3105 W. Florida Ave.
(303) 922-1131
3rd or 4th Fri of the month at 10 - 10:15 a.m. (schedule on website)
(homeless/transitional services also offered for women)

Rising Star Baptist
1500 S. Dayton St.
(303) 752-0546
Third Saturday from 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Rose of Sharon Food Bank
5306 Lincoln St.
(303) 308-1652
call for schedule

Scott United Methodist
2880 Garfield St.
(303) 322-8967
2nd and 3rd Thursday of the month from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Senior Assistance Center
2839 W. 44th Ave.
(303) 455-9642
Thursdays only from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
(other assistance services also available)

Senior Support Services
846 E. 18th Ave. (at Emerson St.)
(303) 832-1622
55 and older; M-F 1-2 p.m.
(other assistance services also available)

Servicios De La Raza
3131 W. 14th Ave.
(303) 458-5851
Call for appt.
(other assistance services available)

St. Anthony’s Church
8301 W. Ohio Ave.
(303) 935-2431
Tues from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. and Fri from 10 - 11 a.m.

St. Frances De Sales
Serves 80209 zip code
(303) 744-7211
Delivery only - call for appt.

Twin Parishes - St. Vincent De Paul Society
3663 Humboldt St.
(303) 294-0684
T, Th from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.

Volunteers of America
2877 Lawrence St.
(303) 295-2165
M-Th from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Zion Senior Center
5151 E. 33rd Ave.
(303) 333-5746
M-Th at 11:30 a.m.
(other assistance services also available)

Donate Your Unused Gift Cards

How to Be More Involved in Your Community

Long List of Food Banks in Denver County, Colorado

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Donate Your Unused Gift Cards

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Long List of Food Banks in Denver County, Colorado

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