With One Week Left, There Is Still Time To Help Local Charities During This Holiday Season.

As you are marking off all the gifts you have on your list, consider adding a local charity to that list. The Albany area has many charities helping make a difference to help end hunger, feed the less fortunate, and bring joy to the many communities. It does not need to be a large donation, and it could be even donating your time; every bit helps. For the past several years, I decided to support local charities the best that I could. For example, I recently volunteered for the American Red Cross, the Northeastern New York Chapter, helping write newsletters and in-house memos in the marketing department. With so many changes happening every day, I knew they were short-staffed, and I wanted to help the best way I could. 

If you are interested and can help, here is a small list of local charities in the Capital District. 

Concerned For the Hungry, Inc is located in Schenectady. This nonprofit organization provides essential food service programs throughout the county, including collecting and distributing food, offering monetary support to food pantries, coordinating volunteer efforts, and more. You can help by donating money or food. For more information, you can call 518-847-9941.

Operation at Ease (OAE) pairs shelter dogs with deserving veterans and first responders. In addition, it provides a free guided training program for post-traumatic stress and light mobility service dogs. For more information, you can contact them at 518-847-9941

The Albany Police Athletic League, Inc. provides educational, recreational, and athletic programs to over 4,000 Albany youth. The goal is to give kids the support and skills they will need on their journey to a brighter future—more information at 518-435-0392.

The American Red Cross is composed of volunteers who provide relief to disaster victims and respond to emergencies. In the Capital Region, the Northeastern New York Chapter of the American Red Cross serves Albany County, Schenectady County, Rensselaer County, Saratoga County, and beyond-more information at 518-458-8111.

The Capital Region Toys For Tots' mission is to collect new, unwrapped toys during the holiday season each year and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to needy children in the community. If you can not get a toy to them, you can also make a monetary donation online.