It’s a great time of year to recognize and give thanks to the organizations that provide for our community throughout the year. Whether it’s helping animals, children, families or schools, we can show our appreciation for these services by donating funds, offering our time by volunteering or enjoying one of their holiday programs.
We assembled a few of our favorite local nonprofit organizations to see what they have planned for the holiday season.
Give Back for the Holidays
The Society for the Improvement of Conditions for Stray Animals (SICSA)
SICSA of Dayton promotes the welfare and adoption of companion animals and nurtures lifelong relationships between animals and people. This year they have many holiday events for locals and their furry friends.
Lights of Love, beginning December 1, lights up the community with a memorial or honorary lights purchased for $5 each. Those who order at least five lights will receive a keepsake luminary with their loved one’s name. The lights are displayed for the entire month of December.
The Friends of SICSA Holiday Bazaar on Friday, December 2 and Saturday, December 3, offers homemade treats, pet goods and more. Santa will even be there to take pictures with your pets!
SICSA also sponsors Pet Nights at Woodland Lights on December 3 and 19. Participants can walk the trails with pets, visit Santa Claus and enjoy food vendors. The SICSA booth will offer free treats for every pet in attendance.
For more information and opportunities to support their efforts, visit SICSA.org.
The Centerville Education Foundation (CEF)
CEF is a nonprofit organization founded to enhance the education program in Centerville City Schools. The Foundation depends on support from individuals, businesses and more. Funds are distributed through a grant program that benefits students, faculty and staff.
“Our grant projects go above and beyond the standard curriculum and will enhance learning for the students in unique and innovative ways,” says Rajeev Goel, CEF Board of Trustees member.
If you need a gift for a Centerville student or alumni, CEF offers a Lego kit specially designed with Brixilated that highlights Centerville. Kits include 83 genuine Lego bricks and a full-color instruction manual. Each kit is $25 with 20% of each sale donated to CEF to fund student scholarships and classroom grants.
For those looking for another way to contribute, CEF has recently selected 25 grant projects to fund. Details of all 25 projects are posted on their website for the community to browse and consider making a one-time $25 contribution to the project that they feel most passionate about. CentervilleEducation.org.
Hannah’s Treasure Chest
Hannah’s Treasure Chest of Centerville seeks to enrich the lives of local children in need. They respond to the needs of struggling families and provide clothing, baby equipment, diapers, hygiene items, toys, books and other essential items.
Hannah’s Treasure Chest does daily care package fulfillment for children in need. Volunteers hand-select items from their warehouse for packages that reflect the unique family profile and checklist of needs provided by their partners. They also offer Beds for Babies and Blankets & Bears programs and Brighter Smiles Dental Kits.
Their holiday gift program, Giving Angels, begins in August. They’re currently prepared to serve a record 1,000 children this year. This is accomplished through the generosity of local businesses, organizations and individuals who purchase and donate children’s wish list items, family gifts and gift cards.
“It truly is a Santa’s Workshop-type atmosphere and though the work days are long and hard, everyone loves doing it because we all know the joy it brings to children,” Executive Director Deanna Murphy tells us.
Hannah’s Treasure Chest is supported by in-kind and financial donations, events and proceeds from selling overstock donations in their Shop Hannah’s store. To donate, volunteer or learn more visit HannahsTreasure.org.