The Spirit of Giving

Participating in a “do-good” activity as a team can help bring your family closer together and provide memories for years to come. Besides that, your kids can go back to school with exciting tales of how they helped make a difference.

A Ripple Effect

PebbleTossers, an organization that finds service projects for kids, has plenty of tasks your family can do at home. Register for free at pebbletossers.org to find opportunities. For instance:

Doggie Biscuit Baker. Bake dog treats to take to Canine Assistants, the Atlanta Humane Society or the Canine Adoption Network. Find the recipe on the website.

Toasty Gift Giver. Decorate and fill gift bags with cold-weather items for homeless adults and children. Pebbletossers lists locations accepting the gift bags.

Give a Toy

Another easy way for families to help is by participating in the Toys for Tots drive for needy children. The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation especially needs toys for boys and girls ages 10-14; the drive often falls short in donations for that age range.

Donate a new, unwrapped toy at metro-Atlanta Publix stores or at 1,000 other registered drop-off sites by Dec. 19. Volunteers are also needed at the warehouse for sorting and packing and all ages are welcome. Find more information at northatlanta.toysfortots.org.

Monetary donations are also accepted. To make sure your money stays in the Atlanta area, mail donations to: North Atlanta Toys for Tots, 2700 Ivy Mill Dr., Buford, GA 30519.

– Alexi Wilbourn