Alternative Holiday Gifts: Spreading Joy And Hope In The Brazos Valley

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Compiled by Rachel Knight

Charitable giving spreads comfort, warms the heart, and brings joy into our community of neighbors. It also provides alternative gifts for all beliefs during the holiday season. Whether you’re looking for a way to teach your children the joy of giving to others, find a gift for the person who already has it all, or simply spread holiday cheer, we’ve got something for you in this guide to charitable holiday giving in the Brazos Valley. While our list is not comprehensive, it features many unique ways to share the holiday spirit.

Giving Necessities, Toys, and Holiday Cheer Thanksgiving in the Brazos ValleyA monetary donation to Thanksgiving in the Brazos Valley helps provide a hot meal, warm greeting, and kind smile to those who cannot make Thanksgiving dinner for themselves or must spend the holiday alone. Donations to help purchase food for the meals, packaging, and volunteer t-shirts can be made by contacting The Bank & Trust.(979) 260-2100 Donations accepted until Nov. 21

College Station Noon Lions Christmas Tree SaleHelp fund charities and charitable projects with your Christmas tree purchase this year. Net proceeds from the College Station Noon Lions Christmas Tree Sale fund Lion charities and projects like the Fun for All Playground, Texas Lions Camp, Texas Eye Bank, the purchase of glasses and hearing devices, and more. Trees range in price from $45 to $200 and in size from 5 to 10 feet. Cash, checks, debit, and credit cards are all accepted. Due to rainy weather, the tree lot will open a few days after Thanksgiving this year at a date yet to be determined. Check the College Station Noon Lions Facebook page for updates on when the trees arrive.Dates Weekdays from 4 to 9pm; Weekends from 9am to 9pm.Location King Cole Street, across from the College Station Police Dept.

Wreaths Across AmericaRemember our fallen U.S. veterans; honor those who serve(d) and their families; and teach our children the value of freedom by sponsoring wreaths for Brazos Valley veterans’ graves. For $15, Wreaths Across America will place a live balsam fir wreath from Maine on a veteran’s grave in one of the four Bryan College Station City cemeteries or one of 31 cemeteries in the surrounding area. Wreaths Across America’s goal is to place a wreath on 100 percent of veteran graves in the Brazos Valley this year. Because 2018 marks the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I, wreaths will be placed on WWI veterans’ graves first. Wreaths Across America plans to honor an additional 2,160 veterans in the Brazos Valley as well. Wreaths can be sponsored by visiting www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/tx0275p or by mailing a check to WAA, P.O. Box 1000, College Station, TX 77841.www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/tx0275p Wreath sponsorships due Dec. 3

Food for Families Food DriveOn Wednesday, Dec. 5, you can help alleviate hunger in the Brazos Valley. KBTX will broadcast live throughout the day from five different donation centers as Brazos Valley community members join forces to end hunger in the place we call home. The main donation center is located at the Brazos Center and will be open from 5am to 7pm. Other donation sites will be open from 6am to 7pm and include the Kimbro Center in Madisonville, Navasota Valley Electric Coop in Franklin, St. Mary’s Parish Gym in Caldwell, and Mid-South Synergy in Navasota. In addition to food, monetary donations can be made at each donation site or online by visiting www.kbtx.com on Dec. 5.www.kbtx.com (979) 268-1497 Date Dec. 5Times Brazos Center 5am to 7pm, Other Donation Sites 6am to 7pm.Locations Brazos Center, Kimbro Center in Madisonville, Navasota Valley Electric Coop in Franklin, St. Mary’s Parish Gym in Caldwell, and Mid-South Synergy in Navasota

Angel TreesBe somebody’s angel this holiday season by adopting a family or child in need. Head to one of the Angel Tree locations in the Brazos Valley, select a child, elderly member of the community, or family to purchase gifts and necessities for, and return the items unwrapped by the listed deadline. Shopping for those less fortunate as a family is a great teaching and bonding opportunity. This is also a fun way for the whole office to pitch in and spread holiday cheer. There are numerous Angel Tree programs in the Brazos Valley. Here are two to get your charitable giving started.

Bryan Police Officer’s Association Blue Angel Tree (979) 209-5318 or (979) 209-5381 Tree Location Bryan Police DepartmentUnwrapped gifts and monetary donations due Dec. 3

Salvation Army Angel Tree (979) 361-0618 www.salvationarmybcs.orgTree Location Post Oak Mall Food CourtHours Monday through Saturday 10am to 8pm, Closed Thanksgiving DayUnwrapped gifts and monetary donations due Dec. 15

Mitten TreeGive the gift of warmth! Help families served by the Anderson Food Pantry by donating mittens, gloves, hats, and scarves of all sizes to keep heads and hands warm this winter. Donations are accepted through Dec. 23 and will be distributed to families in December and January. Donations can be made in person at the Anderson Food Pantry, Pure Barre in College Station, or Mid-South Synergy in Navasota; online at www.missionreclaimed.com/donate; or mailed to Mission Reclaimed, P.O. Box 723, Anderson, TX 77830. Additional drop-off locations are located throughout the Brazos Valley. Call the number listed below for more information.(936) 870-6178 Donations due Dec. 23

Blessings in BagsFill warm hearts and hungry stomachs this holiday season by donating monetarily to Blessings in Bags. Blessings in Bags is a grassroots volunteer effort striving to ensure local families in need receive food for the holidays. For some, the food provided will be their Christmas meal. The goal of Blessings in Bags is to help more than 1,900 families by working with Bryan ISD, College Station ISD, and the Area Agency on Aging to identify those who need a helping hand this holiday season. Donations are tax deductible and accepted until all families have been sponsored. To make a donation, visit www.brazosfellowship.com/give and select Blessings in Bags after clicking the “Give” link, text [$Amount]BrazosBlessings to 457777, or mail checks to Brazos Fellowship with Blessings in Bags on the memo to 226 Southwest Parkway E, College Station, TX 77840.blessingsinbagsbcs@gmail.com Donations due Dec. 23

B/CS Habitat for Humanity Donation MatchingWhile many of us enjoy the comfort of our warm homes during the holidays, others live in undesirable conditions year-round. Bryan/College Station Habitat for Humanity works to change these conditions by building decent and affordable homes for Bryan and College Station residents. Your Habitat donation made before the end of the year will make twice the difference thanks to Fred and Sue Ellen Davis and Davis & Davis Lawyers. Any gift given until the end of the year will be matched up to $10,000. Donations can be made online at www.habitatbcs.org/donate or by mailing checks to Bryan College Station Habitat for Humanity, 119 Lake St., Bryan, TX 77801.www.habitatbcs.org/donate (979) 823-7200 Donations due Dec. 31

Giving Time and Spreading JoyBecome a Bell RingerHelp the Salvation Army of Brazos County “Do The Most Good” by volunteering with their Red Kettle campaign. Spread holiday cheer, ring a bell, and collect donations in an iconic Salvation Army Red Kettle. This is a great opportunity to participate in the friendly competition known as a “Ring Off” between families, friends, clubs, teams, and companies while helping the community. Locations and times vary. Volunteers are needed through Christmas Eve. Volunteers will not bell ring on Sundays or Thanksgiving Day. www.salvationarmybcs.org (979) 361-0618 Dates Nov. 9 through Dec. 24

Thanksgiving in the Brazos ValleyThanksgiving is a time best spent with family and friends around a warm meal. Volunteer to make Thanksgiving better for those who cannot cook for themselves or who spend the holiday alone. Volunteers prepare and deliver meals with Epicures Catering, the Duncan Dining Hall staff, and Chartwells. Contact Epicures Catering to sign yourself or your family up to volunteer on Thanksgiving.(979) 695-0985 Date Nov. 22, varying shifts beginning at 6am.Location Duncan Dining Hall

Flannel + Frost Christmas PartyWith free hot chocolate and treats, Christmas music, and Frosty the snowman on site, volunteers can help spread Christmas cheer to families of the Anderson Food Pantry as part of their December food distribution. Wear your plaid apparel, pass out bags of food, and be part of the fun. Children accompanied by an adult are welcome, and families are encouraged to volunteer together!(936) 870-6178 Date Dec. 6, 8am to 12pm and 4:30 to 7pm.Location Anderson Food Pantry

B/CS Habitat for Humanity Youth Playhouse BuildThis event is designed to engage kids ages 7 to 15. With help from adults, kids will build and decorate playhouses for low-income families. The event also raises funds to help sponsor a B/CS Habitat home. Youth Playhouse Build is a two-day event. The first day is an orientation with two different times and the second is the actual build day. For more information or to register, email Jane Sherman at jsherman@habitatbcs.org.www.habitatbcs.org/youthplayhousebuild (979) 823-7200 ext 114 Dates Dec. 5, 6 to 7pm or 7 to 8pm; Dec. 8, 9am to 12pm.

Wreaths Across America Wreath PlacementPlace wreaths on Brazos Valley veterans’ graves to remember our fallen, honor those who serve and their families, and teach our children the value of freedom. With plans to place more than 2,000 wreaths this year, Wreaths Across America has plenty of wreaths for everyone to help place. A Wreaths Across America ceremony will kick off the event at the Aggie Field of Honor in College Station. After the ceremony, volunteers will disperse to various cemeteries and start placing wreaths on the graves of fallen veterans.www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/tx0275pDate Dec. 15, 11am.Location Aggie Field of Honor