Give Back Over The Holidays

No matter if you have 50 cents or a closet full of clothes, local organizations and businesses are looking for your donations. Giving back is simple this season with many donation centers located in central areas around Eldersburg and Sykesville.

The Carroll County Public Library is accepting donated gloves, mittens, scarves and hats for adults and children through their 27th annual mitten tree program. Each CCPL branch has mitten trees set up and will be accepting donations through Dec. 31. Items will be donated to local charitable organizations.

The Salvation Army is also looking for donations but not only in the form of dollar bills in the kettle outside of Walmart. Through an online Carroll County "kettle," the Salvation Army is looking for you to donate spare change with your credit card here.

In addition, the Salvation Army asks you to participate in the Angel Tree Program and to make it easier to find what where to go they have come up with a 2010 Baltimore Area map of area trees. 

Local schools are getting involved as well. The South Carroll High School media center is supporting Neighbors in Need with its Giving Tree Campaign running through Dec. 13. Students, faculty, staff and other members of the South Carroll High School Community are encouraged to send in donations of newly purchased items such as warm articles of clothing (gloves, hats, mittens, scarves, etc.), pajamas, slippers, unwrapped assorted gifts for teenagers, or personal care items.

Although, due to extreme need for holiday help, "gently used" books, stuffed animals, bikes, and coats also will be accepted. All donations will be placed around the tree and taken to the Neighbors in Need Holiday Shop in Westminster, which provides Christmas gifts to over 1,000 low-income families each year through its Holiday Shop.

If you are an organization or business looking for donations please let us know either in the comments box below or by e-mailing Valerie.Bonk@patch.com.