Karla's Kolumn

First it was Black Friday, then Cyber Monday and Giving Tuesday. If you missed Giving Tuesday there’s still time and plenty of places to give. The end of the year and Christmas time is when you see a lot of giving, whether it’s from the feeling of love and charity or wanting that tax deduction before the year’s end.

Many national organizations are calling and sending out their flyers to get people to give this time of year.

I would encourage our readers that if you want to give, give at home first. Just like I encouraged you to shop local last week, I am encouraging you to donate local first. Help out your neighbors and friends here.

Friday was the Festival of Trees auction. It’s a great project in that it allows people to purchase/donate to a variety of organizations at once. More than 30 organizations were helped last year.

But that doesn’t mean those groups can’t use more donations and they are all worthy causes. There are also organizations that don’t reach out to Festival of Trees for assistance.

One near and dear to me of course is the New Hope Humane Society. I’ve adopted two cats from there. I visit there each week to snap pictures for the Daily News’ Pet of the Week. I root for these cute furry animals each week to find their forever homes.

Other organizations that I know struggle and depend a lot on donations are Search and Rescue, Crisis Prevention and Response, Worland Youth Learning Center, Washakie Library Foundation and the ‘Friends’ of the Worland and Ten Sleep libraries, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Worland Garden Club, Washakie County Special Olympics, Life R U Ready, Gorgeous Gals, Worland and Ten Sleep senior centers, Washakie County Reading Council, D.A.R.E., Worland Food Bank. This Christmas there will also be ways to help purchase toys or clothes for area children to make sure they have a merry Christmas.

And it’s not just money you can donate, the food bank welcomes non-perishable food and other items. The crisis center also needs items to assist women and children needing safe shelter such as toiletry items.

These are just a few that would be happy to put your generosity to good use.

I encourage giving local because you can see exactly where your money is going. You can see the people you are helping. You more than likely know the people you are helping.

If you want to give to a national organization do some research on the organization, check out their budget, know where your money is going. You can ask that of the local charities as well. They all should be more than willing to share where their money goes. Does it go primarily to salaries and benefits of employees, or does it go to help the people you are wanting to help.

Give a helping hand locally to help build your community first.

Giving doesn’t have to be just one day on Giving Tuesday. Give according to your desire and your ability. You also don’t have to give to an organization. Pay some kindness forward by buying someone’s coffee that’s in line with you at the kiosk, help buy someone’s groceries or fill someone’s gas tank.

You don’t have to use any money to give either, give of your time and your heart. Spend some time with a friend, visit people in the nursing home, give someone a lift to the store or doctor’s appointment who may need it, fix a meal for someone who may need it; if it snows shovel a neighbor’s walk, and not because they can’t, but because you can.

Giving can be random acts of kindness.

There are many ways to give this holiday season and all year through, just open your heart and your mind to the opportunities.