Donating tips for all Conservationists!
Save The Environment!

You may have dozens of candy canes, or a fruitcake (or two) leftover from
the Christmas holiday and you’re not sure what to do with them.

Well, believe it or not, you can donate those cookies, Christmas cards and
even fruitcake to those in need, so if you’re feeling conflicted about all of
the leftovers, let it go and donate them to…

a) A Christmas Tree-
Do you usually toss your tree on the side of the road?
Well today, there’s a place for your tree and one of those places
may be a state park or an open field where there’s plenty of wildlife.
You can smear the branches with vegetable or fruit scraps,
or leave the popcorn on it (no Choc.) and take it to a park
where wild animals roam.
Or ask garden centers if they want it, trees often break down and
fertilize plants.
And if there aren’t parks nearby, you can also contact a zoo.
Recycled trees can be sunk into large bodies of water to make
habitats for fish or given to elephants to play with.
Visit the sites HumaneSociety.org or AmericanZoos.info, for more
information.
One last tip:
Make sure to clean the tree thoroughly before donating it,
no ornaments, garland or tinsel, but food like popcorn, cranberries,
and other fruit is okay and remember, no Choc. santas or elves.

b) Wrapping Paper-
People usually buy tons of wrapping paper (find it at dollar stores)
and at the end of the year it just takes up room in a closet.
Send off that leftover wrapping paper to Toy for Tots.
They need plenty of wrapping paper as they start prepping gifts
for kids beginning in January.
Option No. 2- Women’s shelters and churches can also use that leftover
wrapping paper.

c) Holiday Cards-
You received dozens of cards and come Jan. you pack them up in a box
and put them away for next year. If that’s the case and you want to see
those cards do some good-donate them to St. Jude’s Ranch for Children.
They take old cards and redesign them into brand-new cards that they then sell
to the public with the proceeds going right back to the hospital.
Option No. 2-
Look at local retirement homes or kids’ centers, they may use the
cards for arts and crafts projects.

Now, it’s time to deal with food leftovers.
d) Candy Canes-
You may be familiar with the organization called Operation Gratitude,
it’s well-known for sending Halloween candy to our troops overseas.
So, if you’re sitting on a ton of candy canes or know someone (family
or friends) who are inundated with candy canes, go online to
OperationGratitude.com for info about donating.

e) Cookies-
This may not be the reality in a lot of households, (leftover cookies),
but if this describes your situation and you want to donate them,
take them to homeless or women’s shelters.
Option No. 2-
Send them off to Light of Life Rescue Mission, (LIghtOfLife.org),
which will give them to at- risk families.
One last reminder: Don’t forget that homeless and women’s shelters
can also use canned goods, boxed goods (perishables) and clothes,
so if you have any extra, donate them as well.

f) Toys-
A great way to teach your kids about compassion is to ask them to
gather all of the toys they aren’t using anymore and take them to a
homeless or women’s shelters. Make sure the toys are in
good condition and clean and donate them to kids who may not
receive anything.

g) Fruitcake-
No, that’s not a misprint, fruitcake the butt of many jokes
now has a purpose. That purpose: Used at food pantries
or food shelters. Many food shelters cut the cakes up and
serve them in the morning with coffee, tea and hot cocoa.
Find out more about donating fruitcakes by going online to
FeedingAmerica.org or WhyHunger.org.

Sources:
* Christmas Tree Association
* Humane Society
* Hunger Organizations

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The E-Doc also contains info on how to use apps and inside tips
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Thank-You from the creators of GroceryListsRxs.com.