I love, love, love this time of year. Wow, it always makes me smile when I think about Thanksgiving and Christmas time. I love the magic of the Holidays and everyone getting together and enjoying good food and drink and it's such a good time to year to give to the charities and people in need. I am opting out of gift buying this year and instead I am choosing to give the money that I would have spent on gifts (well, some will end up with shoes, but still) to give to these charities/causes instead:
We can make a difference if we try. "You must be the change you wish to see in the world". ~Mahatma Ghandi
Check them out:
1. Ocean and beach protection through the non-profit Surfrider Foundation -
Oregon Surfrider Foundation ![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPYvB4Sa09hOnbiraMfsZHkd3gk-wWjOTr3JLpfIuJzWAVPPqA1RtRgxKnfjxKX1psdzcnk9trasmHP-yCxe5xnTtkJxizVkxU4UDkLC4OAi8Fcw9O-PPOVeO075I-8pDkAZmUnYiDYXJB/s400/oldlogo.jpg)
2. One for One Campaign with TOMS shoes -
TOMS Shoes![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi51jbUSrd1-kYwOy01IhY_9szmSsgibFGXCsTwNpJBnHkIImQfRdLb1f5yo3L9T7w3EvzVd6XgaOCM0cwtbPGi-W-0qZUn9f2bMBLGgUbf-UraVAKZHKwU303lgLHOliwmeQz37XQe8QHL/s400/blackcanvasclassic-side.jpg)
3. Genocide intervention through the Save Darfur Coalition -
Save Darfur Coalition