Give the gift of giving this season

There’s nothing like the satisfied contentment that comes with that large Thanksgiving meal or watching the excited face of a child as he or she digs into a bulging stocking on Christmas morning.

As the Valley gears up for another holiday season, a bustling time of fellowship, shopping and making merry, we’re reminding again of joy that comes from the act of giving. Thinking of family, friends and coworkers, we enjoy baking cookies, fruitcake and searching for that perfect white-elephant gift that will be the talk of the office for the next 11 months.

This is also the time we start to see those annual donation drives revving up for Valley nonprofits. Everyone from Boys and Girls Clubs and United Way to local churches to Valley food banks recognize the holidays as the perfect time to remind us of how we can help those in our community who aren’t as fortunate.

Don’t dismiss these requests. These are vital services that enhance the quality of life for the Mat-Su and all who live here. Food banks provide a wonderful and life-sustaining service all year, and are stretched the most during the holidays. Other local nonprofits depend heavily on the generosity of their neighbors to make the holidays a successful fund-raising time that will sustain them throughout another year.

We know the economy hasn’t been booming in the Valley of late and many are making their holiday lists and checking them twice against their budgets. Consider giving the gift of giving this season as well. Along with the small toys, candies and fruit that typically fill a child’s stocking, include a $5 voucher and a list of local nonprofits the child can choose to give that money to. It’s a wonderful way to teach children about the importance of giving back and allow them to be part of that process.

If you’re unsure about how to spread your family’s charitable donations, consider the Permanent Fund Dividend’s Pick.Click.Give program. Through Pick.Click.Give, you can choose to give any portion of your upcoming PFD disbursement to deserving Valley nonprofits. It’s also a good way to spread donations to a wide variety of groups.

Whether you contribute or volunteer to serve food at the annual Christmas Friendship Dinner or give through a favorite charity’s annual giving campaign, don’t forget to include those most deserving in our Valley this holiday season.