7 Ways to Give Back for the Holidays

1. Donate a Toy.

The will be hosting a “Toys for Tots” drive at the station, 242 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. from 3 to 8 p.m. on Saturday during . There will be a fire to warm your hands and hot cider to warm your insides. Everyone is invited to bring an unwrapped, sealed toy to the station. 

2. .

The Civic Club is holding a special holiday sale that will fund their scholarship offerings to high school seniors and their involvement in special projects for local organizations. The Civic Club Shoppe will offer unique, inexpensive gifts like knitted scarves, hats, fingerless gloves and other hand-crafted gifts. All of the items are donated by club members.

The Shoppe will be at several locations over the next few weeks:

• Saturday at from 3 to 8 p.m.

• Week of Nov. 27 at , 47 W Sierra Madre Blvd.

• Dec. 2-4 at , 78 W Sierra Madre Blvd. Hours vary: Friday 5- 8 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

3. Purchase Holiday Cards.

A portion of the proceeds from purchasing holiday cards online or through mail will support Union Station Homeless Services—San Gabriel Valley’s largest social services agency assisting homeless men, women, and children.

4. Donate a Popular Thanksgiving Food.

Take part in the center's Thanksgiving Distribution—giving food, funds and/or time—Monday through Wednesday at Ayers Hall at the LA County Arboretum in Arcadia.

Thanksgiving food items can be dropped off during the week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the organization’s Pasadena site located at 191 N. Oak Avenue. The items that are most needed include: turkeys, yams, salad dressing, cornbread mix, stuffing, vegetables, pumpkin pie filling and marshmallows. 

5. Provide Toys for Tots at this Golf Tournament.

Provide gifts for children in need this Christmas Toys for Tots Golf Tournament Dec. 11 at the Arroyo Seco Golf Course. The gift drop-off is from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. with the tee off at 10 a.m. The price per player is $15 for 18 holes. For more information, call (562) 677-7452. 

6. Adopt an Angel.

You can provide toys and clothing for kids—from newborns to teenagers—through the Foothill Unity Center. Participants of the program receive a handmade angel that includes a child’s name, age, clothing size and interests. Find more information here.

7. Cook a Meal for the Homeless. 

Grab a group of friends and make a dinner suitable for the five families living at Door of Hope in Pasadena. It's a transitional housing program for homeless families, and they're always in need of volunteers. Find out about more opportunities here. And here.