Philanthropy: Five Ways to Give This Holiday

Why not give a charitable donation in honor of that special someone to his/her philanthropic choice?

Melissa Elmer, executive director of says more and more people are donating to charitable or non-profit organizations.

A few years back, someone could purchase a membership to the Community House. Now Elmer says people just want to give outside of annual campaign funds. You can even purchase a Community House water bottle as a token gift of appreciation. There are plenty of events, classes, seminars, lectures, music and entertainment for everyone at The Community House.

Support sustainability and local farm-to-table endeavors.

• Diana Rodgers - simply known as the farmer’s wife at in Hamilton - says families can give each other the gift of a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) share. The customer pays upfront and receives the bounty of harvest as it becomes available. Or, why not pick up one of the calendars made exclusively for Green Meadows customers? Gloucester photographer Paul Cary Goldberg - known for his work with the MFA - documented weekly work and life on the farm. Every month tells a story. The farm stand is open too for holiday decorating needs and you also can pick up a sweatshirt as a gift.

• “Moo”-ve on over to to check out the new retail dairy store. New England’s oldest continually operating farm laid claim to - one of the top award winning artisanal cheese makers. Fresh bottled Jersey-milk is now available and soon butter, cheeses, yogurt and at some point gelato. The milk is glass-bottled in partnership with . A gift certificate makes a nice gift and helps support the work of the community supported farm which is part of the Trustees of the Reservations. Don’t be alarmed if you see contractors building out the final store front. The temporary stand is still open for business.

Donate to your local food pantry

According to the latest government report released in September 2011, 17.2 million (or 14.5 percent of households, or about one in seven), were food insecure, the highest number ever recorded in the United States.

After the financial and economic downturn, many families in the Hamilton-Wenham communities were hit hard. Hamilton’s makes it easy to give. Simply log onto http://acordfoodpantry.org/donating.htm. You can give food items or you can donate financially.

Help support educational excellence

The Hamilton-Wenham Edfund is an independent and volunteer driven organization that provides grants and also proceeds from an endowment fund to further educational excellence in the .

“It’s parent-driven and has been around for about 20 years now,” says State Rep. Brad Hill.

You can give in honor of a named person. Go to http://hwedfund.org/about.htm to learn more about how you can donate.