Spirit of Giving: 10 Nonprofits To Support In Westfield

WESTFIELD, NJ — It's easy to find a charity. Swing a stick and you'll hit some organization, somewhere, raising money for some cause. But many want to keep it truly local, and help the neighbors around you or the charities that operate right in your community.

Celebrated on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving (in the U.S.) #GivingTuesday kicks off the charitable season on Nov. 28. Since its inaugural year in 2012, #GivingTuesday has become a movement that celebrates and supports giving and philanthropy with events throughout the year and a growing catalog of resources, said the organization.

Here is a list of 10 nonprofit organizations operating or helping in and around Westfield. Learn more about them.

1. Homeless Animal Rescue Team: A no-kill, non-profit rescue, dedicated to the care and forever placement, of abandoned, adoptable animals for life.
2. Liam's Room: Liam’s Room funds the education of health care providers on the implementation of pediatric palliative care by attending seminars, conferences and training programs throughout the country.
3. CASA of Union County: Since 2005, Court Appointed Special Advocates of Union County has been recruiting, training, supervising and supporting community volunteers to advocate for abused, neglected and abandoned children placed in foster homes or residential facilities. CASA volunteers ensure children’s best interests remain the priority while working toward establishing a safe, stable and permanent home for each child served.
4. NJ Sharing Network: NJ Sharing Network is the non-profit organization responsible for the recovery and placement of donated organs and tissue for those in need of a life-saving transplant.
5. SAGE Eldercare: SAGE is a nonprofit organization committed to being the leading provider of programs and services to meet the changing needs of older adults, their families, and caregivers.
6. Bonds of Courage: Bonds of Courage is a non-profit organization honoring the courage and commitment of the brave armed service personnel who serve in the military, wherever they are stationed, wherever they are from, in times of both peace and war.
7. Family Promise: Family Promise helps families experiencing homelessness attain sustainable independence.
8. Center For Hope Hopice & Palliative Care: The Center brings its patients a quality of life that actively supports the individual’s right to live with dignity and in comfort, surrounded by the love of family and friends.
9. Home For Good Dogs: A 100 percent foster-based dog rescue that rescues homeless dogs from high-kill shelters in the South, which are overflowing with unwanted dogs on the brink of being euthanized.
10. Summit Animal Rescue Association (SARA, Inc.): A non-profit organization that rescues cats or any animal in need, provide them with medical attention, rehabilitate them, and provide a temporary loving environment until a permanent home is found through adoption.

What nonprofit do you support? Tell us about it in the comments section.

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