Show You Care Special: Heartfelt Holidays

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By Becky Ogann

Story Created: Dec 10, 2007 at 3:57 PM CST

Story Updated: Sep 4, 2008 at 2:01 PM CST

HEARTFELT HOLIDAYS - SHOW YOU CARE

KCRG-TV9 brings you a heartwarming look at how eastern Iowa communities show they care during the holiday season. From kids to soldiers, this special section is dedicated to the helping hands that shape the lives of others. To view it now, click on the video link at left.

Ways to Help Soldiers:

  • America Supports You - From the U.S. Department of Defense, how to help soldiers during holidays, and any day! Write thank yous to the troops.
  • Home of the Brave Quilts - Home of Operation Pillowcase, Operation Christmas Stockings, Home of the Brave Quilt Project and Operation Cuddle-ups.
  • Families United for Our Troops and Their Mission - Support military families, other groups and write letters to soldiers.
  • Soldiers' Angels - "May No Soldier Go Unloved" is their mission.
  • Iowa's Bravest - Provide support to our military personnel who are serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. They have been sending appreciation boxes to our brave servicemen and women since the beginning of the war in 2003.
 

Ways to Help Kids:

  • University of Iowa's Childrens' Hospital - Help the UI's Children's Hospital continue to provide full-spectrum care to children.
  • Child Life Specialists - Child life specialists seek to promote the continuation of normal childhood activity and development while children are in the hospital.
  • Children’s Miracle Network - Locally, Children's Miracle Network has raised over $21 million from individuals, corporations, businesses, and civic groups in this region and each dollar raised stays at University of Iowa Children's Hospital.
  • Ronald McDonald House - The Ronald McDonald House of Iowa City provides a "home away from home" for families with children receiving critical medical care in Iowa City.
  • The Christmas Toy Shop from Toys for Tots and Salvation Army - The Christmas Toy Shop is the new face for holiday toy giving in Cedar Rapids. By combining our resources, we can focus on what's most important: making sure that no child has to ask why Santa didn't visit their house.
 

Ways to Help Pets & Animals:
 

Ways to Help Seniors:

  • Be Santa to a Senior - Be a Santa to a Senior is an annual holiday gift program developed and sponsored by Home Instead Senior Care as a way to brighten the lives of North America's older adults during the holiday season.
  • HACAP Senior Services - Dine-in & home delivery meals, medical information,
    medical equipment loans, and some property maintenance services.
 

Food Pantries:
 

Other ways to Help Our Community and Beyond:

  • Warm for the Holidays and I CARE Program - Help those who can't afford to heat their home through MidAmerican Energy's service programs.  
  • The American Red Cross - Volunteer, donate and help near and far from home. 
  • The United Way of East Central Iowa - United Way of East Central serves groups and individuals in Benton, Cedar, Iowa, Jones, Linn and Washington counties.
  • Corridor Volunteers - Find what fits your schedule - Corridor Volunteers is an on-line matching service for volunteer opportunities in the Cedar Rapids/Iowa City Corridor.
  • The Salvation Army - Volunteer at a Red Kettle, create a Kettle Campaign Online - together, we are "Doing the Most Good" to warm the hearts and souls of those in need at Christmastime and year 'round.

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