7 Easy Ways to Give Back This Season in Beverly

While the holidays can be both busy and stressful, they also are a time for helping others and giving back to the community.

Wondering what you can do this season with your family, your co-workers, or by yourself to help someone in need?

Here are some easy suggestions:

1. Beverly Police Department's Toy Drive will be held on Saturday, Dec. 8 at the North Beverly Shopping Plaza from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Drop off a new unopened and unwrapped toy or game for a needy child in the Beverly area.

2. Leslie S. Ray Holiday Food Drive: From now until Dec. 19, the staff at Leslie S. Ray Insurance Agency are collecting canned goods and other non-perishable food items to be distributed by Beverly Bootstraps.

3. Taste and Style: Step out on the town, Friday, Dec. 14 from 6:30-8:30pm. Marinos Cafe & The Beverly Bootstraps Thrift Shop are partnering to host an enjoyable evening of holiday shopping and delicious food. Tickets can be purchased on the evening of the event at the Beverly Bootstraps Thrift Shop. Admission is $7 and includes a holiday shopping coupon. $2 from each ticket will go to the services of Beverly Bootstraps.

4. Franson Family Chiropractic Annual Gift Drive to support HAWC:  Franson Family Chiropractic will be holding its Annual Holiday Gift Drive to support Healing Abuse, Working for Change (HAWC) The proceeds from all of the new patient exams between Dec. 3-17, and New Patient Exams to give as a gift to a loved one, will be donated. 

5. Friends of Beverly Animals Calendar: The Friends of Beverly Animals 2013 Calendar features more than 100 color photos of pets who were rescued and placed by FOBA or who belong to our supporters and friends. Copies may be purchased ($12 each) at Beverly Wild Bird & Pet Supply or at Casa de Moda, which benefits the organization's cause.  

6. Toys for Tots has more than 25 drop-off locations in Beverly. Donors are asked to give new, unwrapped toys with non-violent themes, designed for either boys or girls, ages newborn to 18.

7. Liberty Tree Mall's Giving Garden: This holiday season five different trees at the mall will be dedicated to five local charities/organizations: Haven for Hunger, Operation Troop Support, Salvation Army Angel Tree, Toys for Tots, and Hyundai Village of Danvers. Each tree will contain ornaments of wishes specific to the charities/organizations which shoppers can chose from, purchase the item listed on the ornament, and it will then be distributed to the appropriate charity/organization. Help bring a smile to those in need this holiday season and take a walk through Liberty Tree Mall's Giving Garden.

If you know of a great way to give back in town this holiday season, please share it in the comments, post an announcement, or add an event to our calendar.