Ways to Give Back On Halloween!

Did you know while you are having fun this Halloween you can also be giving back? Here are some ways you can give back:

1) Head to The Salvation Army or Goodwill for your costume. You'll save the money that you would spend on an expensive costume from a shop and you'll be supporting an organization that provides great benefits to lower-income households. This step is especially helpful if your planned Halloween costume is a 70s disco fanatic or indie hipster.

2) Donate candy to children and soldiers. Operation Gratitude sends care packages to members of the military and are happy to include leftover Halloween candy. Most of their packages can be shipped for $11 or less.

Most food banks collect leftover candy for children, and local schools often participate in post-Halloween collection as well. Call your local school district or food bank for available programs.

3) Take part in Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF. Since 1950, families across America have raised over $144 million for UNICEF by collecting money on Halloween. You can order an orange box to collect money through October 30 or make your own collection box.

4) Participate in Sight Night. Every Halloween, Lions Club International hosts a fundraiser for eyeglasses. On Sight Night (Halloween), trick-or-treaters are encouraged to ask for used eyeglasses to give to the needy (it helps if you put up fliers or notify your neighborhood first).

5) Support A Cause Through SocialVibe's Click4Good campaign. This online trick-or-treating game allows users to give clean water to developing nations, provide care to children affected by AIDS, or contribute to cancer research, just through the act of clicking.

6) If you want to give back but aren't sure where to begin, using AllForGood.org's search tool can narrow down volunteer opportunities in your area. Enter your zip code and then search for Halloween.

7) Host a Halloween Party for a nonprofit. Whether it's human rights, free clinics, the environment, or homelessness, a Halloween party is a great way to support your cause of choice. Tell your guests to forgo the bottle of wine and bring $10 instead to go into a collection box. Get into the spirit by dressing up as your favorite changemaker. (Nicholas Kristof is the trendiest costume this year).


Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/26/7-ways-to-give-back-on-ha_n_333306.html