After Black Friday & Cyber Monday comes Giving Tuesday. The holidays are a great time to start giving back to your community. While you may be decking the halls and preparing for holiday parties, there are a lot of people who need simple things like food, shelter, and gifts for their children. Giving back is simple and something you can do with your kids! We’ve compiled a list of events, places where you can volunteer and ways you can donate in the Beaumont area.
Events
Boys Haven Breakfast With Santa
Saturday, December 19, 8:00 am - 10:00 am
Edison Plaza
350 Pine Street
Beaumont, Tx 77701
Two things kids love: Pancakes and Santa! Bring the kids to meet Santa and have breakfast! Tickets are $12 each, with all proceeds going to Boys Haven.
Tree of Angels Lighting
December 8, 6:00 pm
Jefferson County Courthouse
1149 Pearl St
Beaumont, Tx 77701
The Tree of Angels is a beautiful tribute to those impacted by crime in our area. The Coalition for Victims of Violent Crime is sponsoring the 15th annual Tree of Angels. Angel ornaments will be placed on the tree to honor those lost to crime. The event is open to the public and a reception will follow the tree lighting.
Family Box Day
December 12, 8:30 am - 11:00 am
Southeast Texas Food Bank
3845 S ML King Jr. Parkway
Beaumont, Tx 77705
Teach your kids about giving back to others by having them pitch in to help! On Family Box Day, the Southeast Texas Food banks make 1,000 boxes of food that go out on the mobile pantry program each month. The warehouse transforms into an assembly line, with volunteers helping. Register here through this link and if you are a new volunteer please set up a profile first.
Red Kettle Campaign
various locations around town
Salvation Army Red Kettle
It wouldn’t be the holidays without hearing that Salvation Army kettle bell ringer. Have change ready to drop into the kettle when you see one outside a business in the area. You can also show your kids a video to explain where the money from the Kettle Campaign goes. The Salvation Army has a few videos here including a profile of single moms who needed help and a look at how families in need were given shelter and food. You can also donate online using this link.
Giving Back: Toy Drives
Some Other Place: The Giving Tree
Parkdale Mall
6155 Eastex Fwy
Beaumont, Tx 77706
Some Other Place is an organization that helps the needy in the southeast Texas area. The Giving Tree program provides toys and other needs to 1,000 children and 300-400 seniors. You choose a card from the tree and fulfill the wish written on the card. The main Giving Tree is set up in the Food Court area of Parkdale Mall. Area businesses and churches are also serving as donation locations.
Toys For Tots
Toys R Us
5910 Eastex Fwy
Beaumont, Tx 77708
Toys for Tots is a nationwide organization that provides children with toys. You can drop off unwrapped toys at Toys R Us in Beaumont from now until Christmas Eve. Social or caseworkers come to one of the distribution centers during December and pick 3 toys out for each child and bring them to Foster parents to wrap and give the kids on Christmas morning.
The Angel Tree program helps around 1,000 children in Beaumont and southeast Texas each year. The Salvation Army provides toys, clothing, or other wish list items to families. Donations are going on now until December 16th. The gifts will be handed out on December 17th. There are several businesses, churches, and other organizations that are also serving as drop-off locations for the Angel Tree drive. If you are interested in volunteering, contact the Salvation Army office in Beaumont at 409-896-2361.
Ways You Can Volunteer
- Help deliver or prepare food for the Beaumont Meals on Wheels program. (seniormeals.org)
- Prepare and serve meals with the Catholic Charities of Beaumont. (catholiccharitiesbmt.org)
- Volunteer to be a foster grandparent to children in need through the Southeast Texas Regional Planning Commission. (setrpc.org)
- Grab a hammer and tool belt! Take part in a building project with Habitat for Humanity. You can also donate building materials and supplies to the Habitat Restore. (habitat.org)
- Organize, sort and box up food donated to the Southeast Texas Food Bank. (setxfoodbank.org)
- Volunteer with the Julie Rogers Gift of Life Program. (giftoflifebmt.org/volunteer)
Places that Need Donations
The Humane Society of Southeast Texas
2050 Spindletop Ave
Beaumont, Tx 77705
Specific Needs: Purina brand dog and cat food only, dog toys, cat beds.
Anayat House
1025 N 14th Street
Beaumont, Tx 77702
Specific Needs: Individually wrapped snacks, breakfast items, water bottles, toilet paper, paper towels, dish soap, stamps, paper plates, cups, and bowls. Anayat House is a non-profit organization providing overnight accommodations for family members of patients at local hospitals.
The Oaks at Beaumont
4195 Milam St
Beaumont, Tx 77707
Specific Needs: Socks, lotions, pajamas, and blankets for residents in their assisted living facility.
Hope Women’s Resource Clinic
3740 Laurel Ave
Beaumont, Tx 77707
Specific Needs: Donations for the Blessing Boutique.
Buckner Children & Family Services
9055 Manion Dr
Beaumont, Tx 77706
Specific Needs: Board games, puzzles, craft items, sports balls, gift cards for restaurants or grocery stores. Buckner also has a program, Shoes for Orphan Souls, that collects shoes for kids. You can organize a shoe drive any time of the year.
Family Services of Southeast Texas
3550 Fannin
Beaumont, Tx 77701
Specific Needs: Help with carpentry and landscaping around the Family Services facilities.
Verizon Wireless Beaumont (all locations)
4125 Dowlen Road
Beaumont, Tx 77706
Specific Needs: Donate old cell phones to support victims of domestic violence.
Baptist Hospitals of Southeast Texas
3080 College Street
Beaumont, Tx 77701
Specific Needs: Donate DVDs or books for people staying in the hospital to use.
Other Ways to Give Back
- Write letters or have the kids make cards for US Military members or veterans. (soldierangels.org)
- Bring restaurant gift cards by a local police or fire station.
- Bring a card or cookies to a neighbor you have never met before.
- Leave a small gift in the mailbox for the mail carrier.
The holidays are a great time to give back to your community, but you don’t need to stop there. Executive Director of Some Other Place, Paula O’Neal encourages people to help other times too. “Make a commitment to be a help in your community throughout the entire year,” said O’Neal.
Let us know if you have other ideas and ways to help out the Beaumont community!
