Season of Giving: How to honor your loved one through charitable giving
By: Lauren Griffith
The holiday season is here, and it’s a wonderful time to consider giving to those in need.
During this season, when we are fortunate to be surrounded by loved ones and make fond memories, it’s important to remember those less fortunate than us and keep them in our hearts and minds.
Many people consider the holiday months to be the “season of giving;” a time to donate to a charitable cause that means a lot to them. If you’ve lost a loved one, the season of giving is a perfect time to make a charitable donation in their name to a cause that meant a lot to them.
When selecting a charitable organization to donate to in honor of your loved one, consider the causes that were near and dear to their hearts. Suppose childhood cancer or illnesses are a cause they supported and cared heavily about during their lifetime. In that case, a local children’s hospital or foundation can be a great cause to donate to.
A diverse group of cheerful volunteers work together at a food bank soup kitchen.
Stuhr Funeral Home is a proud supporter of The Ronald McDonald House Charleston, the local branch of the Ronald McDonald House Charities. The Ronald McDonald House’s mission is to create compassionate environments and programs that provide families the best chance of success in caring for their child with complex medical needs.
The RMHC provides housing, meals, and other necessary household items to families whose child is experiencing care for a severe illness. You can donate at rmhcharleston.org.
Or perhaps your passed loved one was a veteran, and you are looking for a local veteran’s organization or association to support.
Charity workers packing donated food into crates in a distribution warehouse, working for homeless and disadvantaged people on a charity drive at Christmas
The Fisher House Charleston, a local organization for the families of veterans receiving care at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Health Care System, is another organization Stuhr Funeral Home partners with.
The Fisher House offers families of veterans a comfortable and safe home while they are getting care at the VA. Veterans and their loved ones don’t have to worry about a commute, temporary housing expenses, or being separated for extended periods while undergoing treatment as the foundation provides housing only a few blocks from the medical facility. You can donate at fisherhouse.org.
If your loved one was an avid animal lover, you can select a local humane society or animal care organization to donate money to, or you can make donations of pet food, beds, toys, or other necessities during the holiday season. Charleston has many wonderful animal shelters and foundations, such as the Charleston Animal Society, Pet Helpers, and the Hallie Hill Animal Sanctuary.
If you do not have extra money to donate, the gift of your time is just as valuable. Volunteering at the animal shelter, children’s hospital, local assisted living facility, or soup kitchen are excellent ways to contribute to a local foundation and keep your loved one’s memory alive.
The holidays are a great time to donate or spend a day helping the less fortunate in any way you can. You’ll feel close to your loved one as you do something positive for your community and contribute to a cause that meant something to them.
Stuhr Funeral Home, a trusted name in funeral service for more than 150 years, cares for families of those whose lives have ended. Stuhr Funeral Home is committed to providing quality arrangements to honor loved ones and family traditions. For more information about available funeral services, visit JHenryStuhr.com or call (843) 723-2524.
