It’s the time of year when consumerism ramps up, wish lists are long and shopping becomes the order of the day, for better or for worse.
But it’s also when many Northwest Florida residents reach out to those in need.
Donations fill shelves at local food pantries, neighbors help neighbors and strangers buy Christmas presents to put under someone else’s tree.
That’s why it seemed like the perfect time for the Daily News to ask charitable organizations to tell us what’s on their wish list this Christmas season.
More than 40 organizations responded. They requested everything from diapers and hand sanitizer to cash, gift cards, warm coats and toys.
Check out an online database of participating charities. >>
See more photos of people affected by local charitable organizations. >>
43 ways of giving this season:
OKALOOSA COUNTY
Destin
Harvest House: 850-650-8109
Why care: We work to suppress hunger and distribute to 40 programs.
Help: Money, refrigerators, coolers, cleaning supplies. Volunteers needed.
Mission Love Seeds: 850-865-1055
Why care: Children and families live in hunger, sickness and unsanitary conditions.
Help: Money for Christmas meal and houses. Volunteers needed.
Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation: 850-650-2226
Why care: We offer cultural experiences to children and families in our community.
Help: Money, art supplies, fencing. Volunteers needed.
Other’s Inc: 850-837-2021
Why care: Charity meets community needs.
Help: Money, food, jackets, bedding.
Fort Walton Beach
American Cancer Society: 850-244-3813
Why care: One out of three women and one out of two men will be diagnosed with cancer.
Help: Money. Volunteers needed.
Animal Protection League: 850-830-2909
Why care: Stray dogs and cats suffer from starvation, isolation and trauma in our neighborhoods.
Help: Money for spay/neuter surgeries. Volunteer grant writers, foster homes.
Catholic Charities: 850-244-2825
Why care: Many struggle with hunger, finances, emotions, crisis pregnancies and natural disasters.
Help: Money, food, diapers. Volunteers needed.
Children in Crisis: 850-864-4242
Why care: There is a shortage of foster homes in our community.
Help: Money to sustain programs, food, clothing for children 6 to 18, gift cards for outings. Volunteers needed.
Children’s Home Society of Florida: 850-833-3872
Why care: They embrace children and inspire lives.
Help: Christmas presents, fast food gift cards.
Eleanor J Johnson Youth Center: 850-244-5991
Why care: This after-school and summertime program can make a difference in Fort Walton Beach.
Help: Money, snacks, Kleenex, hand sanitizer, cleaning supplies, hats, gloves, socks. Volunteers needed.
Family Life Ministries of NWFL: 850-243-5800
Why care: Provides pregnant women with tools and resources that make a difference in the lives of children.
Help: Donation of $50 provides 12 meals, baby items, towels, dishes. Volunteers needed.
Fort Walton Family YMCA: 850-863-9622
Why care: The Y focuses on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.
Help: Money, books for ages 5-12, paper products, office supplies. Angel Tree tags. Volunteers needed.
Fort Walton Beach High School: 850-833-3300 x1811
Why care: Provides food and clothes to children without resources.
Help: Gift certificates, money, new toys, clothes, puzzles, games.
Fresh Start for Children and Families: 850-243-5648
Why care: We give hope to families by giving a hand up.
Help: Money. Volunteers needed.
Horizons, The Arc of the Emerald Coast: 850-863-1530
Why care: Individuals with disabilities can make progress and contribute to the welfare of the community.
Help: Gift cards, wheelchairs, adult tricycles, electronics, flooring, vehicles. Volunteers needed at “The Giving Trees” Dec. 7.
Meals on Wheels: 850-833-9165
Why care: Prep, package and deliver food to the frailest amongst us.
Help: Money. Volunteer to deliver meals.
Mental Health Association of Okaloosa/Walton: Christmas Project Cheer: 850-244-1040
Why care: Mental illness affects one in four people.
Help: Money, socks, knit hats, washcloths, pocket T-shirts, pens, hand sanitizers, tissue packages. Volunteers needed.
OASIS: 850-314-0950
Why care: AIDS robs the community of talent and future leaders as it affects young people.
Help: Money, grocery gift cards for holiday gift bags. Volunteers needed.
Okaloosa/Walton Homeless Continuum of Care Opportunity: 850-409-3070
Why care: The organization is dedicated to the elimination of homelessness.
Help: Food, hygiene products, bedding supplies. Volunteers needed.
Opportunity Inc: 850-409-3070
Why care: Forty-four percent of the homeless in Okaloosa and Walton counties are under 18.
Help: Money, diapers, toilet paper, towels, cleaning supplies, hygiene items, non-perishable food. Volunteers needed.
Playground Music Center: 850-243-2514
Why care: Kindness goes a long way.
Help: Toy donations.
Salvation Army of Walton/Okaloosa: 850-243-4531
Why care: Gives people resources to get on their feet.
Help: Drop money in red kettles outside area businesses, canned goods, adopt an angel. Volunteers needed.
Sharing & Caring: 850-244-0778
Why care: High unemployment and food cost increasing.
Help: Money, canned goods, bottled beverages, cereal, peanut butter, baby formula. Volunteers needed.
Shelter House: 850-243-1201; 850-863-4777 (24/7 hotline)
Why care: One in four women will experience domestic violence.
Help: Money, gift cards, household items, hygiene products. Volunteers needed.
United Way of Okaloosa/Walton: Coats for Kids Drive: 850-243-0315
Why care: We are helping children keep warm this winter.
Help: Money, new or gently used coats for children of all ages. Volunteers needed.
Laurel Hill
Almarante Volunteer Fire Department: 850-307-2540
Why care: We’re gathering food for the holidays.
Help: Drop off non-perishable food items at the fire department or Piggly Wiggly in Florala.
Mary Esther
Cold Night Shelter: 850-642-2322
Why care: We are all just one paycheck away from being homeless.
Help: Money, blankets, warm clothes. Volunteers needed.
Niceville
Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Center: 850-833-9237
Why care: We can bring hope and healing to restore childhoods once lost.
Help: Money, gift cards, diapers, wipes, snacks, juice boxes, art supplies, pajamas, toys, gifts for teenagers. Adopt a family. Volunteers needed.
Sharing and Caring: 850-678-8459
Why care: We feed the hungry and provide financial aid.
Help: Money, non-perishable food, hygiene items, diapers, unwrapped toys. Volunteers needed.
Shalimar
Judge Ben Gordon, Jr. Family Visitation Centers: 850-609-1850
Why care: Provides a setting where a parent and child can build their relationship.
Help: Looking for individuals to adopt a room or project for new home in Crestview. Volunteers needed.
First Circuit Guardian ad Litem Program: 850-609-5467, 850-689-5060, 850-892-8676
Why care: Advocacy teams fight so abused children have a voice when they are most vulnerable.
Help: Donations can be made to the Northwest Florida Guardian ad Litem Foundation. Volunteers needed.
WALTON COUNTY
DeFuniak Springs
The Walton Okaloosa Council on Aging: 850-892-8165
Why care: Helps the older population remain independent in their homes.
Help: Incontinence items, canned food, gift cards. Volunteers needed.
Freeport
Alaqua Animal Refuge: 850-880-6399
Why care: The Refuge believes every abused, neglected and homeless animal deserves a second chance.
Help: Money, items to donate on alaquaanimalrefuge.org. Volunteers needed.
City of Freeport Holiday Fund: 850-835-2192
Why care: Help underprivileged members of the Freeport community.
Help: Donations can be made payable to Town Planters Society; non-perishable food, new toys.
Santa Rosa Beach
Caring and Sharing of South Walton: 850-267-2866
Why care: Helps less fortunate families survive in hard times.
Help: Money, non-perishable food, items for resale. Volunteers needed.
Children’s Volunteer Health Network: 850-622-3200
Why care: We assist uninsured and underinsured children with free medical, dental and mental health care.
Help: Money, children’s toothbrushes, dental floss. Volunteers needed.
Food For Thought Outreach: 850-290-4056
Why care: We work to fill the meal gap in children’s lives so they can develop and grow.
Help: Donate online, drop food off at locations listed online. Volunteers needed.
South Walton Fire District: 850-267-1298
Why care: Assists families by providing Christmas gifts to children that may otherwise not receive any.
Help: Money. Choose a child or family at fire station.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Milton
United Way of Santa Rosa County: 850-623-4507
Why care: Equips and sustains the community through programs and assistance.
Help: Money, school supplies. Volunteers needed.
Navarre
United for Good: 850-368-3505
Why care: Promotes the spirit of service, giving and unity in youth.
Help: Money, new toys. Volunteers needed.
Pace
Mission Pace: 850-516-2148
Why care: Provides goods to families in need through free yard sale, provides a new toy to each child.
Help: Money, gently used items, new toys.
Escambia County (but serving all of Northwest Florida)
Pensacola
American Red Cross of Northwest Florida: 850-432-7601
Why care: We aspire to turn compassion into action so that people affected by disaster receive care and shelter.
Help: Money. Volunteers needed.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida: 850-664-5437
Why care: An opportunity to help shape a child’s future for the better.
Help: Money. Volunteers needed.
Ronald McDonald House: 850-477-2273
Why care: Here to help families when their child is sick unexpectedly or for a prolonged time.
Help: Money. Volunteers needed.