How to Give Back to Your Community

Why not give a little back to your community this holiday season by volunteering or donating to some worthy causes. You'll feel good about your contribution in addition to helping those in need.

The , , and fire departments are constantly accepting new applications for membership. Qualifications for membership include: you must be at least 18 years old, you must be a citizen of the United States, you must pass a department sanctioned medical exam (at no cost to the applicant), you must successfully pass a criminal and arson background check, you must be willing to respond to alarms and attend required training, meetings, company and department functions. Benefits of membership include: enrollment in a retirement system, a tax exemption for all homeowners, emergency services training.

The  accepts donations of new and used books (they must be in excellent condition). You're recycling your read-through treasures and helping control costs at your local library.

The Kiwanis Club of the Five Towns meets every week to promote civic causes. It started in 1944 and boasts of being one of the most active community service organizations in the Five Towns.

The supports local agencies that provide services such as child care, after-school programs, senior services and mental health services.

is an organization dedicated to helping distressed Five Towns and Far Rockaway residents with numerous services. They accept donations here.

The and provide services to many Jews living in the Five Towns. Both depend on donations to continue supporting the community.

The American Red Cross offers emergency assistance, crisis preparedness, health and safety services, training courses and youth services to millions of Long Islanders. Make a donation online or become a volunteer.

Nassau County has joined the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve in collecting toys for needy children for the Toys for Tots program. Drop-off boxes for new, unwrapped toys will be located at 17 Nassau County locations through Dec. 20. Click for a list of drop-off locations available throughout Nassau County. 

The Salvation Army has a variety way of ways to give to programs that put food on tables, help the mentally and physically disabled, seniors, children and formerly middle-class people who have fallen on hard times. The easiest way to give is to toss spare change into a red kettle, usually found outside a grocery store. All money raised at red kettle sites stays in the community in which it is given.

Island Harvest is the largest hunger relief organization on Long Island. Their volunteers and staff collect, good surplus food from over 600 local restaurants, caterers, farms and other food-related businesses and distribute it to a network of close to 500 soup kitchens, food pantries, and other places where those in need can access it. They devote 97 cents of ever dollar donated to their programs. Monetary contributions are accepted, as well as food donations.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Long Island provides volunteer mentors to children in need of an additional positive and caring adult in their lives. Contact the Nassau County office located in Levittown at 731-7880 to volunteer or for more information. Online donations are also accepted here. To schedule a pick up for clothing, vehicle or furniture donations, call 631-234-0000.