Hey there, Siren fans! I can hardly believe that Thanksgiving is coming up in just a few days! Ever since the beginning of November Christmas lights have been popping up all over my neighborhood but it still seems like it’s all gotten here so quickly.
What’s not too early is The Sin City Siren’s annual Mindful Giving charity and gift list (last year’s list)!
While I joyfully abstain on Buy Nothing Day (otherwise known as Black Friday), I do enjoy making my (all too few) gift-giving and charitable dollars count once I start my holiday shopping. And I suspect that many Siren readers agree, judging by the popularity of my annual list (which I compile out of the goodness of my heart and do not get a penny, swag or other benefit from doing.) The list includes many gifts that donate proceeds to reputable charities. And, as always, I especially love gifts or donation opportunities that benefit causes that are directly in-line with Siren values: equality, reproductive rights, the environment and of course prevention/help for domestic violence and sexual violence survivors and more.
This year I want to give you a chance to chime in and vote for charities you care about before the list comes out! The deadline is this Friday, Nov. 27 (I hope to get the list up by the end of the weekend). Post your picks in comments to this post or send me an e-mail.
Let’s make each gift of the holiday season extra-special!
The Sin City Siren 
As many know, I have worked in the field of sexual violence prevention, crisis response and victim advocacy for over ten years. For the past two years, I have worked as Outreach Education Manager and Advocate for Family and Child Treatment of Southern Nevada. We are a non-profit agency dedicated to helping Nevadans heal from the traumas of abuse, neglect, violence and addiction through education, prevention and counseling services. No client is turned away due to inability to pay. The holidays are especially difficult for the children, families and adults that receive our services. We are currently in need of children’s toys, ages 4 – 11, both boys and girls. We also need clean socks, underwear, undershirts and hygiene items for that same population. We are always seeking donations of food that is easily kept – dry goods, packaged, etc. Since we run a Level 1 Outpatient Life Choices Group with teens, we are in need of all things that teens eat, and eat, and eat. Really, there isn’t anything we’d turn away, and if we cannot use it, I promise I will find someone who will. Happy holidays.
Until the violence ends,
Miranda Smith
Outreach Education Manager
Family and Child Treatment of Southern Nevada
702.258.5855 ext. 224 office
702.375.0532 cellular
Local: I really like giving a gift to the Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth during the holidays.
Global: Heifer International allows you to gift a stake in an animal (or several animals) for an impoverished farmer or family.