Now that you’re (hopefully) finishing up your holiday shopping, grabbing those last great gifts and stocking stuffers for the kids on your list, it’s a great time to think about making donations to the people and organizations that are dedicated to bettering the world and enriching the lives of others.
Here at The Inspired Treehouse, we have a particular sweet spot for organizations that inspire activity, engagement, and exploration in kids of all ages and abilities. If you’re looking for an awesome place to make a donation this holiday season and if promoting healthy development for all kids is near and dear to your heart, we’ve got 9 awesome organizations that could use your support!
1 || Girls on the Run — “Empower a girl, change the world”
This organization inspires girls to be joyful, healthy and confident using a fun, experience-based curriculum which creatively integrates running.
2 || GiGi’s Playhouse — “Educate, Inspire, Believe”
Gigi’s Playhouse is all about achievement, belief and confidence for children and adults with Down Syndrome and other diagnoses. Playhouses across the country offer 30 educational and therapeutic programs at no charge to families.
3 || Dancing Wheels — “The Celebration of the SPIRIT of Dance”
“If dance is an expression of the human spirit, then it is best expressed by people of all abilities.” Dancing Wheels is a professional, physically integrated dance company uniting the talents of dancers both with and without disabilities.
4 || Kaboom — “Play Matters”
KaBOOM! works to bring balanced and active play into the daily lives of all children, particularly those growing up in poverty in America. KaBOOM! creates great places to play (like awesome playgrounds) and inspires communities to promote and support play for kids.
5 || Playworks — “We believe in the power of play to bring out the best in every kid’
Playworks’ vision is that one day every child in America will get to play—every day. This organization promotes the power of safe, fun, and healthy play at school and is the leading national nonprofit leveraging the power of play to transform children’s social and emotional health.
6 || Action For Healthy Kids — “Every kid healthy, active and ready to learn.”
Action for Healthy Kids works to ensure that every kid is healthy, active and ready to learn. This organization mobilizes school professionals, families, and communities to take actions that lead to healthy eating, physical activity and healthier schools where kids thrive.
7 || Timbernook — “The ULTIMATE Sensory Experience” — http://www.timbernook.com/
TimberNook intricately weaves the therapeutic aspects of nature with a unique understanding of child development to create an outdoor program that supports every aspect of the growing child. TimberNook’s main focus is on how the natural environment enriches and even supports the developing child. Submit a message on their contact page to inquire about sponsoring a child or group of children to attend a Timbernook camp!
8 || Special Olympics — “The joy of sport, every day, everywhere.”
The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.
9 || Outward Bound — “Emphasizing High Achievement Through Active Learning, Character Development and Teamwork.”
Outward Bound is a non-profit educational organization and expedition school that serves people of all ages and backgrounds through challenging learning expeditions that inspire self-discovery, both in and out of the classroom.
Let us know if you decide to make a donation to any of these great organizations! We’d love to hear from you!
