Christmas Charity and Teenagers

During the Christmas season, while many people are out buying gifts for loved ones, they are also thinking of charity, what they can do to help the less fortunate during the holiday season.

In my town, the Salvation Army bellringers are out at Wal Mart and I'm seeing Toys for Tots bins all over town.  I remember on my last job, we had a Toys for Tots bin in the lobby each year, and we always collected a lot of toys for little kids.

But I've noticed that no one is collecting Christmas gifts for teenagers from poor families.  Underprivileged teens are largely overlooked by such charity efforts, which I think is wrong.  Yes, they're not little kids who need or want toys, but they're not adults yet, either.  Christmas without presents is just as miserable for a teenager as it would be for a younger child.

For those giving to charity this year to help make Christmas brighter for poor families, please don't forget the teens when you're giving to their younger siblings.  Gifts of CDs, DVDs, grooming products, video games, gift certificates to clothing stores that cater to teens, such as Hot Topic or the Gap, and so on, will go a long way to making Christmas better for such teens in your area.

Thoughts?