December 4 | By Jaymi Firestone
For some, the holiday season is about family and food. For others, it’s about shopping and sales. For those who work with charitable organizations, there is hope that people will find it in their hearts, and wallets, to also make the season about giving back.
Something about the holidays makes us count our blessings and want to give back to our communities in some way. Studies have shown that 40% of donations given to charitable organizations happen during the holiday season. This is because it’s a time in our lives when we stop to appreciate what we have. We are given more through gifts, and it causes us to realize that many, more than we’d like to admit usually, aren’t so fortunate.
With social media so popular, and donations requested at every click of our mouse, it makes it easy to donate to charities all around the country.
Because of this, we often forget to make donations monetarily or voluntarily to the amazing charities in our own community.
Roosevelt and Curry Counties offer support to many in our area. These forms of support come with a more financial burden than many of us realize. So, while we are all receiving a little extra from Christmas bonuses and holiday gifts, take a moment to consider donating to any of the following organizations.
The Hartley House
The Hartley House is a safe haven for those seeking help to overcome domestic violence. Statistically, 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men will experience some form of domestic violence in their life. The Hartley House has been selflessly providing advocate support for survivors and their children in our area since 1979.
They offer a 24 hour Domestic Violence Crisis Hotline, shelter for survivors and their children, support groups, parenting and life skill groups, and much more.
If you’d like to volunteer your time, please contact their offices at (575)762-0050 to visit about where they can use you!
If you’d like to DONATE monetarily, you can do so by simply clicking HERE.
If giving funds isn’t your style, and you’d like to provide something tangible to this great organization, some items they are always in need of include:
- Toilet paper, paper towels, trash bags, & napkins
- Diapers (size 2 & up) and wipes
- Sweats (All Children & Adult Sizes)
- Women’s Underwear (All sizes)
- Socks (Adult Sizes)
- Pajamas (All Children & Adult Sizes)
- Soap (Laundry, dish, and hand)
- Lysol & Bleach
The Hartley House is located at 900 N. Main St. in Clovis and 100 S. Ave A in Portales.
Visit their Facebook by clicking HERE
FOR CRISIS SUPPORT, the number to call is (575)769-0305
High Plains Humane Society
The High Plains Humane Society (HPHS) is a local volunteer run organization who provide advocacy for stray animals. Their main purpose is to reduce animal cruelty and neglect. They house 30+ animals on any given day.
The hard working non-profit staff provides low-cost spay/neutering programs, pet adoptions, and education to pet owners about their responsibility to their animals.
Their entire goal at HPHS is to make the world a better place for our furry friends. Animals come in daily, and that means costs to continue providing care to these animals continues to rise.
They are always in need of donations from the community for their continued efforts to get as many animals off the streets and into forever homes as possible.
If you’d like to make a donation, please contact them via phone at (575)693-7973 or email at HPHS4nm@hotmail.com.
Pet adoptions are also a much needed part of what they do at HPHS, so if you’d prefer to become the loving forever home to one of the precious animals they are housing, please give them a call to set up a time to come by and see them.
Visit their Facebook by clicking HERE
Christian Children’s Home
The New Mexico Christian Children’s Home, located in Portales, opened its doors to help children and families in crisis in 1954.
In 1983, they added a program that helps single parents by providing housing, utilities, and other necessities over a 2-4 years, so they can learn to establish themselves and be able to fully support their family.
Today, they serve around 45 children in their residential homes. There are always needs when housing children and single parent families.
Volunteering your time is one way to help the Children’s Home, and you can do so by filling out the form HERE.
If you’d like to donate monetarily, please click HERE. There are several options for you to decide what area of the program you’d like to help with.
If you’re prefer to donate tangible items, they are in immediate need of the following items:
- 55 gallon trash bags
- Liquid laundry detergent
- Bath mats
- Shower curtains
- Shower rods
- Shower liners
Visit their website HERE for more information
Pregnancy Resource Center
The Pregnancy Resource Center of Eastern New Mexico has 2 locations, one in Portales and one in Clovis. Their services include pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, education about all things involving pregnancy options and how to parent/breastfeed. They also offer mentoring and loss support for miscarriage and infant loss.
Pregnancy affects not only the mother, but those in her life as well. The Pregnancy Resource Center strives to provide services to aid in all areas of pregnancy, so that women know all the information and have the proper mentoring and counseling to make the best decision for the future.
If you’d like to volunteer your time or make a donation, please contact their offices by clicking HERE, calling (575) 935-5433, or stopping by one of their offices.
Clovis – 621 N Main St
Portales – 1412 S Ave O, Ste A
The Portales Animal Shelter
Much like the Humane Society, the Portales Animal Shelter houses many stray animals that have been picked up in the area. The continual need for volunteers, funding, and adoptions, this is a wonderful area to donate your time and money.
They have cats and dogs available for adoption on a regular basis, and encourage residents to consider adopting rather than buying.
The Portales Animal Shelter is only staffed by 3 employees, so the more hands to help, the better.
They are also in need of animal beds similar to the one above. Here is a link to purchase them:
If you’d like more information about adopting or donating to the Animal Shelter, please contact them by calling (575) 356-4404 or visiting at 1700 N. Boston in Portales.
New Mexico Baptist Children’s Home
Founded in May of 1919, New Mexico Baptist Children’s Home is the longest continuously operating residential childcare facility in New Mexico. Their goal has always been to make a difference in the lives of the children in their care. Their dedicated staff is focused on the task of encouraging each child to become a well-adjusted and responsible individuals. This includes guiding children in their growth physically, mentally, spiritually, and socially.
Their current immediate needs include:
- Bed Pillows
- Twin Sized Sheets
- Batteries (AA, AAA, 9-volt, C, and D
They can always use volunteers and monetary donations. If you’d like more information or to donate, please call 575-359-1254.
You can also donate online by clicking HERE.
Lighthouse Mission
The Lighthouse Mission is located in Clovis, and serves the homeless and hungry in the area.
Lighthouse was founded in 1988 as a rescue mission for the area. They are solely supported by individuals and organizations in the area who believe in their mission to end homelessness and hunger.
The mission fights hunger 7 days a week by providing well-balanced meals to those in need. They provide 40,000+ meals a year to people in the community. This is only possible through donations from generous people like you.
They also offer a 6 month residential recovery program for both men and women fighting drug and alcohol addiction.
Lighthouse provides a homeless shelter to men, women, and children in emergent need of a place to stay. They realize that no one plans to be homeless, so having a warm place to stay is invaluable, and with generous donations, they are able to provide that.
The ways they ask that people in the area give is by the following:
- Volunteering
- Monetary Donations (Click HERE)
- Clothing Donations
- Household Items & Furniture Donations
- Organizing a Food, Blanket, or Clothing Drive
These are all wonderful! Please don’t forget the Red Kettle Campaign and all the money raised with that stays in Roosevelt County to help families in need throughout the year. Also, the ENMU Foundation is a nonprofit in Roosevelt County and has a new campaign called the Greyhound Meal Exchange that helps students with food insecurities. Every $8 helps to pay for a meal in the cafeteria. Additional funds helps with on campus students that are unable to travel home over the holiday break that will need food during that month. People can donate to this at http://www.enmu.edu/greyhoundmeals