The Holidays: A Time to Give
With holidays fast approaching, Taos is looking forward to celebrating the season spirit with family, friends, and neighbors. This time is a chance to pause and reflect upon what makes Taos a special place and to make annual donations to community organizations working to improve all of our lives.
Angel Tree Project
Unfortunately, many children can’t fully enjoy the holidays. Because of this, for the last 26 years Community Against Violence (CAV) has kicked off the season with the Angel Tree Project. As the old saying goes, “We're making a list and checking it twice.” CAV’s “angels” are children of all ages whose lives have been affected by sexual and domestic violence and who won’t have presents this year without your help.
This is your opportunity to spread hope, the spirit of giving, and holiday cheer to these over 500 children. Because of staffing shortages in the pandemic’s wake, this year CAV needed to modify the Angel Tree and take in gift cards instead of coordinating other presents. We know it isn't as personal as choosing an Angel, buying and wrapping gifts – we will return to that next year. But your gift card donation will mean the world to the children who may not otherwise have any gifts.
Gift cards, or donations for gift cards, can be dropped off at CAV’s main offices (945 Salazar Road, Taos) through December 16th. Suggested donation card amounts are $30 for children ages 0-7, $40 for ages 8-12, and $50 for teens 13+. Donations can also be made online at TaosCAV.org.
The Angel Tree is just one way to make donations during the holiday season.
Fasken Foundation Match
CAV is once again honored that the Fasken Foundation has issued a generous challenge grant to further help our community. They will match all donations dollar-for-dollar up to $20,000 by December 31st. That means your donations to CAV (TaosCAV.org) will be doubled by the Fasken Foundation's generosity.
For a truly thoughtful gift, consider donating to CAV in your loved one’s name – CAV will send a card or email letting them know of your special gift.
Shopping to Give Back
While shopping locally, remember to shop first with CAV’s Business Sponsors (listed at TaosCAV.org) who support critical programs!
And at CAV’s Thrift Store (1509 Paseo del Pueblo Sur, Taos, across from the Sagebrush) you can get the original UFO-cow sign fun iconic gifts of t-shirts, mugs, hoodies, totes, and more.
When shopping online at Smile.Amazon.com (not the main Amazon page), designate “Community Against Violence” as your charity. Amazon will automatically donate a portion of proceeds (at no cost to you) to CAV from every eligible purchase you make.
It's especially heart-wrenching to see a family who isn’t able to put enough food on the table, not only during the holidays but all year round. We ask Taoseños to dig deep this year so these organizations can continue the essential work they do locally:
- The Shared Table (ElPueblitoUMC.org) distributes food every 2nd and 4th Wednesday at El Pueblito United Methodist Church in El Prado from 11am-noon, and the Talpa Community Center (same days), 2-3pm.
- St. James Episcopal Church Food Pantry (StJamesTaos.org) distributes bags of food every Thursday, from 12:30pm-4pm.
- Taos Feeds Taos (TaosFeedsTaos.org) provides holiday food baskets to more than 1,100 families in need
- Carson, Chamisal, Peñasco/Picuris, and Questa also have food pantries. Find contact information at TheFoodDepot.org.
Wishing you safe and peace-filled holidays!
Malinda Williams is the executive director of Community Against Violence (CAV) which offers FREE confidential support and assistance for child and adult survivors of sexual and domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and child/elder abuse; community and school violence prevention programs; re-education groups for people using power and control in their relationships; counseling; shelter; transitional housing; and community thrift store. To talk or get information on services, call CAV’s 24-hour HELPline at 575-758-9888 or 24-hour TEXTline 575-770-2706. TaosCAV.org
