With the start of the new year, there is pressure to make a resolution which would better oneself if they were to follow through with it. An easy way to help oneself is to help others.

According to Giving USA, Americans gave $390 billion to charities in 2016. Of this, $281 billion were given by individuals. This was the third year in a row donations to charities increased.

While the holiday season is a time people look to help others, charities need donations all year to continue functioning. It can be overwhelming to find which charity is best for an individual to give to, but there are many local organizations looking to help those in need in the Columbus area.

As Gandhi famously said, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”

New year’s resolutions can include helping others. This can be through a donation, of time, money, home or talent. The following are charities around Columbus people can give to.

Pet Promise   

Mission Statement: “Pet Promise is dedicated to helping to create a world where there are no more homeless pets through education, rescue, sterilization, and adoption.”

Website: http://petpromise.org

About: Pet Promise helps to save animals from the streets or from death row in various centers. The animals then go into a foster care system until they are adopted, because Pet Promise does not have a shelter. They help to provide medical services to the animals they save, including rehabilitation, and spay and neuter services. They serve the Columbus community by providing education and awareness. They hope to raise the funds to open a no-kill shelter in the near future. Community members can donate financially, donate their home as a foster home and help fundraising.

Goodwill  

Mission Statement: “Goodwill works to enhance the dignity and quality of life of individuals and families by strengthening communities, eliminating barriers to opportunity, and helping people in need reach their full potential through learning and the power of work.”

Website: http://www.goodwill.org/

About: With 19 locations under 20 miles from OHS and locations across the nation, community members can donate gently used items to one of the stores. They will then be sold, and the money made goes towards career counseling, on-the-job training, résumé preparation and other services for those in need. Goodwill sells their items at a low price so those in need are able to buy them.

Ohio Newsboys Association Inc. 

Mission Statement: “The mission of Charity Newsies is that no child shall be kept out of school for lack of adequate clothing.”

Website: http://charitynewsies.org/

About: This charity is well-known for selling a newspaper on the second Saturday of each December for a donation. All proceeds they recieve year-round go to helping to clothe children so they can go to school and receive an education. Those who volunteer here work to make each relation with families personable, so they go to visit each family who applies for clothing.

Lutheran Social Services  

Mission Statement: “Creating a better world, by serving people in need.”

Website: http://www.lssnetworkofhope.org/

About: LSS helps thousands of people in Ohio with the issues of food, shelter, safety and healing. They do this through food pantries, homeless shelters, domestic violence health centers, senior living and healthcare, and affordable housing communities, along with other programs. Most of their Hope Network Programs offer volunteer experiences, and they accept monetary donations. One can also donate items, such as food, bedding, backpacks, toiletries, cleaning supplies, and hats and gloves.

Starhouse  

Mission Statement: “Integrating research and community service, Star House provides youth experiencing homelessness with a safe respite from the streets and connects them to a chance for a productive life.”

Website: http://starhousecolumbus.org/

About: Originally partnered with Ohio State University, Star House has been serving teens in central Ohio since 2006. Now running on their own, they provide basic needs like housing, food, clothing and hygiene items for homeless children ages 14-24 until they find another place to call home. Most children go to Star House because of a violent situation at home, or they were asked to leave their home because they could not be provided for. On-cite therapists help children with therapy and taking advantage of resources in the community.

NAMI Ohio  

Mission  Statement: “To improve the quality of life and ensure dignity and respect for persons with serious mental illness, and offer support to their families and close friends.”

Website: http://www.namiohio.org/

About: National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Ohio works to provide support, education and advocacy on a local level for those with mental illness and their families. This organization educates family members through their free Family-to-Family classes. In these classes, family members will learn the facts about mental illness, to take care of those they know with a mental illness and find support from other families in the class. They also train police officers, and jail and court personnel to better understand mental illness, on how to property deal with those who suffer from it. They also inform legislators about mental health, in hopes to make changes in the law. They accept monetary donations, which help them run their different programs.

Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio

Mission Statement: “We protect, promote, and provide empowered health care for generations of women, men, and families across Ohio.”

Website: https://www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-greater-ohio

About: This organization wants to help create a world where sexual and reproductive rights are basic human rights. They provide services for both men and women, in 19 health centers in North, East and Central Ohio. They advocate for health care for all social classes, and help to educate people on reproductive health. They perform a variety of services, including STI testing and treatment, midlife services, men’s health services, abortion services, adoption and access to birth control, along with several other services. To help this organization, one can donate money, help to advocate or fundraise.