Charity Organizations to Give Money to This Holiday Season

by POPSUGAR Fitness 3

This holiday season we're hoping that you're taking our suggestions for giving back by donating used sports gear or giving blood. Another way to help is by donating money to a worthy cause — I know a few people who give money to a charity on friends' behalf instead of buying gifts. If you're afraid of showing up empty handed, don't worry. Many charity groups provide certificates stating that a donation was made by you in your giftee's name.

If you're looking to make a contribution, here are some of our favorite health-related organizations to get you started:

• For every dollar that you donate, Feeding America is able to provide seven meals to the men, women, and children facing hunger in the United States.
• NARSAD invests its donation money directly into the most promising psychiatric brain research projects in mental health. Studies funded involve schizophrenia, depression, childhood disorders, bipolar disorder, and anxiety disorders.
• We love the YMCA because it provides health and fitness programs and gym facilities to individuals who wouldn't normally be able to afford those types of services.
  
• Celebs like Jessica Biel support Live Earth for its commitment to providing clean water to communities across the globe.

These are just a small number of the hundreds of thousands of organizations that need your help. If you have a specific cause that is dear to you, you can look for charities using the websites Charity Navigator or Intelligent Giving.