CRESTVIEW — From senior citizens to furry friends, food to cash and schools to churches, opportunities abound this holiday season to help north county causes.
Here are some charitable organizations, from general to specific groups, that welcome your gifts of money and time.
TIP: The Better Business Bureau advises checking out an unfamiliar charity's worthiness before donating money. One way is to search for the charity's name on the Northwest Florida BBB website.
AREA CHURCHES: Most area churches offer community support services including food banks, soup kitchens, cold night shelters and assistance for the homeless and needy.
AREA SCHOOLS: School drama programs, choruses, bands and sports programs rely on parent and community contributions.
American Red Cross: Emergency response.4100 S. Ferdon Blvd., Suite A-1, 682-3356
BAKER AREA MINISTERIAL ASSOCIATION: Affiliation of 17 local churches. Ila Bosarge, 682-5434.
BAKER BLOCK MUSEUM: Area history, heritage and genealogy research library and museum. 1307 Georgia Ave., Baker. Ann Spann, director, 537-5714.
BOY SCOUTS/CUB SCOUTS/VENTURE CREW: Local troops and packs welcome adult volunteers and contributions. Area commissioner Rae Schwartz, 585-5672.
CARVER-HILL MUSEUM: Black history and heritage of the Crestview and north county area. 895 McClelland St., Crestview. Rae Roberson, 682-4003.
Common Ground Community Garden: Several residents grow plants and vegetables on one plot of land. Dr. Catherine Ward, 758-8481, www.CrestviewCommunityGarden.org.
COVENANT HOSPICE: End-of-life care and family grief counseling regardless of ability to pay. 370 W. Redstone Ave, Crestview. Carolyn Williams, 682-3628.
CRESTVIEW AREA MINISTERIAL ASSOCIATION: Affiliation of 40 local churches. The Rev. Mark Broadhead, 682-2835.
CRESTVIEW POLICE DEPARTMENT EXPLORERS: Youth auxiliary program. Officer Sam Kimmons, 305-7831.
EMERALD COAST HOSPICE: End-of-life care and family support. Ann O'Connor, 131 E. Redstone Ave., 689-0300.
Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge Zoological Park(formerly Sasquatch Zoo): Susan Leveille, 650-1880, www.ecwildliferefuge.com
FOY SHAW SCHOLARSHIP FUNDfor local high school students. Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce Education Committee, 1447 Commerce Drive, Crestview. Dr. Pam Meadows, chairperson, 682-3212.
FRIENDS OF THE ARTS: Supports local artists and arts programs, maintains Warriors Hall grand piano, produces arts events. Rae Schwartz, 585-5672.
FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY: Raises funds for Crestview Public Library programs, book and equipment purchases. 682-4432.
HEALTHY WOMAN: Women's health and wellness program, North Okaloosa Medical Center. Alicia Booker, coordinator, 689-8446, alicia_booker@chs.net.
HOPE HOUSE: Shelter for families and children. 5127 Eastland St., Crestview. Cyndy Freshour, 682-2374.
MAIN STREET CRESTVIEW ASSOCIATION: Sponsors refurbishment projects and events for the historic district. 198 N. Wilson St., Crestview. Ellis Conner, president, 689-3722.
Military Appreciation Recognition Committee: City Hall, 198 N. Wilson St., Crestview. Bob Lynn, chairman, 682-3795.
OKALOOSA CHAMBER SINGERS: Regional professional choral ensemble. Dr. Marilyn Overturf, director, 682-9651.
RAILEY'S 13th BIRTHDAY PROJECT: Holt resident Railey Connor, 12, collects donations for area nursing home residents. Drop-off locations include the News Bulletin, 705 Ashley Drive, and First Baptist Church of Holt, 532 U.S. Highway 90.
RELAY FOR LIFE: American Cancer Society spring walkathon fundraiser. Megan Bowersox, 244-9042.
SCHOLA CANTORUM: Community chorus based at Northwest Florida State College. Dr. John Leatherwood, 729-6071.
SHARING AND CARING:Crestview food bank, 298 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Crestview. Robin Marston, 682-1907.
SOUP KITCHENS AND COLD WEATHER SHELTERS:Operated every day but Sunday by the Crestview Area Ministerial Association and participating churches. Anne Sprague, coordinator, 826-1770, cnasprague@embarqmail.com.
SPECIAL FORCES ASSOCIATION, CHAPTER 7:Supports 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne)'s soldiers and families. Steve Tuttle, president, 7SFG cantonment, Eglin Reservation, 398-2539.
UNITED METHODIST CHILDREN'S HOME:Shelter and home for youth. 120 Duggan Ave., Crestview. Mae Knox, 398-5649.
VIEW FROM THE STAGE:Crestview community theatre troupe. Berit Faust and Sandra Peters, 398-8814.
YMCA:Community family fitness programs. 298 N. Wilson St., Crestview. Sarah Traver, 689-2999.
Email News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes or follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Charitable Giving Guide 2013: North Okaloosa causes to consider