"Watch out! It contagious. That means you can catch it. No, not a virus. The cool feeling you get when you help someone who needs what you have to give."

Here are some fun ways to raise money or donations for families in need:

1. Check store ads. Find ones that have a "buy one get one free" or "buy one get one for ½ price" sale. Shoe stores have these sales all the time. While shopping for your shoes pick up a pair for someone else. Donate them to a local clothing bank or charity. If the shoe fits, share it!

2. Some restaurants donate a percent of the money they make during certain hours to a charity or special cause. Find a restaurant in your area that will do this. Talk to the restaurant manger. Get as many people as you can to eat in that restaurant during those hours. Enjoy a meal out while you are raising money at the same time.

3. Buy extra "on sale" school supplies. Donate them to your school. Principals usually know which families would be greatly helped with new supplies.

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Remember your ABC's for giving:

1. Ask restaurant, grocery store, or department store managers if their store would be willing to donate food, clothing or supplies to help the poor.

2. Be aware of items in your own home such as clothes, toys, games, or furniture that you no longer use or need. Donate them.

3. Challenge other family, friends, neighbors, and places of worship to match the donations you have collected.

"Don't just keep these ideas to yourself. Get others involved and collect even more to give away. Here's a flyer to help you out! Click here to print it off, fill it out, and pass it on."