12 Days Of Xmas Giving

.


12 ways of giving - without reaching into your wallet

Posted: December 23th, 2010 -- 09:46 AM ET

Danielle Berger
CNN

Editor's Note: "CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute" replays on CNN International on Christmas Eve, December 24, at 1000, 1800, 2300 GMT and on CNN/US on Christmas Day, December 25, at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT, 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT, and 1 a.m. ET/10 p.m. PT.

(CNN) - In this season of holiday parties and gift-giving, CNN Heroes offers ways to give from your heart - without having to reach into your wallet - and help a Hero help others. Happy giving.

1. Throw a party for water projects with Wine to Water
Having a holiday soiree? Let it benefit Wine to Water and spread holiday cheer worldwide.

Doc Hendley, a 2009 CNN Hero, started holding wine-tasting events to raise awareness and funding for clean-water projects. Now his organization, impacting more than 50,000 people in nine countries, provides hosting tools to turn your party into a benefit for clean-water projects in remote regions around the globe. The group also offers its own wines to party hosts at discounted prices.

Get your party started at http://winetowater.org/get-involved.

2. Share your garden bounty with AmpleHarvest.org
Overwhelmed with the bounty of your backyard garden? Feed hungry neighbors by logging onto Ampleharvest.org.

Gary Oppenheimer, a 2010 CNN Hero, created Ampleharvest.org to allow American gardeners to share their fresh bounty with neighbors in need. Log on, enter your ZIP code and start giving. Or register your pantry so that those prepared to give can find you.

Locate your neighborhood pantry at www.ampleharvest.org.

3. Send a taste of home with Tunes 4 The Troops
Your CDs, DVDs, iPods and MP3 players can bring joy and comfort to homesick troops over the holidays.

Kaylee Radzyminski, a 2008 CNN Hero, has sent more than 750,000 CDs and DVDs to troops based far from home.

Purge your collection today at http://www.tunes4thetroops.org/participate.htm.

Click here to learn more ways to give to CNN Heroes and their charitable causes