By Lorie Ham
During the holidays, many of us think of sending that extra donation to various charities to help others in need at this time of year. The list of charities one can donate to is extensive, making it difficult to choose.
If you are looking for just the right charity, you might want to consider donating this holiday season (or any time of year) to the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC).
In 2020, MCC will be celebrating their centennial year. They are a worldwide ministry of Anabaptist churches who share God’s love and compassion for all in the name of Christ by responding to basic human needs and working for peace and justice. MCC envisions communities worldwide in right relationship with God, one another and creation. “We work in the areas of relief, development and peace,” shares Krystal Klaassen, Communications and HR Coordinator for MCC who has been with them for 5 years.
Mennonite Insurance has fully funded one of MCC’s current projects. This project is to make needed improvements to 15 homes in the coastal town of Caibarien, Cuba. Caibarien was one of the municipalities in Cuba most impacted by Hurricane Irma in 2017. With an estimated average cost of $650 per house, the teams will make repairs and improvements that will help the houses better withstand future tropical storms and hurricanes.
One of the special needs that MCC has during this time of year is for school kits. People can also donate to help specific projects for people in need through their Christmas giving options: mcc.org/christmas#!
There are a multitude of great charities out there who can always use more help, whether financially or from volunteers. If you would like to learn more about what MCC does, you can check out the video below and go to their website at mcc.org.
