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As the holidays draw closer, we begin the usual Christmas prep of writing lists and picking out presents for family and friends. But December is also a great time to look outward and give back to our local Cayman communities.
Giving is at the heart of the holidays, and there are so many ways to be “Caymankind”. From picking up non-perishables for families in need to donating funds to our favourite charities, we can help ensure that everyone goes into the New Year with their best foot forward.
Below, we’ve listed some organisations in Cayman that are accepting donations over the holidays. Take a look and consider lending a helping hand to your community this Christmas season.
Camana Bay
Camana Bay is hosting its annnual “Christmas Give”, which offers a number of ways to help support local families. Drop off canned or other non-perishable goods at the Camana Bay Visitor Centre or participate in the 2024 Santa Run. The three-mile run on the 7th December 2024 and is in support of the Cayman Food Bank. Registration fees are CI$25 for adults and CI$15 for kids ages five to 10.
Cayman's ARK
Bring a bit of Christmas cheer to someone in need by donating to Cayman’s ARK. ARK has long helped individuals and families in Cayman who are in difficult situations. They are hosting their annual “Christmas Giveback” and are asking people to donate gift certificates from their choice of store or restaurant in Cayman. Some recommendations are: Foster’s Supermarket, Cost-U-Less, J Michael, Camana Bay and Book Nook. You can drop vouchers off at the Acorn Media office, located in Alissta Towers on North Sound Road, and they will be passed directly to ARK. The Acorn Media office is open Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm. The deadline is Monday 16th December 2024 to ensure ARK has enough time to distribute the gift certificates and so families may purchase what they need beforehand. You can also make a donation on ARK's website.
Cayman Crisis Centre
The Cayman Islands Crisis Centre (CICC) the country’s only emergency shelter for female victims of domestic violence and their children. Help support the vital work of the CICC this Christmas by donating some items from their Christmas Wish List. Donations can be dropped off at their warehouse every Wednesday.
Cayman Islands Humane Society
Help save lives this Christmas by donating to the Cayman Islands Humane Society. Your gift can help provide a better life for many of Cayman’s homeless cats and dogs. There are many ways to help. You can donate money or provide some much-needed items, including pet food, treats, cat litter, newspaper, leashes and more. You can even support the Humane Society by purchasing some of your Christmas gifts from their Thrift Shop or Book Loft. Proceeds will help support their mission to rescue, care and find homes for Cayman’s animals in need.
Cayman Rugby
Cayman Rugby wants to ensure that no one goes hungry this Christmas in Cayman. They are running a food drive in support of the Cayman Food Bank and are accepting donations at the Cayman Rugby clubhouse (2024 date TBC). If you have any non-perishables, please consider donating to this important cause.
Kiwanis Club of Grand Cayman
Kiwanis is a global organisation of volunteers who are dedicated to changing the world, one child at a time. In Cayman, Kiwanis puts on many events during the course of each year, each helping to support Cayman’s youth. During the Winter season, this includes Santa’s Landing, an annual family fun day where every child receives a free gift. If you are willing to help with this year’s Santa’s Landing project, contact info@kiwanis.ky to offer your time.
Literacy is for Everyone
Literacy is for Everyone (LIFE) is a charitable organisation focused on improving literacy levels across the Cayman Islands. They depend on enthusiastic volunteers to help with their reading initiatives. Whether you want to come in once in a while to help sort books or would like to get involved in their weekly Paired Reading Programme, there are many ways to give your time. You can also donate money or books towards their literacy intervention programmes.
Meals on Wheels
Meals on Wheels provides free, nutritious meals to seniors, the homebound and people with disabilities in Cayman. Volunteer with them this Christmas, or consider attending “Christmas at the Castle” (2024 date TBC) This event, held at Pedro St. James, will donate part of their raffle proceeds to Meals on Wheels. Enjoy a visit from Santa, carol singing and a variety of food and drinks while helping support the important work of MOW.
National Children's Voluntary Organisation
The National Children’s Voluntary Organisation (NCVO) has served more than 3,000 low-income families in Cayman since its inception in 1974. They run the Nadine Andreas Residential Foster Home which caters to ten children from ages eight to 17. They also operate Miss Nadine’s Preschool and the Jack & Jill Nursery, as well as the NCVO meals Programme which currently provides 3,432 meals every month to children under the age of five. If you are able to donate, then vouchers, and specifically grocery vouchers and toy shop/Camana Bay vouchers, are gratefully received as they allow parents to purchase the gifts that children have requested, whilst still being able to buy the basics, like food and nappies, etc. You can visit www.ncvo.org.ky and make a financial donation or email admin@ncvo.org.ky and arrange to drop off a new gift or gift certificate labelling what age it would be ideal for.
One Dog at a Time (ODAAT) is a nonprofit organisation dedicated to rescuing and caring for stray dogs and puppies in need, especially those at risk of euthanasia at the DOA pound in Grand Cayman. This holiday season, you can bring joy to these dogs by helping fulfill their Christmas wish lists. If you’d like to participate, simply email onedogatatimeky@gmail.com , and they will assign you a dog and share its personalised wish list. You can drop off your gifts at the ODAAT Thrift Shop or bring them to the festive Scoobyluminations event on December 12th to place them under the Christmas tree.
YMCA Cayman
Right now is the perfect time to donate to the YMCA. They are in the planning phases of their first full-service YMCA facility. Donations will also help them continue to develop new programmes for Cayman’s youth, families and seniors. Their 2024 Annual Giving Campaign accepts donations from CI$25 and up, and those who give CI$3,000 or more are invited to the Chairman’s Roundtable, a celebration dinner with YMCA Board Chairman Garth Arch.
