Helping Out Around the Holidays

Heads up, dudes! The holidays are comin’ at ya faster than a pass from me on the b-ball court. And you know that’s pretty fast! With all the cool gear in store windows for you to drool over around this time of year (like those rockin’ orange soccer cleats I spotted yesterday!), it’s easy to forget that it’s supposed to be all about the GIVING, not just the gear.

See, my mom is really into charity and volunteer stuff, and we have this tradition in our family of all doing a community service project together around the holidays. Like, last year when my brother Tim came home from college, we all went and wrapped presents for the kids at a women’s shelter. I’m def not the world’s greatest gift-wrapper—mine ended up looking like it was attacked by a tape monster!—but my mom told me that it didn’t have to be perfect. All that matters is that I gave it the Avery Madden 110%!

This year, I think my family is going work in a soup kitchen for an afternoon. It’s not always easy to help other people, but you always end up feeling way better than before you lent a hand!

you tell us ...

What will YOU do this holiday season to help out?

Later,

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Comments (86)

bookworm614 writes:

	I collect at least ten paper orderments of my church's Christmas tree, and by gifts and donate them. I also make Christmas cookies for all my neighbors, even if they don't eat them! -Bookworm614

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Babygurl3637beaconstreet writes:

	I HELP DECORATE THE TRE AND ON EARTH DAY I RECYCLE DO YOU RECYCLE AVERY

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socerluver96 writes:

	every year my parents and i go to an orphanage and hand out give gifts. it feels awesome to be responsible for cheering up their day.

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soccergrl101 writes:

	I LOVE AVERY!!!!!!!! I bring people gifts like to the hospitals nd help out like you did in the 7th book!

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SparkyMooMoo writes:

	help wrapping presents, share the joy with others and other things Wrapping presents is an awesome idea. It's totally hard for some un-artistic people - like me! I always have to get Isabel to help me wrap stuff, but when she helps it turns out looking great. Later,

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Angel*7778 writes:

	I will help others by helping with chores and donating.

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Cheetah_Girl_Fan writes:

In middle school, we collect Yoplait yogurt pink lids from the Yoplait products. The whole school collects them, and at the end of December we turn them in. The whole purpose of this is to help the Yoplait people raise money to help fight breast cancer, and we might be the school to raise the most in the county. I liked collecting the tops, I didn't mind eating their yogurt or anything. Their products are good!

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sunshinedancer writes:

I performed @ a nursing home, (dancing for them) it was a lot of fun , and i think the seniors enjoyed it. My dancing school even made cards to give out to the seniors.
I also donated toys to the homeless shelter, and cans of food. I did a lot of community service, too.
I want to do more too!!
I am trying to make a habit out of RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS. I want to help people out, and be more giving. and NOT JUST @ xmas time!!!
smilies/cheesy.gif

That's so cool that you could use something you love to do anyway to help other people!

Later,

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dolphingirl33 writes:

	no sadly it hasn't we'll keep trying!!!!

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dolphingirl33 writes:

	To help out ,my school collects toy for tots and to make sure every one brings in a toy we have a contest to which grade can bring in the most toys!!! Cool! Has your grade ever won? Later,

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nikkioli writes:

	dear avery, my schools 7th grade class did operation shoe box that is were you take a shoe box and fill it full of toys and gamesthen the send it to some one in a different place that doesn't get presents for christmas i enjoyed helping others

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maya writes:

	Every year, my family gets a special gift form my grandparents. It is a little book. The book has different animales to choose from. When we choose, we send money and the picture of the animal somewhare. They use the money to buy the animal for a family in need. Most animals are things like chickens or cows but sometimes there is something like a goat!!

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sportgirl2 writes:

	Did you know that every 14 seconds, a child is orphaned from aids? And lots of woman in Africa have to walk miles and miles every morning to get water that isn't even that clean. I am going to try to donate more money to 3rd world countries and do whatever I can to help. I'm so inspired by the way you want to help people. Rock on! Later,

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mileylover1 writes:

	Hey Avery!My friend & I made a poster of Miley Cyrus & the Jonas Brothers.But we're going to make one of you,Katani,Charlotte,Maeve,& Isabel. It's going to be a Christmas gift from us to U guys! Peace & love, mileylover1

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muga123 writes:

	My family and I do not really do anything. Sorry Avery. Guess what though? There was a cookie thing and if u bought some cookies the money would go to our school! So my mom went and bought some. Mmmm yummy! LOL.

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bridgetandlily writes:

	By friend and I made 50 dollars from a lemonade stand 3 years ago,and gave the money to the animal shelter. Wow, that's a lot of $$$ from a lemonade stand! It's so cool that you gave it to an animal shelter. I love those little furry friends! Later,

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amatomboy writes:

	id luv to go round th world to help pepl. we dont hava lotta $$ rite now so thats not gonna hppn.if i could id take my 5bffs w/ me. it wood be fun to help pepl everywere!

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ciarababylover writes:

	I will give them food nand drink.Lotz of love for ya

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Tori 881125 writes:

	To help when any one needs help!!!

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brookiecookie138 writes:

	Give food 2 the poor cuz some kidz in Africa and lotz of other places are starving 2 death Lotz of Luv, brookiecookie138

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ladybuggy909 writes:

	well my freind and i rasied thierty dollers for charity just by a hot coco stand

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guamgrl99 writes:

	I am on a trip..to an island called Guam! I welcomed people from Guam..made friends..and gave them gifts for Christmas. I hope what I did was right. Was it? Please reply! That's so cool! You're a total global girl, like Charlotte. What was Christmas in Guam like? Later,

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charlotte4064 writes:

	I am helping my roome mate clean our room.

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charlotte4064 writes:

	Since i am in boarding school i am helping collect money for the gift for the headmistress of my school. also i am helping the singing commity for practice. the next thing i am helping for is the winter festival. since i am the best snow skater they made me the captain of the team. Wow, congrats! Later,

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froggy1 writes:

	Hi Avery, This year my school did a canned drive and I donated like more than 30cans. I hope to visit kids who are in the hospital and who need help.

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silverwind5 writes:

	not just now, but every day i will try to help the enviroment. We should all help the earth! So right! We gotta think about the environment EVERY day, not just on holidays. Later,

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Ime759 writes:

	I will volunteer at the homeless shelter in my town and then i will help my neighbor across the street because he is very old, and then i will help out my grandmother bc she just got knee surgery.

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hollywood43 writes:

	I have been making blankets for orphanages and I am helping my city concil to collect food for homless shelters! Just like Maeve! She made blankets for people in need, too. You can read about it in Bad News/Good News. Later,

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2dancer writes:

	I participate in Toys For Tots every year. I love helping people in need.

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monkey202 writes:

	Our school collects gift items for people who need it more than we do. My family and I are one of the families who gets to deliver the stuff. It is really awesome to see everyone be so thankful, and it makes me feel really good!

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skyball984 writes:

	i will help make the world a better place one person at a time Simple but awesome, dude. Later,

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.$1d1ya. writes:

	some of my relatives have gone to pilgrimage (Hajj) and i am going to give £500 to muslin aid (muslim charity) and give half of my brand new clothes which have gone small for me

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animeroxmysox123 writes:

	i am going to give every one presents and help the needy

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FashionGirl313 writes:

	ILL GET A BUCKET, GO OUTSIDE AND RING THE BELL FOR TIPS FOR THE ENVIROMENT, THE POOR KIDS AND THE PEOPLE THAT NEEDED SHELTER. I WANT TO BE A GOOD SPORT AND HELP OUT IN THE CHARITY. Hey, it's cool that you're thinking of the environment, too. Rock on! Later,

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SportzsGrl3 writes:

	My family always give to the Salvation Army, and at my school we buy presnts for needy families

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horseluvr84 writes:

	The Salvation Army usually rings a bell outside the grocery market. You give him money in the bucket. I will do that this season, during the holidays. Do you think this is a good idea, Avery?

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purplepup96 writes:

	at school in our class we're having secret santa! thats really fun cause it also counts as giving! we also have a food bank fund and whichever house team gets more food items gets points. the house team with the most points by the end of the school year gets a house trophy! last year we were in last place! lol! Secret Santa rocks! It's really fun to try to guess who gave you a present. Later,

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boarder_gal121 writes:

	I will help clean up the wrapping paper after we open gifts.

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crazy4poniesalways writes:

Hi hi Avery.
This is what my sisters do with me and my parents. We have a swear jar. If you cuss, or SWEAR, then you owe 50 cents to the swear jar. Unfortunately, when me and my family get mad, we swear sometimes. Anyway, that kind of means that the more money, the more we cuss, which is bad. I know. but at the end of the year, we donate that swear jar money to charity. Tell me if you think it's a good idea, Ave!!!!

That is a good idea! I mean, it's not good to use bad words (duh), but it is way good to donate that money to help others.

Later,

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heart2heart3 writes:

	The biggest thing I do is we give everything away to charity. So, I think that's pretty cool.

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katanirocks106 writes:

	buy christmas gifts, do a charity, food drives, donate old clothes, toys, and books, and write holiday cards. Ooo, I love getting holiday cards in the mail! That is def a good deed for whatever lucky people get your cards! Later,

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cherrycoke97 writes:

	well.. i usually buy my family gifts and i always do the activity at school that's called "Giving Tree" where you buy toys and clothes for the needy. i enjoy Christmas shopping too!

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Pink.101. writes:

	Dear Avery, I'm like Betsy, I really care about going to college, so... I really want to help out around the hospitals, so i can talk to kids!!

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pinkygirls12344 writes:

	hey avery, i love animals like u so i'll go with my parents this season to the dogs and cats that has no owner and we'll give them food and toys.i realy like animals cause i have 3 cats and 2 dogs in my house.

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purple seashells writes:

	avery, thanks for responding to my post. this is the frist time thats happened for me and im so happy! No problem! I answer as many as I can! Later,

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RedSoxRMyLife10 writes:

	My school is having a coat drive and food drive and I have donated to both.

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SissaRocks writes:

	This year I donated $35 to orphans that have AIDs in Africa. I know it's not a ton of money, but it was my money, and it made me feel good inside.

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wildfire writes:

	i also help out in the soup kitchen and donate clothes, toys and 500 $ 2 the salvation army actually my dad donates the money not me....i am like always broke!!! Sometimes donating your time is even more fun than donating money. It's like you really get to help out, you know? Later,

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fiaryfiar writes:

	i always donate to a shelter were they help kids. so ill probably do that this year again too!($100) ~fiaryfiar

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Vgal writes:

	some of the parshes on the east cost have hat and mittin drives like the one where my girl scout troop had their meetings

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friends*rule writes:

	I like to help my neighbour by shoveling her driveway when she's not home then when she comes back from a trip or something she'll have a surprise. That's an awesome surprise! Want to come shovel the sidewalk at MY house? LOL, j/k! Later,

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bsgcrazy97 writes:

	At my local hospital we have a cancer treatment center for kids and im preforming in a renactment of HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CRISTMAS there for all of the kids with cancer.The reason im gonna be there is because ill raise the kids self esteem and self confedence. After words im teaching them some acting tips and moves.

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xshadowgirlx writes:

	my mom said shes gonna get some old clothes and give them to people with lest money. i wanna do my part so i stuffed a bag of toys, a volley ball, ton of erasers,$10.00, and several books in the bag. i hope it gets to the shelter.

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xxolover4everxxo writes:

	usually my skool we run a canned food drive and at my house we usually give old clothes or clothes that dont fit 2 the goos will irs feels good to give 2 charity... to a good cause My mom is ALWAYS trying to get me to clean out my closets. But if I know it's going to a good cause, it makes it soooo much easier to get motivated! Later,

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moranda writes:

	I think the best way to help people during the holidays are donating money to a local charity.Another way to help people is to adopt a family.Adopting a family is when you buy presents,and food for a family that does not have money to buy those things for there kids.

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lacrossegirl writes:

	During this December, all the A block classes in the school had to bring in a certain amount of non-perishable goods. Each person would sign up for an item or more and bring it within the deadline. For the English class I have I heard that in D block, they supported a family and donated items to help them. There was a sign up sheet so people could bring in items for any member of the family.

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OF4ever writes:

	During the holidays my mom and dad gather old clothes are objects and gives them to the charity. Whenever i help my parents with some of my stuff i feel really happy and proud. Yeah, that happy-proud feeling (hroud? prappy? whatev!) is one of the most awesome side-effects of helping other people. Later,

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KittyBSG writes:

	We have a coat drive called coats for kids i give all my old coats to them

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art_extravagant writes:

My school held its annual Thanksgiving food drive this year, and I helped to collect cans and deliver them to the local food bank. In previous years, my family has done several things over the holidays to help others- from raising money for poor children by selling homemade greeting cards, to volunteering at a soup kitchen, to visiting the elderly at a nursing homes. I just love the good feeling of being able to contribute and help someone in need, especially over the holidays.

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actress616 writes:

	A way I like to help others around the holiday season is: I donate one of my gifts to kids who don't have enough money to get holiday gifts. I also make holiday cards for the elderly at a local nursing home. It's very important to spread the holiday cheer with everyone no matter what age! -actress616 Soooo true, actress616! Later,

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nattherat30 writes:

What i did this holiday season is pretty cool. my school went shopping for cancer kids at All Childrens Hospital and middle school through high school went shopping for foster kids. It was a lot of fun knowing you were helping someone have a better holiday. Foster kids dont really have anything to them selves, so my school put a $20 dollar visa gift card, so they too can have more freedom to buy what they need this Christmas. ~ nattherat30~

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annette123 writes:

	This holiday season I will help others by; -understanding their battles -clean up the house -help shovel the snow -help with the groceries -wash the dishes -cook -caring and honest -say my morning and night prayers -make people laugh -buy useful gifts -working at a soup kitchen giving to salvation army -donating to my schools christmas hamper events -show more action than words -recycle.

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sylviarocks2 writes:

	Every year, my friends and I always bake and decorate goodies like cakes, cupcakes, brownies, pies and more and hand-deliver them to the local senior center. It's so much fun! I get to spend time with my friends and I make a senior citizen's day a little brighter! My big bro Scott would LOVE to hang with you guys--he's a total whiz in the kitchen. Later,

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wyntera writes:

	My school will be giving to a Salvation Army charity called Thr Angel Tree. It is when you give a gift to a needy child .

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deckercat17 writes:

	My school does a canned food drive, and so does my girl scout troop. Also, at church, they have a giving tree, where you take an ornament off and it has an age and sex of a child and you get a gift for that kid for Christmas. We got a 5 year old girl and a 5 year old boy. Fun idea! What are you gonna get for them? Later,

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motilala writes:

For this holiday season, in order to help others, we are having a Care and Share project in our school. We bring any non-perishable foods that would go towards people who cant afford to have enough food. But aside from that, I'll try to be kind and helpful to people so they would have a wonderful holiday filled with happiness and joy, knowing that outside their warm cozy houses, there are people like me who truly care for others to have a wonderful Christmas.

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katanigirl1996 writes:

	I will give canned foods to community action and our school will do the toy tea which is like toys for tots and we will donate money to buy presents for a needy family. My aunt is in complicated finiancial situation so, my family will give her family lots of presents!

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JonasForLife writes:

Our school had a canned food drive (It just ended today--it started two weeks ago) and we raised over 2,000 caneed or boxed food items!! We have 5th thru 8th grade, and for each grade there's an A team and B team. I'm on 6B, and we had like 900 cans. But 6A beat us with over 1,000 cans. We beat the Faculty, so we get to throw pies in their faces!! We did this around the holidays on purpose, because for some people it's hard to have a nice holiday season because they have no money to but food. All the proceeds go to the Food Bank. I feel really good about helping out so much. This is a great school project! smilies/grin.gif

Whoa, you get to throw pies at your teachers? That sounds like a blast and a half! Throw one for me. LOL!

Later,

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fritz101 writes:

	I am going to start a food drive, in two weeks!!1! Fun!!!

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smartypants212 writes:

	At my school we are buying presents and donating clothes for the needy.

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purple seashells writes:

	hey everyone i will donate to the local humane society to help all the animals that wont be getting to have Christmas with a family in a warm house. this one i thoght of for you, since you like Marty so Much! hope this gives some other people ideas, Purple Seashells Marty is doing backflips for you right now! Rockin' idea. Later,

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Rubykangaroo writes:

	I'm buying a gift for a little girl through a program called the Root Cellar. I hope she has a Merry Christmas!!!!

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manni12345 writes:

	Go to the homeless and give them some of the food my mom baked

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patriots writes:

	Ok, well, maybe I'm not helping this holiday season, but I am having a bat mitzvah and you always have to do a Mitzvah Project. So I am collecting books and maybe reading to little kids who can't read. Hey, collecting books to donate and reading to kids is helping out! Later,

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sidnee#8 writes:

	Avery, I know I love food so that does sound like a good gift! LOL! Well better go I am going to go for a x- county ski so catch ya later! -Sidnee#8

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rentluver1996 writes:

	we do a holiday food drive at my temple. and we bring in money to uy hannukah gifts fr kids who can't get them themselves.

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jewels writes:

	In Sunday School my class is giving boxes w/ toys in them to people who don't have or get much.

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phoenixsuns writes:

	my family will probably donate alot of are stuff to charitee. A group of my friends and i will make something and donate it to charitee. Will be doing some other stuff too! This winter will be awesome! You guys rock! Later,

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beatlefan writes:

	My youth group went and raked leafs for an old "shut in" lady

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miranda242 writes:

	Dear,Avery This year im going to help the spca this christmas and help feed cats, kittens, and dogs so they dont starve this christmas. P.S. I hope you are doing something great this year to help others. Love, Miranda242

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redsoxfreak24 writes:

	i will do everything i can i sometimes babysit so i will do that and i will be nice to everyone i see and hopefully make their day

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twinlakesgal writes:

	thats cool and you could do alot on holdays if you know wat i mean! i might babysit or dog walk or even work in the stables!i ride horses and its sooooooo fun!!! wat are you going to do in Chismas? im going to cill and ride horses!see you later!! Twin Lakes Gal

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sidnee#8 writes:

Avery,
I help out every Holiday season at the Seniors house where the older folks get there food for not that much money. I help give out gifts! And the older folks have some good storys like one lady is my Great Grandma! And she tells me that when she was little she would get fruit in her stocken because they did not have money for gifts but it is the though that counts! So bye for now! -Sidnee#8 smilies/cool.gif

Hey, fruit sounds like a good gift to me! Tasty presents are sometimes the best.

Later,

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SportzsGrl3 writes:

	Hey Ave!! I helping out with a browine troop of 2ngd graders at my school, and me and my friend are helping out with a daisy troop of kindergarteners. I love animals too so i dog-sit for people I know!!!

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thinkpink16 writes:

	I think i will try to make more whole made gifts because usually when you make them yourself it really means a lot to that person instead of just going out and buying something. ThinkPink16 xoxo P.S. Avery what do you want for the holidays?

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babymegan90 writes:

	Heyy Ave, Like you i love animals! This christmas i am going to volunteer to walk the dogs. They need exercise 2 ya know! That's an awesome idea! Maybe I'll do that around here. And get Marty to help! Later,

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Helping Out Around the Holidays

bookworm614 writes:

Babygurl3637beaconstreet writes:

socerluver96 writes:

soccergrl101 writes:

SparkyMooMoo writes:

Angel*7778 writes:

Cheetah_Girl_Fan writes:

sunshinedancer writes:

dolphingirl33 writes:

dolphingirl33 writes:

nikkioli writes:

maya writes:

sportgirl2 writes:

mileylover1 writes:

muga123 writes:

bridgetandlily writes:

amatomboy writes:

ciarababylover writes:

Tori 881125 writes:

brookiecookie138 writes:

ladybuggy909 writes:

guamgrl99 writes:

charlotte4064 writes:

charlotte4064 writes:

froggy1 writes:

silverwind5 writes:

Ime759 writes:

hollywood43 writes:

2dancer writes:

monkey202 writes:

skyball984 writes:

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animeroxmysox123 writes:

FashionGirl313 writes:

SportzsGrl3 writes:

horseluvr84 writes:

purplepup96 writes:

boarder_gal121 writes:

crazy4poniesalways writes:

heart2heart3 writes:

katanirocks106 writes:

cherrycoke97 writes:

Pink.101. writes:

pinkygirls12344 writes:

purple seashells writes:

RedSoxRMyLife10 writes:

SissaRocks writes:

wildfire writes:

fiaryfiar writes:

Vgal writes:

friends*rule writes:

bsgcrazy97 writes:

xshadowgirlx writes:

xxolover4everxxo writes:

moranda writes:

lacrossegirl writes:

OF4ever writes:

KittyBSG writes:

art_extravagant writes:

actress616 writes:

nattherat30 writes:

annette123 writes:

sylviarocks2 writes:

wyntera writes:

deckercat17 writes:

motilala writes:

katanigirl1996 writes:

JonasForLife writes:

fritz101 writes:

smartypants212 writes:

purple seashells writes:

Rubykangaroo writes:

manni12345 writes:

patriots writes:

sidnee#8 writes:

rentluver1996 writes:

jewels writes:

phoenixsuns writes:

beatlefan writes:

.$1d1ya. writes: