Charitable Giving: Ten Little Things to Bring on Vacation that can Make a Huge Difference

Not many of us think of a vacation as a way to give back in a charitable way but just a little time or money spent before you take a trip can mean a great deal to the people who live in a poor country. Since Mexico is such a popular vacation spot, this article specifically applies to there, but the items will be useful no matter where you go on vacation in many countries.

It's also important to double check the customs regulations and to make contact with an organization before you travel. This will avoid any potential hassles entering the country. Some organizations might be waiting for someone to come down and bring other donations with them, so it never hurts to ask before you take your trip.

There is no better way to make a difference than to help a child. There are many programs that offer assistance to children who are either orphans or come from incredibly poor families. These organizations help with school supplies, medical care, school uniforms, food, utilities and more. Here are some way to help the children:

1) School Supplies: Pens, pencils, notebooks and paper will all eagerly be accepted by programs that help children with schooling. Erasers, pencil sharpeners and just about anything you can think of would be a great help. You can ask your place of business for a donation, collect unused school supplies from friends and neighbors and many more children will be able to attend school in Mexico with necessary supplies. Craft and art supplies are needed too! Unlined notebooks and graph paper is needed for math and art.

2) Personal Hygiene Products: Bring them with you or buy them here to distribute them. Travel sized products can be put together to make hygiene kits. Shampoo, soap, toothpaste, deodorant, dental floss, and more are all needed. Many families don't have the funds to buy toilet paper or purified water!

3) Books: Both the regular and children's libraries and some schools could use a wide assortment of books. English or Spanish children's books and especially dictionaries are helpful.

4) Outside Toys and Coloring Books: Many children in Mexico and other countries have never known what it is like to have toys and art supplies. Balls, jump ropes, jacks, marbles, sidewalk chalk and other outside activities are all appreciated. Coloring books and crayons are loved by all.

5) New and Used Clothing: Clothing is very much needed by the children both warm and cool weather items. Importation of used clothing is a little tricky however, at least in Mexico. If you are bringing in items to donate, simply include them in with the rest of your own luggage. New underwear and white socks are needed!

Just a little donation goes a long way when it comes to helping out with charitable animal associations. The animals of Mexico and other poor nations have an especially hard time with over-population, abuse and neglect. Many of the animals come from devasting situations and all of the municipal shelters (if there are any), are very high kill. You can help save some animal lives by donating the following:

6) Flea and Tick prevention: Asking your vet to donate recently expired or near expired products or purchasing extra when you buy it for your own animals can make a world of difference to a shelter trying to keep the fleas under control.

7) Other Medications: Dewormer, eye drops, and other common medications are needed by animal shelters and spay and neuter clinics.

8) Collars and Leashes, Bowls and more: Collars and leashes for dogs, and reflective collars for cats all help out! Think of how many people you know with pets who probably have extra bowls or leashes lying around not in use. Why not take up a collection from the pet lovers you know?

9) Food: Whether it's for people, like the children above or the pets, everyone needs food! Twenty or thirty dollars spent on food can feed a lot of people or a lot of dogs and cats!

10) Cash: Don't forget about cash donations. Many organizations are either non-profits that can offer tax deductible receipts or work closely with an organization who does. What you spend on a lunch or a haircut could provide so much for a child or pet in a country like Mexico.