With the holiday season nearly upon us, now is the perfect time to think about how to give back to the communities that you know and love. Northern New England non-profits are very busy this time of year, helping to spread holiday cheer and provide vital support to community members in need. Here at The Masiello Group, giving back to the communities we serve is very important to us and all of our offices facilitate local give-back programs.

Supporting the end of food insecurity is another big part of our commitment to giving back to our local communities. Working in partnership with area food banks, our Masiello Cares program provides year-round support for families in need.

Whether you donate, volunteer, or help in another way, every contribution can make a big difference in someone's life. Our real estate agents have the details on 7 nearby non-profits where you can give back during the holiday season.

Give Back in Northern New England

• Make-A-Wish Maine – 66 Mussey Rd., Scarborough, ME 04074
  Throughout the holiday season, Make-A-Wish Maine is operating the Season of Wishes program to bring some extra holiday cheer to wish kids all around Maine. Your contribution can help grant a holiday wish to a child in Maine and help brighten the holidays for their family, too. In addition to donating directly to the cause, the Season of Wishes page is filled with donation options where local organizations will match your donation to double your contribution. You can also contribute with a Create Hope box by making a donation in honor of a loved one or even by visiting the Norton Lights holiday light show.
  
  
• Maine Veterans' Homes – 310 Coney Rd., Augusta, ME 04330
  The Maine Veterans' Homes organization provides support for military veterans across Maine through six Veterans Homes located in communities around the state. These homes provide daily care for more than 600 veterans and their spouses in Maine, as well as for Gold Star parents. Your contribution supports the Resident Activities Fund, which goes toward creating fun, holiday-themed activities for veterans and providing extracurricular activities all year long. You can make a monthly contribution online or check out the Community Fundraising Guide on the donations page to learn how to host your fundraiser for the organization.
  
  
• Bangor Humane Society – 693 Mt. Hope Ave., Bangor, ME 04401
  Help pets find happy, loving homes and provide a safe place for homeless pets by supporting the Bangor Humane Society this holiday season. Your donation also helps support advocacy and education for animal welfare. For traditional giving, you can make an impact with a tribute gift or through planned giving. You can also make a contribution through Amazon Wishlist, Amazon Smile, Chewy, or Bark Box. The Paw It Forward program allows you to prepay the adoption fee for someone who's adopting a pet, while Facebook Fundraisers are a great way to raise funds online.
  
  
• Maine Lakes Environmental Association – 230 Main St., Bridgton, ME 04009
  The many beautiful lakes around Maine provide so much outdoor fun for residents, along with healthy ecosystems for many of the diverse animal species that thrive around lakes. The Maine Lakes Environmental Association has been protecting Maine's lakes since it was founded in 1970 and continues to advocate for strong lake protection programs in the present day. You can make a contribution through gifts of appreciated securities, charitable gift annuities, a charitable remainder trust, a traditional donation, or by becoming a member/purchasing a membership for someone else in your life.
  
  
• Manchester Moves – 848 Elm St., Manchester, NH 03101
  Founded in 2008, Manchester Moves is a local non-profit dedicated to the conservation, preservation, and sustainability of the outdoor spaces of the Greater Manchester area. By creating a safe, connected network of trails in Manchester, this organization helps empower residents to enjoy an active lifestyle and experience the outdoor beauty of the area. It's easy to make your donation online or to host an online fundraiser of your own.
  
  
• New Hampshire Food Bank – 700 E. Industrial Park Dr., Manchester, NH 03109
  The NH Food Bank is the only food bank located in New Hampshire and serves hundreds of partner organizations located around the state to provide fresh, nutritious food for food-insecure people. Those partner organizations include everything from after-school programs to homeless shelters, senior centers, and food pantries. Your online donation goes a long way, with a gift of $25 providing up to 50 meals. You can also become an online fundraiser for the NH Food Bank to help raise even more money by raising donations from friends, family, and colleagues.
  
  
• NH Gives – 194 Pleasant St., Ste. 14, Concord, NH 03301
  Interested in finding other New Hampshire non-profits that would welcome a helping hand this holiday season? The NH Gives website is a hub for non-profit organizations all around New Hampshire, making it easy to find a charity, learn about its mission, and make a donation all in one place. NH Gives is an initiative of the NH Center for Non-Profits, and there are more than 575 organizations to choose from when making your contribution.

Are you searching for a home where you can create special memories for many holiday seasons to come? Our team is here to help. Contact us to buy and sell homes in your favorite Northern New England communities.