Cover story: Giving through the Holiday Fund 2005 Cover story: Giving through the Holiday Fund 2005 (November 23, 2005)

For the 13th year, the Almanac offers readers the opportunity to multiply their charity dollars by giving through its annual Holiday Fund

This year many local charities are struggling. Their needs are the same; yet donors are stretched by a flat economy and their warm response to the victims of natural disasters around the world.

The Almanac has selected 10 local charities to benefit from donations to this year's Holiday Fund. These charities help the most vulnerable of our neighbors. Be the recipients homeless, hungry, sick or abused, young or old, native or immigrant, these organizations try to give them the help they need to survive and improve their lives.

In a series of articles over the next month, the Almanac will profile the organizations that benefit from the Holiday Fund.

For every dollar given to the Holiday Fund, the Almanac seeks matching funds from foundations and private donors. The total amount donated is then divided equally among the 10 charities.

The fund drive could not happen without the help of the Peninsula Community Foundation and the donors who provide the matching grants for most contributions.

Since the Holiday Fund started in 1993, it has contributed $2.3 million to a wide range of local nonprofit agencies. More than half -- $1.22 million -- came from readers, who have donated an average of $111,000 a year over 13 years.

E-mail a friend a link to this story.