Do the Right Thing

If your plate is full this holiday season, then you should share the wealth. Brooklyn is full of needy families who could use just moments of your time, pennies from your wallet, or a simple caring gesture. Give back by giving locally and you're investing in your own family. Here are some easy and heartfelt ways to give something back to Prospect Heights:

• Prospect Heights Food Coalition: This chapter of the Brooklyn Food Coalition connects locals to food sources, provides food education and help people gain access to local gardens, food events and food communities. Their group contact is Michal Paone, who can be emailed at mpaone12@gmail.com for more local volunteer opportunities and information.

• Prospect Park Volunteer Corps: This is a great way to beautify your local park and lend a hand to everyone who enjoys it. Work outdoors, make friends, and get some exercise by helping to clean the lake, plant trees, or tend to the grounds and gardens in different park areas. For more information call (718) 965-8960.

• Peter Young Shelter: This residence is home to over a hundred homeless men on their path to recovery and rehabilitation before re-entering society. They're given life skills training as well as addiction counseling and services to help with drug or alcohol issues. And they could use your clothes! The clothing bank at 140 58th Street accepts donations, and you can call (718) 492-4015 for more information there.

• CAMBA: This full service non-profit organization supports local low-income families, specifically immigrants, HIV/AIDS sufferers, victims of domestic violence, those families on welfare, or at risk for homelessness. Your donation will go to funding their many incredible programs keeping hopeful Brooklyn families off the streets and on their feet. To hear more, call 718-287-2600 or e-mail Bonnieo@camba.org.

• Chabad Prospect Heights Jewish Community Center: This nondiscriminatory spiritual center provides support in the form of women's groups, services for the elderly, and tutoring programs for youth. Your donation will help them continue their work reaching out to better the lives of every denomination in Prospect Heights. To hear more, call 347.787.0864 or email info@brooklynyid.com.