by PATRICK LEJTENYI

You don’t need to be religious to catch the Christmas giving bug, and there’s never a shortage of organizations that need a little cash bonus. So if you have any money left over and feel like making someone’s difficult life a little easier, here are some organizations that could use a bit of Christmas cheer to spread around.

Herstreet The shelter for battered and homeless women will be holding its annual Christmas Eve party, with a Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve party for residents only. They are accepting donations of cash, clothing and dry foods. Cash donations can either be given to the women themselves, to the Herstreet organization, which helps with front-line services, or to the Herstreet Foundation, which goes to building long-term infrastructure and programs. They are also looking for volunteers. Call 284-9665 or visit www.laruedesfemmes.com for more info.

SPCA Montérégie One of the few no-kill shelters in the province is often in a fairly precarious financial situation. That’s why they’re asking people to take out an annual $25 membership fee to put towards building a new shelter and as a way of ensuring their 250 dogs and puppies and 75 cats and kittens remain healthy enough to give away. What they aren’t asking for, however, is for stumped shoppers adopting a cute and fuzzy animal to give as a present to some undeserving brat for Christmas. They see far too many animals abandoned after the holidays, and don’t want to contribute to the phenomenon. Visit www.spcamonteregie.com, e-mail info@spcamonteregie.com or call (450) 460-3075 for more info.

Mile-End Community Mission The 18-year-old community centre and food bank at 99 Bernard W. has been serving the Mile-End population, but that may be in peril. Financial pressures have already forced the Mission to cancel some of their services, but the Anglicans who run the (mostly secular) organization aren’t going down without a fight. This weekend, on Friday, Dec. 16 and Saturday, Dec. 17, the Mission will be singing holiday carols on neighbourhood streets between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. Local businesses have pledged their support, and you can too by stopping by the New Navarino Bakery at Parc and St-Viateur on Friday evening or the St. Michael’s Church on St-Viateur on Saturday evening. You can always call the Mission directly at 274-3401 to donate non-perishable food, clothing or money, with a receipt for donations over $20.

Red Cross Whether it’s a tsunami, hurricane or an earthquake, the Red Cross is one of the first organizations to go in and help with relief efforts. You can make donations online, by credit card, cheque or by phone (1-800-418-1111) and can request that your money be used for a specific international or domestic disaster relief effort. To learn more, visit www.redcross.ca.

Keith and Karyn On a December day in 2001, Karyn Lewis and her brother Keith, both local West Indian entertainment promoters, saw a friend they knew from high school down and out and living on the streets. That got them thinking, then acting. Now, for the fifth year running, they’re hosting a free Caribbean Christmas Dinner and Toy Giveaway at the Caribbean Paradise restaurant in LaSalle (8080 Newman). Featuring a mix of West Indian and North American cuisine (turkey, ham, curry turkey, curry chicken, rice and peas, mashies etc.), live music and Santa, who’ll give away toys to kids, the event will take place Christmas Day from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Karyn Lewis says she fed about 700 people last year, including between 200 and 250 kids. “It used to be mostly for homeless and poor people,” she says. “But now it includes older people and people who are lonely or new to the city. It’s just everything that Christmas is supposed to be about.” It will also be broadcast live on CKUT 90.3 FM. They are accepting cash, food, clothing and personal hygiene product donations. Call 486-4423, or go by the restaurant to give.

NDG Food Depot This West End institution has been feeding thousands of low-income families in NDG and its environs for years, but it still needs your help. Director Mike Kay says they aren’t doing anything special for Christmas, although recipients may find a more varied, sweets-laden basket this time of year. They are accepting volunteers, cash, supplies and non-perishable foods like canned fruits and veggies, soups, peanut butter, cereal and pasta. Tax receipts are available. E-mail admin@depotndg.org or call 483-3680 and ask for Mike.