The holidays are a time for giving, not just amongst family and friends, but also to worthy causes. Below is a list of some our favorite local charities and nonprofit organizations that need your generous donations.

Each charity serves a distinct purpose, whether it be speaking up for teen girls, supporting cultural independence, advocating for at-risk children, saving dogs from death, or fighting breast cancer in a unique way. Each organization has plenty of heart, but could use any financial contributions this holiday season to aid in their cause.

Cultural Survival

For nearly 40 years, Cultural Survival has partnered with indigenous peoples around the world to help them defend their lands, languages, and cultures. The program's work is based on the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The issues addressed in that document are brought to light through their award-winning publications, their massive grassroots letter-writing campaigns and other advocacy efforts to stop environmental destruction and abuses of native peoples' rights. Based in Cambridge, the organization also helps to work with indigenous people in their homelands, at their invitation, to provide them with new education and tools to help improve their future outlook. They regularly host Cultural Survival Bazaars around Boston that feature performances, as well as jewelry, textiles, and other handmade crafts for sale; all the proceeds go to support the organization's work. Donations can be made onlineor sent to: Cultural Survival, 215 Prospect St., Cambridge, MA 02139.

The Home for Little Wanderers

The Home for Little Wanderers is the nation's oldest nonprofit child and family service agency. The Home for Little Wanderers looks out for children and families living in at-risk circumstances and strives to ensure their healthy behavioral, emotional, social and educational development as well as their physical well-being. They accomplish this through a series of integrated programs that include early childhood services, special education, adoption, foster care, clinical and family support in homes, schools, hospitals and clinics, and college. Donations are down this year. 

 "The holidays are a very important time of year for The Home for Little Wanderers because this is when we receive approximately 50 percent of our donations. Many generations of New Englanders have grown up with the tradition of donating to The Home at the holidays, whether it's bringing a toy to our toy room, hosting their own fundraiser or writing a check. Every little bit helps to make a big difference in the lives of the children and families in our care," said Heather MacFarlane, the organization's public relations manager. To donate, or for more information, visit www.thehome.org.

One Tail at a Time Rescue

One Tail at a Time Rescue, Inc. is a 501c3non-profit organization and a state Department of Agriculture-approved rescue. Their rescue work involves helping misfortunate, needy animals who, through no fault of their own, have found themselves homeless. Their programs help place at-risk dogs from high-kill shelters into good homes. Though they are a small rescue, they have done big things to help many dogs in need. 

"We have a terrific group of foster families, volunteers, and supporters, and we couldn't do this without their help!  We are always in need of gift cards to dog supply stores like Petco/Petsmart, gas cards to help with transportation costs, leashes and collars, and dog toys and treats.  Monetary donations are always needed and appreciated and goes toward spaying and neutering, microchipping, and saving more dogs in need," said Lisa Cerroni, volunteer foster coordinator for One Tail at a Time. Mailed donations can be sent to:  One Tail at a Time Rescue, Inc., P.O. Box 8361, Bradford, MA 01835.  Items that cannot be mailed can be dropped off with a volunteer.  Please email foster_onetail@hotmail.com.

Teen Voices

Teen Voices Magazine, based in the Downtown Crossing area, produces a biannual magazine and provides programs to girls from at-risk neighborhoods. Teen Voices' programs are grounded in helping girls gain real-world experience to help them build a positive self-image. Their programs help address many of the critical needs of teen girls by providing quality year-round out-of-school learning, safe and supportive spaces, and putting them in contact with caring, consistent adults who can serve as positive role models and mentors. Their magazine and website feature alternative content that helps build girls' self-esteem by discussing important, but rarely touched-upon, topics that affect girls every day. Donations can be made online or mailed to 80 Summer Street, Suite 300, Boston, MA  02110-1210.

Men With Heart  

Men with Heart is made up of men whose lives have been touched by breast cancer. It's based here in Boston and inspired by the struggles they have seen breast cancer inflict on their mothers, wives, sisters, neighbors, colleagues, or other women who have battled it. The men have banded together to form a team that helps raise money to fight the cancer, and they participate in some of the most well-known charity walks and races around the country, including the Avon 2-Day and the Susan G. Komen 3-Day Walks. They also work closely with the Healing Garden in Harvard, Massachusetts,  an educational, nonprofit center and community dedicated to facilitating the healing process for women currently fighting breast cancer. As the men say on their website, "We do our best to raise awareness, funds, and smiles." If you would like to donate to their cause, you can go to their website or mail a check to Men With Heart, A Non-Profit Corporation, 733 Turnpike Street, #200, North Andover, MA 01845.