It all started with my sister-in-law Kira. She suggested this year instead of doing a family gift exchange that we each donate to a charity or needy family.

I initially kind of panicked because I don’t personally know anyone that I could donate to. I don’t know why I had it in my head that it had to be personal but for some reason I thought it needed to be someone close to us. The wheels started turning though and it didn’t take long to realize how many people in …