AW Realty Group

Looking for ways to give back this holiday season? Here are a few ideas. 1. Go for wags and wiggles Local animal shelters always need an extra hand, whether it's for walking dogs, socializing cats or the critical daily chores required to save homeless pets. 2. Yes you can Clear your cabinets of canned food and other non-perishable items – or fill a shopping cart at the store with items to donate – and drop them off at your local food bank. 3. Schmooze with seniors Volunteer at a local senior center and spend time with an older person who might be feeling especially lonely around the holidays. 4. Give fun The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation collects gifts for kids from needy families. Donation boxes can often be found at local businesses. You can also consider organizing your own collection. Learn more at  www.toysfortots.org . 5. Swing a hammer Santa's not the only one on the rooftops this time of year. The national nonprofit Habitat for Humanity always h...

Small Business Saturday – the Saturday after Thanksgiving – was created by American Express in 2010 to increase awareness of the impact of small businesses on communities. The event grows every year. In 2015, shoppers spent  $16.2 billion on Small Business Saturday , an increase of 14 percent from 2014, according to the  National Federation of Independent Businesses . It's a great reason to explore a new corner of your neighborhood and find ways to get involved in the community. Here are a few businesses to be sure to check out. 1. Coffee shop Look beyond Starbucks and find an independently-owned place for joe. Grab the local paper, stick around and visit with neighbors. If there's a community bulletin board, see what types of groups meet and what kinds of events are advertised. 2. Book store Independent bookstores often have shelves featuring local best sellers, in addition to the  New York Times' list. See what the locals are reading! Need help finding a s...