It's time to help others through Long Island charities

Charity is to help those who are in need, are poor or who are sick. Around the world there are countless charities. Many people in the world suffer because they have no food, water and clothes. There are many charity organizations on Long Island that help those in need.

• Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Rockville Centre (catholiccharities.cc) began in 1957. It gives assistance to thousands of people every year. Some of the services it provides are food, medical supplies and relief for hurricane disasters.
• Toys of Hope (toysofhope.com) has been around since 1994, and it supports more than 65,000 families every year. It gives needy families toys, books, school supplies and other things homeless families may need.
• The Great Give Back (thegreatgiveback.org) is when Long Island residents donate goods, clean up the environment, do random acts of kindness, and make gifts and cards for people who need it. Libraries started this movement, so contact your local library.
• Be a mentor in Big Brothers Big Sisters (bbbsli.org). An adult can impact a child and lead them to a happy, successful life. Reading a book or playing a game is all you need to do. Spending quality time and setting a good example is what is needed.
• Long Island Cares (licares.org) created the Harry Chapin Food Bank. It provides millions of pounds of food for Nassau and Suffolk County residents. This charity also has various nutrition programs and job training to stop this epidemic of hunger.

This season, you should definitely help one of these charities.

Diana Talamo’s fourth-grade class, St. Martin de Porres Marianist School, Uniondale