More reasons to feel good about the holiday season in New England!!!

By Lovingpeacefulmama
We have a coat hanging in our closet, it doesn’t fit anyone, I see it when I open the closet just staring at me…No it doesn’t talk(I’m not that crazy)….but it’s presence speaks volumes.  “I’m in pretty good shape…I am still very warm…I could help keep another kid really warm this winter…won’t you let me out and play.”  It is in pretty good shape, my daughter barely wore it this past year.  We also have some clothes that would be great donations if we just motivated ourselves to pack these things in bags and found a donation place.  Lucky for me, there are at least three fun ways I can donate my clothes AND have a good time:
 Patriot Place Winter Skate - Grand Opening Event Link:
Friday, November 13: 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
For one night, for only one coat (or hat/glove set donation), you can get free admission.  Join us for the Grand Opening on Winter Skate presented by Harvard Pilgrim HealthCare on Friday.  Donations benefit the children of Cradles to Crayons.
Activities will include:

• Performance by skater, Kara Gill from Foxborough, MA
• Ribbon Cutting Ceremony featuring Pat Patriot & Patriots Cheerleaders
• Music from MIX 104.1 & AMP 103.3 Street Teams

  The Giving Tree lighting ceremony at Patriot Place link
On Friday November 20th Patriot Place is hosting the annual giving tree lighting celebration.
If you enjoy shopping at Patriot place, caroling, candy canes, horse drawn sleighs, meeting Santa and Mrs. Claus and helping a child in need, then this event is for you.
 Visitors to Patriot Place are invited to take an ornament from the tree and purchase the assigned gift to fulfill a child’s holiday wish.  Patriot Place and Cradles To Crayons are teaming up to fulfill children holiday wishes.
Get out, spend some time with your family and friends and give a coat and/or present to a child in need…Everyone wins!!!
 Photos on the field with Santa Event:
Ever dream of walking across the same field that the four time Super Bowl Champions, the New England Patriots play on? How about capturing your family holiday photo on that same field? On Friday, November 27 from 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM you can get your photo taken with Santa on the Gillette Stadium field!*
How do you get on the field? You may choose one of the two options below for admission to the field:
- Donate a new or gently used coat or hat/glove set to Cradles to Crayons
- Donate $20 to Cradles to Crayons
*One admission grants field access for up to (4) people. Guests will drop off donations at NRG Plaza and enter the field through the Blue Gate (near the Gillette Stadium lighthouse). This event is weather permitting. Based on a first come first serve basis. Admittance not allowed after 4:00 PM.
Your photo will be available online for a FREE download following the event! Guests are welcome to bring their own camera to capture this special moment!
Other fun holiday donation links:
 The North Pole Express (Sunday December 13th)
-Proceeds go to the Scituate CORSE Foundation (Community of Resources for Special Education) and SHORE(Scituate High Opportunities and Resources for Education)
- www. scituatenorthpoleexpress.com
Christmas donation events range from "Make a Wish" to "Operation Christmas Child"
-www.christianity.about.com/od/holidaytips/tp/christmascharit.htm
Holiday toy donation events in CT: 
- Donation events range from "Stock a Cruiser" to a Holiday 5K
- connecticut.mommypoppins.com/kids/holiday-toy-donation-events-in connecticut