Thanksgiving and the Delightful Dozen

We all give thanks by giving back.
In November, I always celebrate my birthday - 53 total so far – with a series of small checks in honor of folks who make East Texas so fabulous.
I just wish I had more money. I started posting the lists when I started writing this column to make your “shopping” easier as Christmas approaches.
This year, with all the talk of recession, I am focusing on faith-based ministries that address physical or emotional needs. I am also highlighting some organizations that are economically sensible choices because they make East Texas an appealing place to live or visit.
1) Christus Mission Clinic, 307 Cain Street, Bullard TX 75757 903-894-0109.
2) Bethesda Health Clinic, 409 W. Ferguson, Tyler TX, 903-596-8353 or www.bethesdaclinic.org.
3) CARE, Christ-centered Abortion Recovery of East Texas, www.careabortionrecovery.com.
4) Meals on Wheals Ministry Inc, 3001 Robertson Road, Tyler TX 75701, 800-451-2912 or 903-593-7385 or www.mealsonwheelseasttexas.org.
5) Project HEAT, Healthy Action Eating Team, devoted to impacting American health by changing the way the next generation and their families eat, PO Box 1278, Chandler TX 75758 or www.projectheatonline.org.
6) Pine Cove Christian Camps, PO Box 9055, Tyler TX 75711, 903-561-0231 or www.pinecove.com.
7) Boys and Girls Club of East Texas, 504 W. 32nd St, Tyler TX 75702, 903.593.9211 or Lauren@bgcet.org.
8) Literacy Council of Tyler, PO Box 6662, Tyler TX 75711, 903.533.0330 or go to www.lcotyler.org.
9) Living Alternatives, PO Box 131466, Tyler TX 75713, 903.882.0182 or www.livingalternatives.org.
10) The Women’s Symphony League of Tyler, 107 E. Erwin, Tyler, TX 75702, 903.596.9154 or www.wsltyler.org.
11) American Freedom Museum, AMF Development, 1051 N. Houston St, Bullard TX 75757 or www.americanfreedommuseum.org.
12) East Texas Hall of Fame Museum and Cultural Arts Complex, in the early planning stages, via The Arts & Humanities Council of East Texas. Call 903.216.3671 or go to www.artscouncilet.org
I wanted to give you a sentence about why I love each of the above, but I ran out of column inches. So, please go to their websites or better yet, volunteer.
Picking only a dozen non-profits in East Texas is nearly impossible. If your favorite was not on my list this year, just send me their address and why you love ‘em. I would love an excuse to get your best-loved nonprofit in before the first of the year, too.
Cathy Primer Krafve, aka Checklist Charlie, lives and writes with a Texas twang. Comments are invited at http://checklistcharlie.blogspot.com.