All Over Albany

Holiday charities 2014

photo: Flickr user Hamed Saber (cc)

This month we talked with a bunch of people about holiday gifts, both giving and getting . And one of the questions was about favorite charities.

A lot people make donations this time of year. So we've gathered all those charities mentioned into one easy-scan list.

If you're still looking for a place to support this year, you might find it on this list...

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Holiday gifts: Deanna Fox

Deanna didn't get the baby brother she asked for. But she did get a Baron.

Gifts and giving are on most everyone's mind this month. So we thought we'd ask a few people to share some thoughts on presents, past and present.

Today's thoughts on gifts and giving come from food writer, cooking instructor, AOA contributor and all around lovely person Deanna Fox.

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Holiday gifts: Daniel B.

Be careful what you wish for...

Gifts and giving are on most everyone's mind this month. So we thought we'd ask a few people to share some thoughts on presents, past and present.

Today's thoughts on gifts and giving come from Daniel B., proprietor of FUSSYlittleBLOG, AOA contributor, and connoisseur of donuts.

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Holiday gifts: Erin Pihlaja

A Range Rover would be nice. Or socks.

Gifts and giving are on most everyone's mind this month. So we thought we'd ask a few people to share some thoughts on presents, past and present.

Erin Pihlaja is the mother of two girls, a Troy resident, and the executive director of the Downtown Troy Business Improvement District.

She envies people who can make their own gifts, but knows herself well enough to not try to knit or bake cookies.

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Holiday gifts: Lauren Hittinger Hodgson

Lauren's answer about her favorite gift from when she was a kid includes a photo and some powerful cuteness.

Gifts and giving are on most everyone's mind this month. So we thought we'd ask a few people to share some thoughts on presents, past and present.

Next up in the series is Lauren Hittinger Hodgson, a local freelance writer and regular contributor to All Over Albany. She also maintains her own blog, The Thrifty Ginger.

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Holiday gifts: Sean Desiree

Gifts Sean Desiree has in mind this year: things made and used.

Gifts and giving are on most everyone's mind this month. So we thought we'd ask a few people to share some thoughts on presents, past and present.

Next up: Sean Desiree shares her holiday gifts and causes.

Sean is a self-taught furniture maker who uses reclaimed wood at her business, South End Pallet Works. She's also a performer under the name bell's roar.

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Holiday gifts: Ethan Ullman

Ethan wants to put a little ho,ho,ho in the holidays.

Gifts and giving are on most everyone's mind this month. So we thought we'd ask a few people to share some thoughts on presents, past and present.

Next up: standup comedian and host of Storytime Time, Ethan Ullman.

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Holiday gifts: Rachel Person

Hard working outreach coordinator seeks respite from responsibility

Gifts and giving are on most everyone's mind this month. So we thought we'd ask a few people to share some thoughts on presents, past and present.

Today's gift giver is Rachel Person.

Rachel is the events and community outreach Coordinator at Northshire Books in Saratoga. Rachel is an Albany High Alum who spent six years working at Symphony Space in New York City as the Associate Director of the NPR program Selected Shorts: A Celebration of the Short Story. Today she's the Events and Community Outreach Coordinator at Northshire Books in Saratoga.

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Holiday gifts: Brandon Jones

How do you gift wrap time?

Gifts and giving are on most everyone's mind this month. So we thought we'd ask a few people to share some thoughts on presents, past and present.

Brandon Jones is a musical theater teacher and performer from Albany. He's performed locally and in New York City and is currently the music director for Schenectady Light Opera's production of Shrek: The Musical.

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Holiday gifts: Katie O'Malley Maloney

Christmas 1989 was a banner year for young Katie O.

Gifts and giving are on most everyone's mind this month. So we thought we'd ask a few people to share some thoughts on presents, past and present.

Today, we've asked Katie O'Malley Maloney to talk about her favorite gifts. Katie is the woman behind Katie O' Weddings & Events, an event planning and coordination firm in Troy.

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Holiday gifts: Elizabeth Zunon

Artist Elizabeth Zunon

Gifts and giving are on most everyone's mind this month. So we thought we'd ask a few people to share some thoughts on presents, past and present.

Next in the series, Elizabeth Zunon. Elizabeth grew up in Cote d'Ivoire, West Africa, where the bright, colored patterns of everyday fabrics and tropical vegetation left a lasting impact. Today she lives in Albany, where she illustrates children's picture books, including The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind and the upcoming One Plastic Bag.

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Holiday gifts: Sean Rowe

Gifts and giving are on most everyone's mind this month. So we thought we'd ask a few people to share some thoughts on presents, past and present.

Next up: Capital Region-based musician and naturalist Sean Rowe.

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Holiday gifts: Heather LaVine

At the intersection of wine, rescue pups and baseball, you'll find Heather LaVine

Gifts and giving are on most everyone's mind this month. So we thought we'd ask a few people to share some thoughts on presents, past and present.

Next up, Heather LaVine, the co-owner of Lucas Confectionery and The Grocery in Troy. LaVine and her husband, Vic Christopher, are restoring the 18th-century building that houses their current businesses, and are working on reopening The Tavern on Broadway.

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Holiday gifts: Lecco Morris

Lecco is the one on the right

Gifts and giving are on most everyone's mind this month. So we thought we'd ask a few people to share some thoughts on presents, past and present.

First up: Lecco Morris.

Lecco grew up in the Capital Region and, after several years in New York City and a year traveling Europe, is now one of the administrators of The Chefs' Consortium, which gets chefs involved with helping people learn about local food. He is also a talented jazz pianist, poet, and actor.

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