5 Bethel Nonprofits To Support This Holiday Season

Seasonal & Holidays

Maintaining funding is a constant challenge for many nonprofits that fill gaps and meet other needs in the Bethel area.

BETHEL, CT — If you're like many of your Bethel neighbors, you may spend a good part of the holiday season with your credit card in hand buying gifts for family and friends. Coming up soon is a chance to give back to the local community.

Giving Tuesday , which in 2024 falls on Dec. 3, is a day dedicated to supporting nonprofit and community groups. Since 2012, nonprofits worldwide have used the Tuesday after Thanksgiving to galvanize fundraising, rally volunteers and add momentum to their causes.

Maintaining funding is a constant challenge for many nonprofits that fill gaps and meet other needs in the Bethel area.

Here are five local nonprofits to consider getting behind on Giving Tuesday:

1. Brotherhood In Action of Bethel, Inc. — Brotherhood In Action of Bethel is an all-volunteer team dedicated to providing essential assistance, including food, rent, utilities and other financial aid, to families in need throughout Connecticut. The team collects and distributes food at Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter, and continually supports the St. Thomas Food Pantry.
2. Ability Beyond — Ability Beyond provides services to over 3,000 individuals in New York and Connecticut — including Fairfield County — who are living with developmental disabilities, autism, brain injury, mental illness and physical challenges. The globally recognized nonprofit's mission is to develop innovative programs and best practices to support participants, with a focus on improving quality of life and promoting independence.
3. Danbury Animal Welfare Society — DAWS in Bethel focuses on promoting responsible pet ownership and the humane treatment of animals, as well as addressing animal overpopulation through education and various programs. There are several ways you can give back, including through donations, shopping with partners and buying items from the organization's Wish List.
4. SCOTTY Fund — The SCOTTY Fund provides financial and family support to children with life-threatening and critical illnesses, as well as their families. It was founded by Linda and Mark Anderson in memory of their son, Scott, who lost his life to cancer. Over the past 28 years, the SCOTTY Fund has provided over $2.75 million in support to those in need.
5. Bethel Historical Society — The Bethel Historical Society is an organization dedicated to preserving and sharing the history and heritage of the town. In addition to archiving historical documents and maintaining historic sites, the nonprofit also organizes educational and community-based events like the Colonial Kids Camp and the Children's Victorian Christmas Tea Party.