Charity starts at home, and in the Florida Keys there is an abundance of worthy organizations deserving of your financial and/or volunteer support this holiday season. 

Children

Bahama Village Music Program has inspired the musical aspirations of hundreds of kids in Key West over the past two decades by providing instruments, education and performance opportunities. Support a musician at bvmpkw.com/donations. 

Florida Keys Children’s Shelter is a haven for children in need as well as counseling services for youth. Give by surfing over to: keysshelter.kindful.com. 

Florida Keys Healthy State Coalition aims to improve the health and well-being of pregnant women, children and their families in Monroe County. Help the cause by visiting keyshealthystart.org. 

Florida Keys Toys for Tots program collects new, unwrapped toys throughout the holiday season for less fortunate children. Visit Florida Keys Toys for Tots on Facebook to help the local drive. 

The Educational Coalition for Monroe County helps students and families facing special circumstances with basic necessities, academic support, holiday wishes, weekend food bags and more. To donate, email christina.belotti@yahoo.com.

Presents in Paradise operates to make sure every kid in the Florida Keys experiences the magic of the holidays by providing clothes, toys and other necessities. Go to www.presents-in-paradise.com to learn how you can help. 

Take Stock in Children provides Florida Prepaid college scholarships to qualified 6th-10th graders in low-income households in Monroe County

Voices for Florida Keys Children is dedicated to the betterment of abandoned, abused and neglected children in Monroe County. Donate or become a supporting member by visiting voiceskids.org. 

Wesley House Family Services provides foster and adoptive services for the entire county including parenting classes and daycare. Visit wesleyhouse.org to help out the kids. 

Humans

A Positive Step of Monroe County has been serving Monroe County’s highest risk kids and their families since 1999. APSMC identifies unmet needs and provides services to meet them, including summer jobs, a Fatherhood Initiative and more. apsmc.org

Active Disabled Americans is an organization based in Key Largo that provides accessible boating experiences to people living with physical and mental disabilities. Visit activedisabledamericans.org to learn more. 

AH of Monroe County Inc. provides medical case management, affordable housing, health education, preventative services, and linkage to care. Visit ahmonroe.org. 

Autism Society of the Keys serves families in the Keys affected by Autism, the greatest health epidemic in the world today. Visit autismsocietyofthekeys.com to learn more. 

Baptist Health Foundation has many philanthropic opportunities that support healthcare facilities and programs in Monroe County. See baptisthealth.net/baptist-health-foundation for more information. 

Coldwell Banker Charitable Foundation is dedicated to helping Keys’ residents whose critical needs are not being met through other means. Help the cause by visiting gooddeedsinthekeys.org.

Burton Memorial Food Panty provides a hearty hot meal and food items to the Upper Keys community. Visit bmumc.net to learn how you can help. 

Domestic Abuse Shelter provides victims of domestic abuse and their families with safe emergency shelter, safety planning, risk assessments, crisis intervention and other support and advocacy services at no charge. Go to domesticabuseshelter.org to help. 

First Baptist Church of Islamorada Food Pantry provides residents with a sit-down, hot meal, grocery items and clothing. To help the cause, visit thecommunityministry.org.

Good Health Clinic serves as a healthcare home for the low-income and uninsured residents of the Florida Keys. Support the cause by visiting thegoodhealthclinic.org.

Habitat for Humanity is a nationally recognized organization making a significant impact in the Florida Keys by building and financing homes for deserving locals families. Visit habitatupperkeys.org to support Islamorada, Tavernier and Key Largo. Hit habitatmiddlekeys.org for Marathon and www.habitatlowerkeys.org for the Lower Keys and Key West. 

KAIR is a certified food pantry based in Marathon that also provides needy families with rental and utility assistance, school supplies, transportation and much more. Call 305.743.4582 to give. 

MARC supports adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities to understand daily community routines and learn social, self-care, vocational skills. See marchouse.org for more information. 

Queer Keys supports, educates, empowers and celebrates the queer community in the Florida Keys.

Samuel’s House provides housing and essential services to the homeless men, women and children of our community. Visit samuelshouse.org for more information. 

SOS Foundation fosters a healthier Monroe County community by increasing food access and nutrition education. Learn how you can help by visiting sosfoundation.org. 

The Salvation Army provides emergency financial assistance, disaster services, and holiday assistance to individuals and families in the Florida Keys. Visit salvationarmyfloridakeys.org to learn more. 

United Way of Collier and the Keys supports a number of organizations throughout Monroe County, so for those who want to spread the joy — the United Way is the place to give. Click on uwcollierkeys.org/give. 

Womankind is a medical and wellness center providing family planning and health care to people of all income levels. Visit womankindkeywest.org to learn more. 

Animals

Dolphin Research Center is a nonprofit research and education center that provides a home for dolphins, sea lions, parrots and tortoises. The center also operates a manatee rescue team for the entire Keys. Click on dolphins.org for donation information. 

Dolphins Plus Marine Mammal Responder leads and operates the only whale and dolphin stranding organization covering 10,000 square miles of marine habitat in the Florida Keys. Visit dpmmr.org to learn how you can help. 

Florida Keys SPCA is dedicated to the humane treatment of all animals through compassionate care, adoption, education, population control and humane law enforcement. The SPCA has a Key West and Marathon campus with adorable furry faces. Click on fkspca.org to learn how you can donate. 

Florida Keys Wild Bird Center rescues, rehabilitates, shelters and releases wild birds that have been displaced or harmed. Support the birds by visiting keepthemflying.org. 

Forgotten Felines of the Florida Keys’ primary goal is to trap, spay/neuter and treat homeless and abandoned cats. The group practices the humane TNR method: trap, spay/neuter and return. Adoptions of cats and kittens are offered when available. Donations can be made at forgottenfelinesofthefloridakeys.com.

Key West Wildlife Center provides a wildlife rescue and rehabilitation center with a 6-acre park for viewing native birds in the wild. kleywestwildlifecenter.org

Marathon Wild Bird Center’s sole purpose is to rescue, rehabilitate and release both migratory and resident wild birds when they become sick, injured or orphaned. Visit marathonwildbirdcenter.org to learn how you can help. 

MarrVelous Pet Rescues provides care and treatment for abandoned and stray pets. Help the cause by visiting mprrescue.org. 

Pawsitive Beginnings provides a safe and happy home to foxes that have been saved from fur farms, all while supporting local children with a new animal therapy den. Learn more at pawsitivebeginnings.org.

Payton’s Promise Sanctuary provides a “soft place to land” for dogs who are homeless, have special needs, are nearing end-of-life or are otherwise difficult to adopt. Surf over to paytonspromisesanctuary.org to donate. 

The Turtle Hospital is a fully-functioning veterinary hospital for sick and injured sea turtles. The center rescues, rehabs and releases sea turtles in the Florida Keys. Visit turtlehospital.org to see how you can help. 

Upper Keys Humane Society is a no-kill shelter that provides food, shelter and medical care and adoption services for unwanted abandoned animals. Support their efforts by visiting ukhsociety.org. 

Environment

Conch Republic Marine Army volunteers remove shoreline trash and restore marine habitats. Learn more about their efforts at conchrepublicmarinearmy.org. 

Coral Restoration Foundation restores coral reefs on a massive scale, educates on the importance of our oceans, and uses science to further coral research. Visit coralrestoration.org to learn more. 

I.CARE brings together local businesses, residents and visitors in the restoration and maintenance of our coral reef communities in Islamorada. Visit icareaboutcoral.org to help. 

MarineLab uses education and adventure in the Florida Keys ecosystem to foster environmental awareness and stewardship. See how you can support the cause by visiting marinelab.org.

Mote Marine Laboratory is one of the world’s leading marine science, research and education organizations and has a major presence and commitment to the Florida Key. See mote.org to see how you can donate. 

Pigeon Key Foundation protects the cultural history of the Keys while serving as a marine science and education facility for youth locally and from around the world. Surf over to pigeonkey.net to learn how you can help. 

Plant a Million Corals sets out to ensure the survival of our reefs globally by reproducing fast growing and resilient corals, and by providing education on coral reefs. Visit plantamillioncorals.org for more information. 

Reef Relief is dedicated to improving and protecting our coral reef ecosystem through research, education, advocacy, public awareness and ecotourism. Visit reefrelief.org to see how you can help. 

Reef Renewal USA is dedicated to improving and protecting our coral reef ecosystem through research, education, advocacy, public awareness and ecotourism. Learn more at reefrelief.org. 

R3EACH involves Research, Rescue and Rehabilitation of the threatened marine species and Education and Awareness for Communities about the fragile marine habitats that make up the Florida Keys. Visit floridakeyssquariumencounters.com and click the “Conservation” tab to learn more about the nonprofit. 

Reef Environmental Education Foundation protects marine life worldwide through education, service and research. Learn more at reef.org.