It’s the season of everything chocolate-based, star-shaped, and festively decorated. Yes, we’re verbatim describing the counter that sits in the entryway of the RCM office this December and every December in recent memory. We LOVE that our friends support the cocoa farmers (we know they’ve had a tough year) and never want to diminish that. But out of love for both our waistlines, and peace of mind, we’d like to suggest a different kind of “sweet giving” that can be expressed through donations to some missions and companies that we wholeheartedly support:

• The Boys and Girls club is a great organization that helps kids in need year round, and is also especially helpful throughout the holiday season. There are a couple people at RCM that participate in the program, and your donation goes to supporting programs and continuing to match Bigs and Littles. Donate here.
• By donating to Camp One Step, you’re funding a program that helps empower, support, educate, and provide some fun to children (age 5-19) who have been diagnosed with cancer.
• Don’t forget our furry friends, they’re also in need of some holiday spirit. Donate toys, pet food, cleaning supplies, or monetary donations to help keep the animals safe and happy through this holiday season. If you’re looking for a particular place, PAWS Chicago is a great start.
• We also have some team members that are involved with the Sky Foundation, a foundation that provides funding to scientists and clinicians who are pursuing research for early detection, prevention and treatment of pancreatic cancer.
• Camp Kesem’s aim is to be a child’s friend through and beyond a parent’s cancer. Cancer is hard, and supporting this organization helps to ease the burden the entire family feels.
• The Wounded Warrior project is a national charity that supports returning U.S. veterans who incurred a physical or mental injury, illness, or wound while serving in the military on or after September 11, 2001.
• Since we are in the financial industry, we also like to suggest Help For Children (formally Hedge Funds Care), which is a cause that helps prevent and treat child abuse both locally and abroad, and is primarily supported by the alternative investments community.
• And if none of these organizations support something that matters to you, pick your own cause using Just Giving or GoFundMe.

Thank you in advance from the RCM Alts team, and happy holidays.