The Holidays are a Time for Giving

The holidays are a time to help those in need. And, it's also the last week to make charitable contributions that can be deducted on this year's taxes. 

So here are some great local charities that deserved a check:

The ARC of Essex County, 6 Provost Square, Caldwell. The ARC of Essex County provides recreation, education and development services for mentally disabled children and adults. The center's warm and caring staff of nearly 500 people works with more than 1,300 people each week, facilitating more than 44 programs.

The Bridge 14 Park Ave., Caldwell. The Bridge, Inc., is a private, nonprofit community agency that has been helping families in the Essex County area since 1971.  All our services are designed to strengthen the family and promote the personal growth of children, adolescents, adults and seniors.

Caldwell United Methodist Church, 8 Academy Road, Caldwell. On Dec. 16, 1945, ground was broken for the present church school building. Construction was completed the following year. A connecting building was erected in 1962 joining the church and church school.

Caldwell College, 120 Bloomfield Ave., Caldwell. The college is a Catholic, co-educational, four-year liberal arts institution, committed to intellectual rigor, individual attention and the ethical values of the Judaeo-Christian academic tradition. http://caldwell.edu/giving/

St. Aloysius Roman Catholic Church, 219 Bloomfield Ave., Caldwell. The church was founded in 1892. During this century, the parish has served the West Essex area of the Archdiocese of Newark. The parishioners have helped make the parish a community of faith, prayer and service.

St. Anthony of Padua Church, 103 Gould Ave., North Caldwell. In 2004, parishioners were unhappy with the direction the Archdiocese of Newark took with the church. Several hundred of the parishioners established their own independent church in Fairfield that was then moved to its current location on Gould Avenue in August 2006.

Congregation Agudath Israel of West Essex, 20 Academy Road, Caldwell. The Conservative synagogue boasts a vibrant congregation with more than 1,200 current members. It is actively involved in events not only in the community, but also in the state of Israel as a member of the Masorti movement. The synagogue features a nursery school, religious school, events, programs and classes for congregants to develop a Head and Heart feeling about Judaism.  

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 209 Mountain Ave., North Caldwell. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, commonly called the Mormons, teaches the gospel of Jesus Christ as the way to peace and happiness. The church uses the Book of Mormon as evidence of the restoration of God's truth as revealed to Joseph Smith and encourages prayer to confirm this truth. 

First Presbyterian Church at Caldwell, 326 Bloomfield Ave., Caldwell. The First Presbyterian Church at Caldwell, with its soaring steeple, is still today a focal point in Caldwell, much like it was more than 200 years ago.

Presbyterian Church of West Caldwell, 31 Fairfield Ave., West Caldwell. The church holds services each Sunday morning at 10 a.m. 

, 359 Central Ave., North Caldwell. Notre Dame Church was founded in 1962 to accommodate the growing Catholic population.

Vero Amici for Charity, P.O. Box 1264, West Caldwell. Vero Amici, which translates to "True Friends," mission is to raise money through charitable contributions that will be dedicated for children, handicap citizens, senior citizens and under-privileged youths who need medical or financial assistance and to promote local awareness in our communities.