Thinking Taxman? Go on a Giving Spree!

It's the last day of 2012, but you can get a jump on your New Year's resolution to help others and take advantage of the tax benefits of giving this year by donating online to local nonprofits.

Here are some suggestions, with links to the organizations' online donation sites (just click on the name of the organization). Share your favorite local nonprofits in the comments:

Mercer Island Youth & Family Services Foundation

Mercer Island Youth and Family Services is a unique public/private partnership with the City of Mercer Island to provide human services and assistance to residents and families in need. The organization is largely supported by a non-profit foundation and proceeds from sales at the Mercer Island Thrift Shop.

Friends of Mercer Island Library

The Friends of Mercer Island Library is a popular non-profit organization on the Island which seeks to support and improve library services at the King County Library System-affiliated branch. Members also volunteer regularly at the library as staff assistants. The non-profit is well known for their Fall Book Sale and Silent Auction events, from which all proceeds are reinvested in librarian services and library materials and media.

The Friendship Circle

The Friendship Circle pairs teen volunteers in grades eight through twelve, with special needs children in the community, offering both the volunteers and the children a special bond of friendship. Various programs and activities are scheduled that help the kids learn various skills and build strong relationships between everyone involved.

Mercer Island Community Fund

The Mercer Island Community Fund collects, invests and distributes money to various organizations that work to improve life and the community on Mercer Island. It works with organizations that promote cultural, environmental, health and social welfare goals, as well as charities, educational programs and recreational programs.

Mercer Island Schools Foundation

The Mercer Island Schools Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to maintaining and improving education in Mercer Island public schools. The Foundation holds several community fundraisers a year to support the schools, such as the annual Phone-a-Thon Campaign and the Breakfast of Champions event in April. Money raised from those events are invested in hiring more educators for the school district, investing in a new curriculum, buying new textbooks, classroom materials and supporting classroom enrichment and professional development.

Senior Foundation of Mercer Island

Senior Foundation of Mercer Island develops non-profit programs that enhance the health, safety and well-being of Mercer Island's seniors. The organization offers many volunteer opportunities and sponsors fundraisers and forums related to aging issues.

The Rotary Club Of Mercer Island

The Rotary Club of Mercer Island is a service club focused on promoting humanitarian goals worldwide. The club supports regional efforts such as Rotary First Harvest and also holds sponsors an annual half-marathon on Mercer Island every March.

Operation Bald Eagle

Operation Bald Eagle offers several services that are performed throughout the year as a way to give back to Law Enforcement, Fire & Medics, Military and their immediate families out of Western Washington. (Care packages out to the troops several times a year, visits to the VA Hospitals in Seattle/Tacoma several times a year, Project Picking up the Pieces to the families affected by loss and their respective agency/department or military service. Along with other coordination with local businesses to serving our “Patriot Groups” when called upon.

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There are certainly many more deserving local nonprofits. Share the love by posting your favorite, with a link, in the comments below.