Tom's Shoes donates one pair of shoes to a needy child for each pair purchased. Photo by Emily Lerman/LAist Waking up early for Black Friday's "doorbusters" sounds like the anti-fun. So here are some of LAist's Holiday Picks for the philanthropist in you, none of which involve any malls, massive stores or long lines. All of these gifts have a charitable element to them, benefiting mostly local or national organizations so you're really giving two......

Photo by TomorrowGirl via LAist Featured Photos on Flickr SERVE DINNER IN THE PARK Every year, on Thanksgiving Day, the Union Station Homeless Services sponsors Thanksgiving Dinner-in-the-Park held in Pasadena's Central Park. How you can help: -Volunteer at the event (Thanksgiving Day; especially needed between 1pm and 4pm). -Volunteer the day before the event. -Donate prepared food; items needed (pdf). Call 626.240.4550 x542 or email for more details; families and children welcome. GOBBLE GOBBLE GIVE......

GOOD Sheet Image used with permission from GOOD Magazine | See larger and readable image here A NIGHT FOR HOPE Tonight, Our House hosts "A Night for Hope", their first annual fundraiser at Bodega Wine Bar in Santa Monica. Our House offers nonsectarian grief support for children, teens and adults. They seek to provide the community "with grief support services, education, resources, and hope." Throughout LA County, trained volunteers lead age- and relationship-specific grief support......

SCHOOL ON WHEELS ART EXHIBIT: In a country where we spend three times more per prisoner than public school student, it's crucial we support those organizations dedicated to education. Over the summer, School on Wheels (previously mentioned on PhiLAnthropist) paired up some students with art teacher Clinton Bopp, from the Brentwood Art Center. Bopp volunteered his time with the students, helping them create a couple of different projects while allowing them to realize their creative......

TOP CHEF: Well not exactly, but the Covenant House in Hollywood seeks guest chefs to share their love of cooking and baking with 18-21 year old homeless youth on Sunday evenings. The Covenant House provides food, shelter and counseling as well as education, job skills training, and employment placement to youth living on the street in hopes of forging a brighter future for each individual. They offer mentoring opportunities as well. Contact their volunteer coordinator......

Photo by jimw via Flickr DRINK ABSINTHE AND WATCH "THE BIRDS": This Sunday, The Edison downtown celebrates the 45th Anniversary of Alfred Hitchcock's "The Birds". Originial stars Tippi Hedren and Rod Taylor will be in attendance at this "once in a lifetime celebtration" to which a portion of proceeds will go to the Jules Verne Charity Educational Mission. The organization is dedicated to "education and conservation though imagination", all in the name of saving......

"The measure of any society is how they treat their weakest element. The widows, the orphans, the strangers on the land. How we do anything is how we do everything. We're not doing so well on Skid Row." ~ Sam Slovick For many people living in Los Angeles, Skid Row truly embodies the phrase "out of sight, out of mind". The homelessness, drug abuse, prostitution, violence and mental illness that continue to thrive on Skid......

Submitted & Authored by Emily Lerman Photo by stu_spivack via Flickr LOOKING FOR SOMETHING MORE DIY? START A BURRITO PROJECT: Yes, an LA Burrito Project may already exist, and many people may already be familiar with this low-profile group that seeks to remain a "no fame, no faces organization with no leader or head quarters", but that is not to stop one from starting another one; LA is a big city. In January 2006 two......