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We love the holidays mostly because of special treats that many establishments offer exclusively for the season. But indulgences need not be guilt-laden, as it's still possible to enjoy and give back at the same time.

 

You can share your blessings through special campaigns of some of your favorite establishments such as Ronald McDonald's House Charities (RMHC)'s literacy advocacy, or take your pick from the advocacies supported by The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf's "Give in to Giving" promo. Learn how you can support these campaigns after the jump.

RMHC has partnered with the Department of Education for the "Bright Minds Read" (BMR) program. Launched in 2002, BMR aims to develop beginning reading materials and strategies for public school teachers and children. Funds culled from BMR are used to supply BMR kits containing 32 storybooks, lesson plans for teachers, and worksheets for students, worth P10,000 each. On its fifth year, BMR donated kits for 2,000 schools. RMHC aims to produce enough BMR kits for 37,000 public schools all over the country by 2013.

You can support this program in three ways--either by sponsoring BMR kits for a local school of your choice, patronizing McDonald's Happy Meals (a portion of sales benefits BMR), or dropping your change at McDonald's Donation Canister, available in all McDonald's outlets.

Meanwhile, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf gives you the chance to support an advocacy of your choice when you complete their 12-drink stamp card for their "Give in to Giving" promo. Once all the stamps are completed for Ice Blended, Espresso-based, Tea Latte, and Double Chocolate drinks, you can choose one of CB&TL's 12 partner advocacies as beneficiary of a portion of the sales.

Completing the stamp card also entitles you to a limited edition commemorative journal designed by 12 of the most important Filipino artists today. And if you choose to support all the advocacies by completing 12 stamp cards, you'll get one year's supply of brewed coffee for free!

For a complete list of The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf-supported advocacies, click here.

So, take your pick: which advocacy would you support this Christmas?

For those interested in RMHC's BMR program, contact Ms. Zonito Torrevillas, executive director of RMHC, at 888-8500 or e-mail zonito.torrevillas@ph.mcd.com. The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf's promo runs from November 7, 2008 to January 18, 2009, and the limited edition notebook can be claimed from November 7, 2008 to March 18, 2009. You can also visit their website at www.coffeebean.com.ph.