Chocolate has been in the news a lot lately. As the holiday season is upon, chocolate-themed events for the benefit of others have been cropping up all over the country. To help spread good tidings and great cheer, I’d like to share a few of them with you this week.

First, let’s take a look at the Hot Chocolate Run in North Hampton, Massachusetts. Thousands of people turned up to run through North Hampton one Sunday morning, braving the cold temperatures, to raise money and awareness in the hopes of putting a stop to domestic violence.

In total, 5,500 runners participated in the event, and raised over $375,000 for the cause. This was actually the 11^th year of the North Hampton Hot Chocolate Run. The funds will go toward shelter costs, legal assistance, and counseling services for those of Safe Passage, a local domestic abuse center. An organization which provides services for more than 100 people each year.

Bethlehem, PA is also taking part in chocolate fundraisers. As part of the city’s charm, the Bethlehem police feature a horse mounted unit which is largely community-funded. Friends of the group need to raise $15-20,000 annually to support veterinary care, training and equipment for the unit.

This year, the Bethlehem Mounted Unit Friends Group is selling a special holiday chocolate box featuring a photograph of the city’s original mounted unit from the early 1900s and delicious chocolate-covered pecan and caramel treats named Clip Clops.

A few hundred miles south, St. Louis, Missouri supports the Ronald McDonald House by means of their own Hot Chocolate 15k/5k. Available to runners new and old, the 5k and 15k races took place on Sunday December 14^th. As thanks for participation, all 15k runners received an official Hot Chocolate St. Louis medal, which is the shape of a scrumptious looking unwrapped chocolate bar.

Of course, there’s always the tried and true hot chocolate stand approach. Sisters Ryleigh and Karli Nieders, along with their family, have been collecting money for Toys for Tots three years running. The family, living in Quincy, Illinois, collects donations, money for the hot cocoa provided, and donated toys to benefit Toys for Tots. One weekend of volunteering this year produced $400 and about 40 toys. The family enjoys stringing up many holiday lights at their house, and welcoming people as they sell the hot cocoa on weekends during the holiday season.

"The first year we told them what we were doing," their mother said, "that they could go pick out toys that we were not taking home. They were just fine with that. They filled the bins at the store and last year we took all the toys out to the warehouse." (Source: WGEM.com)

I hope these few stories of people across America turning chocolate into charitable efforts will be inspirational to us all. Santa will be coming soon! Show him you’ve been good by helping those in need. If you’re looking to help some hungry hands nearby, take a peek at our Chocolate Christmas Cookie Recipes post for some fun and delicious recipes!

Photo: "Ghiradelli Hot Chocolate" by Marit & Toomas Hinnosaar is licensed under CC BY 2.0 / cropped from original

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Ashleigh Rader

Content Developer at Chocolate University Online

All her life, Ashleigh has enjoyed, indulged in, and spread the gift of chocolate. She says, "life's too short to skip dessert." Ashleigh joined CUO to help share on our blog and social networks more about the wonders of chocolate.

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