Holiday charitable giving trend

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - For weeks, Americans have been preparing for Christmas. In the process, many get caught-up in the "holiday spirit"--between the shopping and the donations.

"People get more of a warm heart during the holiday season and they want to [donate] then", said Mike Scoville of Northfield.

However, sometimes these generous gifts only come once a year when the need is really there year-round.

"We always need clothing and shoes--always. Furniture and household items are good, but clothing and shoes are the biggest need all the time", said Captain Don Sanderson of the Salvation Army in Springfield.

Regardless of the season, there are some who continue to give--even if it's a little something.

"[Before the holidays], after, doesn't really matter--if they ask and it's legitimate we'll do it", said Loretta Vinson of Vermont.

Remember, there's never a deadline when it comes to donating--whether that be volunteering your time or a monetary gift.

If you decide to donate money however, it's important to be cautious of the scams that are out there. For some tips on how you can check the validity of a charity you'd like to help, visit the Better Business Bureau's website .