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GREENSBORO - It's the season of giving, but how best to give? How about thinking smaller?

Large, multi-pronged organizations such as The United Way spread a wealth of good deeds in every community. But there are smaller groups looking out for the less fortunate in the Triad. Giving to and volunteering with them can make an immediate, tangible impact.

Here's a trio of local groups that can use hands and donations this season:

NightWatch

What it does: NightWatch is a nondenominational Christian group that ministers to the homeless where they live: on the streets, under bridges and in camps in the woods. Sponsored by The Salvation Army of Greensboro, and using that group's mobile disaster unit and vans, NightWatch volunteers pray with the homeless and distribute blankets, hygiene kits and hot food.

Often short of supplies and volunteers, the group is down to just one event in December because of a scarcity of certified drivers.

"The group was born on Christmas five years ago," says Steven Stills, director of maintenance and facilities for the Salvation Army. "It started on the corner of Greene Street and Elm. We went out with the mobile kitchen and we ended up meeting a homeless man and giving him donuts, coffee and a blanket. It was like we gave him gold. That's what the Salvation Army started as, and that's what it's all about."

How to give: Donations can be made by mail to Men of Vision & Excellence, P.O. Box 4511, Greensboro, NC 27404, or online at www.networkforgood.org. Checks and online donations should include a note that the donation is for NightWatch. Donations are also taken at Salvation Army stores in Greensboro.

A list of needed items is available at http://nightwatchgreensboro.com/donate/

Malachi House

What it does: A 12-month residential mentoring program for men with drug and alcohol addictions, Malachi House graduates about 70 participants every year - 90 percent of them from Guilford County and many just out of prison.

Pastor Cliff Lovick, the program's executive director, knows where the men are coming from. He's a former drug dealer and gangbanger who went to prison before finding religion, going to college and devoting his life to social work.

The program also provides emergency shelter, food, counseling and job training for about 100 substance abusers every month.

Using faith-based and secular approaches, the nonprofit house costs about $2 million a year to run and depends on charitable contributions.

How to give: Tax-deductible donations can be made by check to Malachi House, P.O. Box 20803, Greensboro, NC 27420, or online at www.malachihouse.net

Leslie's House

What it does: A women's homeless shelter in High Point's West End, Leslie's House offers beds, food and counseling to an often-overlooked group, single women. Though there are many men's-only shelters and shelters for families, single homeless women can have a hard time finding shelter, forcing them to stay in dangerous relationships or to go into prostitution. The 22-bed house opened last year with furniture, food and supplies all coming from donations.

How to give: Tax-deductible donations can be made to Leslie's House, 901 English Road, High Point, NC 27262. A list of needed items can be found at www.edpricetriad.com/LesliesHouse/Contributions.htm

Contact Joe Killian at 883-4422, Ext. 228, or joe.killian@news-record.com