With a new year fast approaching, it's time to do some good for local charitable organizations — and for your tax returns — by making some tax deductible contributions to worthy local causes before Jan. 1.

Here's a list of a few of the remarkable organizations that make Maplewood and South Orange extra special places to live. If we missed your favorite, please add it in the Comments.

• This year, the Maplewood Volunteer First Aid Squad lost its Chief, Bruce Mandel, with his sudden death this past October. The First Aid Squad still continues to serve our community and is entirely dependent on voluntary contributions from the community. Read more about the Squad here (including how to contribute).
• South Orange Rescue Squad — An all-volunteer squad established in 1952 to provide Emergency Medical Services (EMS) to South Orange residents, occasionally responding as well to mutual aid calls in Maplewood, West Orange and Newark. The squad has 40 members, who are required to commit to one 12-hour shift per week. The squad is on call from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., seven days a week, and from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday through Sunday.
• The HK Community Fund supports local community events like Maplewoodstock and provides training and activities for local teenagers. The organization also helps organize the community around personal and communal crises. Recently, HK took up the cause of the Angelo family.
• EIES of New Jersey — EIES in South Orange helps those unable to read because of a visual disability by converting newspapers, magazines and other text into audio files that are then distributed via audiotapes, radio, cable TV, telephone and the Internet. 
• The Valerie Fund in Maplewood supports comprehensive health care services for children with cancer and blood disorders. It also runs Camp Happy Times, a summer camp in Pennsylvania. Donate here.
• The ACHIEVE Foundation (formerly SOMEF) provides funds to the South Orange-Maplewood School District to help support teachers' projects and other work throughout the district. For example, ACHIEVE has committed to raising $350,000 for the renovation and restoration of the Columbia High School auditorium.
• The Columbia High School Scholarship Fund (CHSSF) provides scholarships to dozens of CHS graduates every year, helping students afford college tuition.
• JESPY House — JESPY House of South Orange is a program for adults with learning and developmental disabilities, who learn to live independently and find employment through the program. You can donate by visiting here.
• Little Miabelle Gillier's story affected many earlier this year, with South Orange and Maplewood residents showing up to be tested as possible bone marrow donors for the infant who lived in Maplewood with her family before locating to Ohio for her treatment. Help Miabelle and others by making your gift to Be The Match. (And, never fear! Little Miabelle is doing well! Catch up with Miabelle and family here.)
• St. George’s Episcopal Church in Maplewood is looking for contributions to its capital campaign. Payments by check will need to be received by the church office by 3 p.m. Friday, December 30. Call the office in advance to make sure the office is open if you are walking the check in: 973-762-1319. For more information on contributing, visit www.stgeorges-maplewood.org.
• The South Mountain Conservancy works with the County of Essex to maintain, restore and beautify the South Mountain Reservation, its plantings and trails. Learn how to volunteer, join or donate here.

For a more comprehensive list of charitable organizations, visit the community resources pages on South Orange Patch and on Maplewood Patch.