Being part of a community that is rich in culture and architecture has always been interesting to me. As the holidays draw closer, Providence is finding new ways to celebrate what makes our city unique. This December you have the chance improve a building as well as enjoy those that have been lovingly restored to splendor.

Architecture for Humanity has helped people and communities in countries like Haiti, Japan and South Africa, as well as, in the United States, focusing on keeping places safe and sustainable by rebuilding communities, alleviating poverty and creating spaces that aid in community causes. The Providence Chapter is a new group of the global organization which is a network of architects, designers, and other building professionals working to brings design, construction and development services to communities in need. To kick start their efforts, the local group has a different initiative with its “Holiday Wish List Exhibition”. This program is asking members of the Providence community to submit 2-D artwork or photography of a property which you wish to be renovated, transformed, or re-purposed. The details needed with the submission are enumerated on their website. All submissions should be emailed or mailed to the address on the Architecture for Humanity, Providence Chapter’s website by December 15th. They will be displayed on the 19th of December.

Though the architecture group is new to Providence, the city has been a national leader in preservation through an organization that was founded by some astute women back in 1956. The Providence Preservation Society offers many programs and each year they showcase some of the historic deliverances which have occurred over the past 50 plus years. This past Sunday, I had James Brayton Hall, executive Director of PPS, on my radio show to discuss aspects of preservation in Providence. We talked on items from their Ten Most Endangered Properties program, to his vision of saving neighborhoods one building at a time, to their upcoming Benefit Street event this Saturday, December 3, 2011. You can hear a free podcast of the show via itunes.

This weekend you should make it a date to enjoy a collection of gems, which make Providence so unique, by attending The Providence Preservation Society’s “Benefit Street Holiday” event. Ticket holders will be guided through historic homes and shops on Benefit Street, learning about the significant collection of architecture, while enjoy festive decorations, storytelling, and celebrations. And there are activities for everyone in the family.

Preserving our community is the best way we can build a better future. Whether you want to bask in the glory of past renovations, or get involved in proposing new projects, this December is a great time to start.

Since the holiday season is upon us, we thought it might be appropriate to give a quick update on Residential Properties charity endeavors.

A few weeks ago, we blogged about the Woonsocket Adopt-A-Family. The group provides gifts and toys to children of needy families, and two Residential Properties agents―Sandra Soares and Janice Geddes―are actively involved. Their goal is to deliver a message of hope to those youngsters who might not get to have a traditional holiday celebration, and we think this is an admirable aim.

While the organization has matched 1,400 children with donors this year, they are still in need of volunteers to provide for the remaining 472 children. If the group cannot find additional volunteers, this will be the first time in nine years that they have had to turn families away. If you would like to help bring the holidays to those less fortunate, contact Sandy Soares at ssoares@residentialproperties.com

The RPL Providence office is also getting in on the holiday giving. For the past four years, the office has worked with the Salvation Army on Broad Street to bring gifts to children in need. Organized by agent Sandy Conca, the office has delivered almost everything requested in years past, and looks forward to doing the same in 2011. If you would like to contribute to this initiative, contact Sandy Conca at sconca@residentialproperties.com