Welcome to a weekly segment called "Social Circle." It's OnMilwaukee.com's first article that's truly a group effort between readers, social networkers and the OnMilwaukee.com editors. Every Monday, we ask a question via Facebook and Twitter and then post the responses from our Facebook "likers" and Twitter followers in the Thursday column. Well-known Milwaukee movers and shakers will contribute, too.

It's the season of giving, and some extend the generosity beyond friends and families to organizations that help others. There are so many great groups in Milwaukee and beyond that need help throughout the entire year, but are, of course, appreciative of holiday-time support, as well.

This week, The Social Circle weighs in with where they will donate, or would donate if they could, this holiday season. Chime in with your favorite organizations / charities via the Talkback feature.

Happy holidays, Milwaukee.

Stephanie Bartz: "A.W.E. (Artists Working In Education)."

Jill Brown: "Changing Lives Through Literature is a great program."

George Darrow: "Greenpeace / ACLU / Growing Power."

Erica Davis: "First Stage!"

Dane Heyer Dowland: "Hope House. We feed over 1,200 families a month, we have a free/sliding scale health clinic, you can get your GED there, etc."

Liz Dupree-Schaefer: "A few charities I like are Ronald McDonald House and Milwaukee Center for Independence."

John Ecker: "I always liked the Nature Conservatory when I could afford to donate."

Kay Erickson Ehlers: "Victory Garden Initiative."

Russ Fascia: "COA (Children's Outing Association)."

Kevin Frank: "Friends of MADACC for animal lovers. They directly impact Milwaukee's homeless animals and you can see direct results from your donation."

Marty Garins: "Milwaukee Zoological Society."

Jeremy Hanson: "Milwaukee LGBT Community Center."

Catherine Koons Hubbard: "I've bought goats through Heifer International for many years. The goat goes to a family to start a business and to provide milk; Heifer sends me gorgeous cards to give out to friends and family in lieu of a gift."

Beth Jaworski: "These are all great charities. I would also add the Milwaukee Rescue Mission. Going to be a long, cold winter for a lot of homeless."

Alex Lichtenstein: "YMCA."

Traci Mead: "The Milwaukee Community Sailing Center is a non-profit organization that provides sailing instruction for at-risk youth, as well as unique sailing experiences on Lake Michigan for developmentally and physically disabled persons."

Patti O'Dell-Dooley: "Always nice to stay local and close to your heart. We usually donate to Children's Hospital of Wisconsin or Children's Miracle Network or Make-A-Wish Foundation. Our family has been touched by these in some way."

Amy O'Neill: "My friend Megan O'Brien at the American Cancer Society created an amazing charity called Chemo For Christmas which provides chemotherapy for children in developing countries"

Deedee Rongstad: "Legal Action of Wisconsin."

Jenny Wolfe Rushizky: "Pathfinders."

Michele Renee Schaefer: "The Humane Society."

Renee Scherck-Meyer: "I think it is most important to identify what passion the gift receiver has. Community Shares of Greater Milwaukee is an umbrella organization that supports local nonprofits dedicated to social justice, environmental justice and animal welfare."

Jake Schneider: "The Pablove Foundation does great work."

Laura Hoffmann Stratte: "The Wisconsin Breast Cancer Coalition. They work on the policy side of the issue and help make sure progressive research gets funded, and research is the only way to a cure."

Nikolas Tries: "Kiva.org. You give micro-loans to those in developing couunties that they repay so you can re-lend it."

Velia Tarnoff: "Hunger Task Force of Milwaukee."

Kendall Yahr: "Animal Rescue Center."