(CNN) The year 2017 will go down in the history books for its bumper crop of natural disasters , famine and political turmoil.

It might seem like there's not much you can do to help -- but that's not the case. Every day, men and women around the world volunteer their time to make a difference in the world and every year CNN honors them through its CNN Heroes initiative.

This past year's top 10 CNN Heroes included people who made a difference for victims of wars, natural disasters, and those with physical and developmental challenges.

And now, you can help, too.

Scroll down to read more about their initiatives and click on the "donate" buttons to support each cause. If you're looking for a gift with symbolism this holiday season, consider a cash donation in the name of someone you love. (And if you make a donation before January 7, 2018 via the "donate" buttons below or by going to crowdrise.com/cnnheroes , it will be matched up to $50,000 per CNN Hero.)

1. Feeding natural disaster survivors

JUST WATCHED Operation BBQ Relief Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH Operation BBQ Relief 02:48

Since 2011, Operation BBQ Relief has prepared almost 1.7 million meals for disaster survivors and first responders -- including during recent hurricanes in Texas and Florida.

"Seeing the people working and knowing the impact the meals are making -- it can't help but bring a smile to your face, maybe a tear to your eye," says Stan Hays , a grand champion pitmaster who runs the nonprofit.

2. Helping with hygiene in Cambodia

Samir Lakhani was a student volunteer in Cambodia when he saw a mother bathing her newborn with laundry soap and realized the bar soap in his own hotel room could make a huge difference.

Lakhani established the Eco-Soap Bank , which now has four soap recycling centers across Cambodia, providing jobs to 35 local women.

"I did not expect to be so effective by such an early age," Lakhani said. "If you have one part drive and maybe one part naivety or foolishness, you can do anything."

3. Giving Chicago's kids a safe place

Having grown up in Chicago's South Side, police officer Jennifer Maddox still sees a neighborhood rife with challenges.

Maddox's after-school program Future Ties provides a free, safe space for more than 100 children in grades K-5 to learn, grow and succeed.

"We can't arrest our way out of this. Law enforcement needs the people in the community to work with us to solve some of the grassroots issues that are causing the violence."

4. Caring for South Africa's AIDS orphans

Former school teacher Rosie Mashale ran a free daycare from her Cape Town, South Africa, home for 10 years.

But when she was almost ready to retire, Mashale found an orphan on her doorstep and discovered a new calling: to provide care for more than 5,000 orphaned, abandoned or sick children, many of whom have lost parents to AIDS. Her organization, Baphumelele , translates to "we have progressed."

"Some of them tell me that they want to be social workers; they want to do the work that I'm doing," Mashale said. "Everybody has got a dream, and my wish is for their dream to be fulfilled."

5. Beach therapy for veterans with PTSD

Andrew Manzi sought professional help to cope with PTSD and a traumatic brain injury he suffered as a Marine serving two tours in the Iraq War. But it was surfing that helped heal his soul.

Manzi's nonprofit, Warrior Surf, provides free six-week surf camps for veterans and their families, complete with therapy sessions on the beach.

"You feel safe out there when you know you got a bunch of brothers floating around you," Manzi said. "We're just taking a natural approach to healing."

6. Connecting sick kids with their family, friends

Leslie Morissette 's son, Graham, was 6 years old when he was diagnosed with leukemia and 8 when he died.

Morissette channeled her grief into the nonprofit Grahamtastic Connection , which provides free computers, iPads and even robots to children battling serious illnesses so they can stay connected to friends, family and their classrooms.

"I find that most seriously ill children just want to be normal kids," Morissette said. "They want to be in school and they want to be with their classmates. So, we're providing the tools that enable that."

7. Helping those who have lost a limb

JUST WATCHED San Antonio Amputee Foundation Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH San Antonio Amputee Foundation 02:57

Mona Patel was a 17-year-old college student walking to class when a drunken driver crashed into her, smashing her leg and requiring several surgeries and amputations.

Patel created the San Antonio Amputee Foundation , which offers peer support, education and recreation, as well as financial assistance for prosthetic limbs.

"When somebody becomes an amputee, maneuvering through the system is sometimes just scary," said Patel. "I think the big catalyst of me doing what I do to help the amputee community is because I lived it."

8. Boxing and tutoring for Detroit's kids

JUST WATCHED Downtown Boxing Gym Youth Program Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH Downtown Boxing Gym Youth Program 02:31

Five days a week, around 100 children hit the Detroit gym for training and academic tutoring. More than 260 students have completed the program. All of them, Sweeney says, have graduated high school, and 98% have gone on to college.

"I don't see bad kids. I see a kid who hasn't been heard yet. So, let's find out what's really going on," Sweeney said. "I see the true potential in the kids. "

9. Teaching at-risk kids to restore classic cars

JUST WATCHED Lost Angels Children's Project Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH Lost Angels Children's Project 02:49

Facing drugs, jail and homelessness as a teen taught Aaron Valencia that youth need positive examples and projects to occupy their time.

Valencia's nonprofit, Lost Angels Children's Project , is an after-school program that focuses on classic car restoration. Low-income, foster and at-risk youth work on a car that is raffled off to support the program.

"It's a lot more than just teaching kids how to be mechanics," Valencia said. "We are trying to get them to open their eyes to see a different way."

10. Employing men and women with disabilities

JUST WATCHED Bitty and Beau's Coffee Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH Bitty and Beau's Coffee 02:33

When Amy Wright and her husband found out that 70% of adults with intellectual and physical disabilities do not have jobs, they were inspired to change that. After all, two of the pair's four children live with Down syndrome.

Bitty and Beau's Coffee , Wright's popular North Carolina coffee shop, is named after their kids and employs 40 people with disabilities.

"Creating this has given people a way to interact with people with disabilities that (they) never had before," she said. "This is a safe place where people can test the waters and realize how much more alike we are than different."

For her work Wright was selected as the 2017 CNN Hero of the Year by online voters who chose Wright from among the top 10 CNN Heroes finalists. Wright received $100,000 to grow her cause. All of the 2017 top 10 CNN Heroes received a $10,000 cash award.

Donate to any 2017 top 10 CNN Hero by clicking the button below.