HOLIDAYS TRADITIONS | GIVING BACK
donate
your time
Gifts and financial donations are certainly welcome this time of year by your local
community organizations and charitable non-profits, but nothing may be more valuable
than your time. Volunteering is a great Christmas tradition for families to start. Doing so
helps set strong examples for young people, teaching them lessons in humanity, good
will, compassion and selflessness.
Do you have a few extra hours per month you could give to a local nonprofit
organization? If so, start this holiday season by donating your time to the cause. Choose
a charity or nonprofit you are passionate about and reach out to see how you can help.
Local soup kitchens may need you to round up canned goods and nonperishable food
items from your family members and community. Senior citizen centers may request that
you simply come spend some quality time with their residents. Foster homes and child
advocacy centers may be in need of the same, as well as Christmas presents for the little
ones.
The contribution of your time and energy could help make this a highly enjoyable
Christmas for those in need, as well as for those running these organizations. Volunteers
are always needed, so make the call today.
You are needed
Only about 25 percent of Americans volunteer for an organization, according to the
Bureau of Labor Statistics. You can help improve that number by joining a group and con-
vincing others to do the same. Grassroots volunteering efforts are the backbone of the
country, especially as many human services budgets shrink from state to state.
Your time is more vital than ever to making sure these organizations have the appro-
priate resources to make a difference in the community. Think of your local military
organizations, children’s hospitals, nursing homes and large-scale holiday event com-
mittees. They all need your creative spirit and hands-on approach to make this Christmas
a happy one for their target populations.
So seek out one of the organizations in your neck of the woods and get started on
impacting your community in a positive way. Once you start this tradition, you’ll never
go back.
volunteering
We all know it’s better to give than to receive, and that saying
doesn’t always have to pertain to presents. Your time can be a valu-
able commodity for community-based organizations this holiday
season
Children’s hospitals
Many children will be confined to hospital beds this Christmas
season as they battle through sickness, treatments and pain. This
can also be emotionally draining for children, especially those who
have experienced the joy of Christmas morning at home.
This is where you can help. Children’s hospitals are great at
creating special events for their patients around the holidays, es-
pecially Christmas. They will likely conduct holiday dances, meals
and even trips from Santa Claus.
Contact your local hospital's customer service department to
find out their needs and how you can meet them.
Soup kitchens
Many organizations work hard every year to make sure the
homeless and underprivileged receive a nice, hot meal for Christ-
mas. You can help by volunteering your time to cook, serve food
and clean up.
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Groups also offer food services for the homebound, requiring
volunteers to deliver meals across town. It is easy to get on a de-
livery schedule by simply contacting these organizations and of-
fering your time.
Nursing homes
The elderly who are no longer fit to stay in their homes because
of health concerns or rehabilitation processes is a group that can
use holiday spirit this Christmas. And many nursing homes coor-
dinate numerous events and trips based around the special season.
Nursing homes may also need help with donations, meal serv-
ing or other activities, so check in about a month before Christ-
mas to see how you can help.