« Weekend Plans - National Family Volunteer Day and Harry Potter | Main | How to Keep the Spirit of Giving Alive in your Family »
10 Ways your Family Can Help During the Holidays
By Polly | November 22, 2005
Serve a meal at a homeless shelter. Kids can set the tables while parents prepare and serve food. Prior to the volunteer day, work together as a family to bake cookies or make table decorations.
Donate toys to your local Toys for Tots campaign. The recent hurricanes have left many families homeless and jobless, so the need for toys is even greater this year. You can find a drop off location by visiting the Toys for Tots website or make an on-line donation here.
Buy something off of a charity’s wish list. Many charities now register a wish list at department stores. Donors can then go on-line and order something off of the charity’s wish list and have it sent directly to the organization’s door.
Shop with a cause by making your holiday gift purchases from organizations who contribute all or most of their revenues to a specific cause. Some organizations you may want to try are www.IGive.com, www.mycause.com , www.schoolpop.com , www.angelcovers.com.
Decorate a nursing home to help make the holidays a little more merry for the elderly.
Take an elderly person shopping.
Invite a single or elderly person to your holiday celebrations. If they are unable to leave their home, then visit them.
Make stockings filled with animal goodies and donate to your local animal shelter.
Donate to a charity in honor or memory of a loved one. Rather than buy your mother another sweater she doesn’t need or want, give the money to a charity instead.
Adopt a needy family by providing them with gifts, food, and clothing. Your local social service organizations or United Way can usually help you find a family in need.
Related Entries:
Help for the Holidays
Help for the Holidays - Avoid Overscheduling
Celebrating Life with Children in October
Holiday Survival Guide, Part I
Help for the Holidays - Starting Early
Topics: Christmas, Community Service Ideas, Family Time |