Ways to Volunteer your Time at Christmas
From 3arf
Christmas time should not be just about the gifts and glittery decorations, it should be about care and compassion for others. If you agree, then you have probably thought about what you can do to help spread a little joy in your community. One great way to do this is by volunteering. There are many ways you canvolunteer, some examples include:
- In the neighborhood. A good place to volunteer is right in your own backyard, so to speak. Ask your neighbors if they need help shoveling snow or carrying in groceries or running errands. If you have elderly neighbors, this kind of assistance can be invaluable to them. Helping out your neighbors is a friendly and well, neighborly thing to do. You can even host a neighborhood Christmas party and ask that everyone bring something. These people should not be complete strangers, you are all neighbors and should try to get to know each other a little bit.
- Community centers. Many cities have community programs designed to help out the less fortunate. Christmas is one time of year that they can really use the extra volunteers. Christmas time can be a double edged sword for those without homes, jobs or even family. The weather is cold and blustery plus it is the holiday season and for people down on their luck, this can spell out disaster in the form of illness, depression and even starvation. Showing some goodwill and compassion during this time of year can help someone more than you will ever know. Most community centers are overrun during the Christmas season because if nothing else, people just want to be inside where they can be warm and safe.
- Church. Check with your church to see what events they have going on throughout the Christmas season. Many churches host dinners and Christmas programs such as plays or charity events. Even if you are not affiliated with a particular church, it is still very emotionally rewarding to offer to help with events they host. Churches do so much for their communities on very limited funds, they often can use every volunteer they can get.
- Toy/food drives. Chances are very good that if you start asking various businesses and organizations in your area, you will find places putting on toy/food/clothing drives to aid the less fortunate. It can be a very good feeling to donate, collect and even deliver these precious items to people that really need and deserve them. There is just no better feeling in the world than to see genuine joy on the face of a child. Many good people fall on hard times during the winter months and these drives can make survival just a little bit easier for them.
- Hospital. Visiting a hospital during the Christmas season is one of the best gifts you can give to a sick person. Many people who are in the hospital over Christmas are extremely ill and will not have the luxury of being home with their family and friends. Things you can do to help ease this time of year for them include, but are not limited to: singing, reading stories, playing games, bringing small gifts and of course talking with the patients. Show them you care by sitting and talking to them and really listening to what they have to say. You might be surprised and touched by their courage and conviction.
- Retirement home. Christmas time can be depressing for the elderly residents in retirement homes. Volunteer some quality time visiting with these wonderful people. They have a wealth of knowledge and and a lifetime of experiences to share with you. Bring them some well-deserved Christmas joy by organizing caroling groups, taking holiday treats and hosting a Christmas party, playing Santa and bringing gifts or sitting and talking with them.
Volunteering should be a selfless act and not done in order to impress anyone or to make yourself look good. The knowledge that you are helping someone should be its own reward and gratification. Christmas time should be a joyous season and by volunteering, you can help make that happen for people in your area.
