December 03, 2020
We might associate this holiday season with giving and receiving gifts, but sometimes the most valuable thing you can give is your time. Especially around this time of year, holiday volunteering is a chance to give back to those in need. We encourage you to do your own research and find local places for holiday volunteer opportunities, but a few national holiday volunteer ideas are shared below!
The Salvation Army is known for their red kettles outside of stores and on street corners, but because of COVID-19, they have had to decrease these kettles by 50%. Because of this, please follow the bolded title to consider giving online this year. The Salvation Army seeks to provide Christmas presents and meet the needs of families that are in need in your own community through grocery assistance, homeless shelters, bill-pay assistance and more.
Operation Christmas Child is only possible because of people willing to participate in holiday volunteer opportunities. The goal for Operation Christmas Child is to pack a shoebox of toys and gifts that are sent to children around the world. To make it easier than ever, you can now pack a shoebox online, find a volunteer process center to make sure the boxes get sent out, or even donate to continue the ability for all children to experience Christmas joy because of your holiday volunteering.
The Red Cross is a great way to volunteer during the holidays by thanking and recognizing members of the military and their families through the Holidays for Heroes Program. You can also go to their website and look for local holiday volunteer opportunities. They have an increased need for holiday volunteers because of the COVID-19 crisis.
Local Food Kitchens
Local Food Kitchens provide a great way to volunteer during the holidays. Food Banks are essential for families to have access to nutritional food for their families. Please consider Googling “Holiday volunteering near me” or “Holiday volunteer opportunities near me” to find local food kitchens and other holiday volunteer opportunities.
Giving is better than receiving, especially when it means helping those in need around the holidays. Look for holiday volunteering opportunities this season for you and your family. Even consider looking for ways and places to volunteer after the holidays and continue to give back to those in need in your community!