Levi KeswickIt’s the season of giving. Recent events have many people thinking about their communities, who are in need, and how they can get involved and make a difference where they live.
There are many ways to give back to your community. You may even feel overwhelmed by all the options. But giving back has psychological benefits, too.
Donating your time or volunteer services can make you happier as well as more satisfied with your life. So take a deep breath and check out these ideas and see which one is right for you. Let’s dive in!
Write to Your Local Politician to Show Support
A great way to support your local community is to write to your local politician. This is a way to make a direct impact by highlighting local issues and showing your support for policies and regulations that benefit your local community.
If writing to your elected officials proves to be difficult, consider signing online petitions or writing a letter to the editor of your local newspaper so that more people are made aware of the issue. By doing this, you’re providing a unique opportunity to show solidarity, and bring much-needed attention to the cause.
Donate to Local Charities That Need Your Help
This holiday season, it can be a wonderful way to give back to others by donating to an Easy Donation Pickup service. You don’t need to be home for them to gather your contributions. Just simply leave your boxes and bags outside the door.
Additionally, you have to make a list of what type of donations you’d like to make such as:
- Clothing, shoes, and accessories
- Purses, backpacks, and luggage
- Jewelry and beauty products
- Household goods
- Toys and sporting equipment
- Electronics and small appliances
- Books and school supplies
- Handy tools
- Small furniture
You can even get your family and friends involved and donate together to make a difference.
Hosting a Holiday Drive to Collect Gifts & Supplies
Start by collecting donations from those who are close to you. Spread the word about your drive on social media and in your local community to gain more support. Once you’ve gathered the items, find a non-profit organization in your area that’s accepting donations and delivers the goods.
While organizing the drive, make sure to consider safety protocols such as drop-off times and contactless delivery.
Volunteer at a Local Shelter
Another great way to help is to volunteer at a local shelter. Doing so allows you to help those in need, feed those who are hungry, and provide support to those who may not have anywhere else to turn to.
Volunteering your time can be as simple as bringing dinner to the shelter or helping to serve meals. You could also give assistance with cleaning, sorting donations, or helping with special projects.
Whatever you decide to do, remember that your time and efforts are making a difference this season.
Support Local Businesses
Seek out small businesses in your area that need a boost or are directly affected by the pandemic and purchase their items or patronize their services. There are several ways to show support such as:
- Shopping locally
- Buying a home-cooked meal
- Yoga or pilates class
- Leave a nice tip at your local cafe
- Avoid online retailers
Lastly, a great way to give back when you can’t visit in person is to send a care package to those near and dear to you, with items sourced from local companies.
Spread Joy Through Random Acts of Kindness
Whether you are helping out a neighbor by shoveling snow, baking a box of cookies for someone who is lonely, or visiting a nursing home to spread cheer, all of these go a long way in bringing happiness to others.
Taking the time to thank those around you for their hard work, smiling at everyone you pass, and showing appreciation for the small gestures can make someone’s day. So be sure to focus on the true spirit of giving this holiday season and pay it forward.
Helping Elderly Neighbors With Technology-Related Tasks
Another great way to help out during this time is to lend a hand to elderly neighbors with technology-related tasks. This can be anything from:
- Installing a new tablet or laptop
- Setting up streaming services
- Teaching them how certain tech works
Take the time to reach out and offer a helping hand. It may be the only gesture of kindness they experience during the holidays. So, let’s make sure to be there for our elderly neighbors and lend a hand with these tasks.
Provide Companionship to Those Who May Feel Isolated
You can create a simple phone call or video chat to check in with someone in your immediate or extended neighborhood. You can also offer to pick up groceries for them, make a home-cooked meal for a family in need, or provide much-needed resources to a local shelter.
Every action however small can make a big difference in a person’s life this season, providing comfort, hope, and joy.
Raising Money for Local Charities
You can use online fundraising platforms or you can organize a holiday event such as a bake sale or silent auction. Additionally, having a car wash or yard sale is another creative way to raise funds for a cause.
Additionally, you could purchase items from the charity’s wish list or volunteer at their events. Additionally, you can partner up with local businesses and look for sponsorship opportunities.
Other ideas for raising money for charity would be organizing a 5k run or another type of sporting event and donating the proceeds to the institution. Your time, generosity, and thoughtfulness will certainly be appreciated. After all, kindness is the greatest gift.
Giving back to your community this holiday season can be simple and rewarding. Consider giving food or supplies to the local homeless shelter, volunteering at a soup kitchen, making cards to send to elderly residents, or donating to a charitable organization.
Together we can make a difference during this holiday season! So what are you waiting for? Take action now and join in on spreading joy and goodwill!
