Giving Back at the Holidays
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Now that December is upon us, many people are starting to get into the holiday spirit. For some, that means thinking about what they are thankful for during the year and wanting to pay it forward in the season of giving.
Over the past year, my girls have volunteered in a few ways. Both have visited the Ottawa Food back and learned that not everyone in Ottawa has enough to eat each and every day. They've visited residents in nursing homes to play games and sing with them and have shared their allowance with the typhoon victims in the Philippines.
Giving back doesn't need to be big. It just needs to be meaningful. For kids, learning that there are people who need a helping hand is a great lesson in empathy and kindness. There are so many ways to get your kids involved. Here are a few ideas for you and you kids:
- Donate to a charitable organization
- Invite an elderly neighbor or someone who lives alone to join your celebration
- Deliver a meal to a family in need
- Write a thoughtful note to someone special
- Donate clothes you've outgrown
- Donate food to a local charity or food bank
- Volunteer at a soup kitchen
- Send a care package to a soldier
- Visit hospital patients
- Foster a dog or cat
- Adopt an endangered animal through a zoo
- Shovel snow for a neighbor
- Help pick up trash at a local park
- Join a church or school group that does community service projects
Giving back is a great thing to do all year round, but the holidays tend to bring out the charitable side in most people. Try some of these ideas with your family and make a difference this holiday season.
How does your family give back at the Holidays?
