10 Ways to Give Back to Your Community During the Holidays

The holiday season is a wonderful time to enjoy family, friends, and festivities. It is also the perfect time to give back to your community! The holidays are often especially difficult for individuals and families going through hard times, and there’s no better way to celebrate the spirit of the holidays than spreading some joy and cheer. Whether through gifts of time or resources, even small actions can make a big difference, so consider these 10 ways to give back to your community during the holidays.

10 Ways to Give Back to Your Community During the Holidays

The holidays are all about sharing and caring for those around you, and what better way to do that than to give back to the community that serves you throughout the year? Every area has its own unique opportunities, but here are 10 general ways to give back to your community during the holidays, as well as specific organizations for the Houston area.

1. Help meet families’ needs

Many families face particular hardship during the holiday season and need some extra support. “Adopt” a child or family for the holidays, donate food and clothing to a social assistance program, or reach out to churches and charitable organizations in your area to see how you can help the families in your community.

For those in the Houston area, Texas Diaper Bank, Houston Children’s Charity, and Pay Away the Layaway are all wonderful ways to help families in need.

2. Give kids the joy of Christmas

Every child deserves a gift for the holidays, and organizations nationwide are striving to make that possible. Look for a Toys for Tots or Angel Tree in your area to provide gifts to kids whose families may not be able to do so this year. Remember the many kids in the foster care system, as well, through organizations such as One Simple Wish or BEARing Gifts (Houston area).

3. Help build homes

What better gift could there be than a home for the holidays? Grab your tool belt and offer your skills to a local Habitat for Humanity. If construction’s not your thing, there are plenty of other ways to offer support, such as by donating supplies or financial support.

4. Brighten the season for nursing home residents

Holidays can be a lonely time for those living in nursing homes, especially these days with distancing and restrictions. Covid has made in-person visits more difficult, but there are still plenty of ways to reach out from a distance. Cards and letters, video calls, and special gifts are all great ways to safely spread joy this holiday season.

5. Support military families

This time of year is especially hard for many military families. Organizations such as Operation Christmas Spirit or Trees for Troops allow you to provide Christmas gifts, trees, and basic necessities to military families in need. You could also give back to veterans through organizations such as the VA Voluntary Service.

6. Feed the hungry

Make a new holiday tradition of volunteering at your local food bank. Feeding America has locations across the country, and those in the Houston area can contact Houston Food Bank. If you can’t donate your time, you could always make financial donations to organizations that provide food and nourishment to families in your community.

7. Care for the homeless

People in every city across the country will find themselves without a home this holiday season. Care for those experiencing homelessness by donating food and basic necessities, such as blankets, clothing, shoes, toiletries, and personal hygiene items. You can also provide financial assistance to local shelters and assistance organizations.

If you are in the Houston area, contact Star of Hope, SEARCH, or the Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris County for ways to help.

8. Run for a cause

Do you enjoy a good run? Combine exercise with a great cause by running in a holiday race. See if there are any in your area to give back to your community. If you’re in the Houston area, check out this Houston run guide to see all the upcoming holiday races.

9. Spread joy to hospitalized kids

Spending the holidays in a hospital is never easy for kids or their parents, but your gifts could provide some joy and comfort. Volunteer at a children’s hospital, donate gifts and toys, help provide financial and material needs, support families at a nearby Ronald McDonald House, or see if your nearest children’s hospital has an Amazon wishlist (many of them do!).?

10. Care for our furry friends

People aren’t the only ones who need special care during the holidays - our furry friends do, too! Adopt a pet or volunteer/donate to a local animal shelter to spread love to animals in need this holiday season. If you are in the Houston area, reach out to the Houston Humane Society for ways to help.

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For many of us, the holiday season is full of festivities and frenzied preparations. Let’s take time to remember, however, that this is a time of sharing, caring, and spreading joy to all. May this list inspire and equip you to give back to your community during the holidays.