Giving Back in 2020... from "Virtually" Anywhere

2020 has stopped a  lot of us in our tracks, but the ability to Give Back shouldn’t bring us to a standstill. Although the playing field has changed, there are still lots of opportunities to volunteer, donate and spend the time for causes that are near to your heart. 

Last weekend my family and I volunteered to support the Thanksgiving Basket Drive through  The Goodman Center, a local community center here in Wisconsin. The goal is to feed 4,000 local families this Thanksgiving - which is over 22,000 local residents. This year Giving Back is more important than ever, and with contactless or virtual events, there is something out there for everyone to contribute to. 

Here are some additional ideas to virtually or contact-lessly give back this Holiday Season: 

Get moving!

National or local Virtual 5K’s and Turkey Trots are a great way to get the family outdoors and moving. Most sponsor local or national charities and it is a great way to choose your own course and challenge yourself while giving back. One example is the Nationwide Run which sponsors Feeding America. Perhaps this holiday gear up for the cold, and work up an appetite as a family, friends or even colleagues - whether they are near or far - and “run” together.  https://nationwiderun.org/

Volunteer….virtually anywhere! 

Former President George H.W. Bush founded this organization as an avenue for others to Give Back -  which now Points of Light has an online platform for virtual volunteering for small, or large tasks across the nation. The Points of Flight website states it beautifully “The solution to each problem that confronts us begins with an individual who says, "I can help."https://www.pointsoflight.org/virtual-volunteering-opportunities/

Time to clean house! 

Yes, decluttering your house is a great way to Give Back or Pay-it-Forward. Perhaps there is a new mother in your friend group who would love those old baby toys and books? Or think about donating clothes and furniture to the Goodwill, or even to your neighborhood ‘Buy Nothing Group’ on Facebook. 

Buy Nothing is a “hyper-local gift economy “ - members join 1 local group, via Facebook, and are able to gift (and receive) items, gestures or time at no cost. There is no exchange of goods or money - just exchange of heart. I’ve gifted things like tennis rackets, cleaning supplies, clothing to neighbors I’ve never met. And over the years I have received day-to-day items like special batteries or light bulbs to more unique items like brand new beach chairs and even a set of women’s golf clubs. 

https://www.goodwill.org/

https://buynothingproject.org/

Local Food Banks 

Your local Food Bank provides thousands of meals to area shelters, all of which is donation based. Most local Food Banks have contactless drop offs, and whether you manage a local restaurant or your own kitchen - we all have a can of something that is unexpired and most likely won’t be used. Keep in mind they usually take canned dog and cat food too for our furry friends! https://www.feedingamerica.org/find-your-local-foodbank

Regardless of your Give Back cause, it’s time this year to get creative on solutions for how to participate while being thankful for what we do have. Small gestures go a long way, and not just this time of year. Special thanks to the Goodman Center for allowing us to participate in your Drive through Thanksgiving Drive. This year TEEMA team members are participating in all kinds of #TEEMAGIVES events nationwide.