gift givingChristmas is just around the corner, you know what that means! The season is full of excitement, lights, carolers, and non-stop togetherness. But there are some people who are less fortunate with no families, no homes, and definitely no presents. This holiday season participate in the season of giving. You can help out and spread some holiday joy by giving back to your community. No matter how big or small, good things follow those who have a joyous and giving spirit. So why not spread the happiness today? Here is a list of things you can do this Christmas season to give back.

1. Donate to a charity. You can either write a check or simply go shopping for a needy child. Either way you can put your money to a good cause. There are many areas where you can call and ask for a list of gifts to buy such as gloves or mittens. Another option is looking for the big green Christmas tree. All over the metro areas there are trees covered in letters from less fortunate families. Give them a Christmas to remember and donate a gift to a family in need this year.

2. Volunteer at a soup kitchen. Many homeless people are fighting for survival with not enough food or shelter to keep warm. Contact your local church or community center and serve dinner to the needy this season. There is nothing more rewarding than giving to those less fortunate.

3. Participate in random acts of kindness. This can include anything from giving a dollar or two to somebody without a home or donating a pie to your favorite homeless shelter. You can turn everyday occurrences into tiny acts of giving. All you have to do is give a little piece of yourself to somebody. If that be through song, through presents, through words, whatever it takes. You don’t have to be rich or well-off; you just need to have a heart.

4. Make some clothes for the homeless. If you are good at crafts and sewing Christmas is the best time to do so. Make some gloves or hats for those in need. It’s chilly out there and a lot of people need them. If you don’t happen to saw you can always donate your old winter clothes to a shelter. In this white, snowy Christmas we all need a little shelter from the storm.

All it takes is a little bit of time and caring on your part. Donate a portable easel to a young artist in foster care, give money to your favorite charity, or cook for the hungry. Christmas time is the season for giving so dig deep into your heart and give a little hope to someone in need. Good things come to those who do good deeds.

Many of us have a generous heart during the holidays, but don’t stop there.  Why not help all year long?  Your group or organization can adopt a family in transitional housing for a year. By adopting a family, you help provide for their opportunity to become self-sufficient and live independent lives.  Adopting a family would include car repair, back to school supplies, birthday presents and many other opportunities.

If you are a member of a Rotary Club, women’s group, church group or any other organization that is looking for an opportunity to help your community, please give the Women’s Center a call at:  321.242.3110.

“Together we can change lives for the better forever.”