Serving in the local community is often more popular during the holiday season. But at times it can be difficult to determine the best way to get involved. As you ponder how to give back this Christmas, here are a few options to consider.
The Salvation Army operates year-around and offers a number of programs to help recovering and poor people in the community. The charity offers numerous ways to volunteer, and it also accepts donations of money, vehicles, clothing, furniture and other household items.
According to the organization’s website, “The Salvation Army endeavors to bring spiritual light and love to those it serves at Christmas so that the real meaning of the season is not forgotten.”
It does this through special projects like the Red Kettle program.
The Red Kettle program began in 1891, and now in the U.S., the organization helps more than 4.5 million people during the holiday season. The initiative allows people to drop spare change into a red kettle at grocery stores, malls and other locations.
Those who want to be involved with the Salvation Army’s kettle program can donate at any kettle location or can start an online kettle by registering and inviting friends to donate. (You can also donate to the kettle that I’ve already created.)
For more details about how to get involved with this organization, visit http://www.salvationarmyusa.org.
Another way you can serve others during the holiday season is to visit an Angel Tree. These Christmas trees, located in grocery stores, shopping centers, etc., have the names underprivileged child or the child of a prison inmate hanging on them, and you can choose a child to shop for and buy him/her a few gifts.
There are many different types of Angel Trees, but they all are there to help spread the joy of the holiday.
To participate, locate a tree and select a child’s information and then purchase appropriate gifts. Then return the gifts to the tree or another location, if specified.
If you prefer to get involved on your own, here are a few more ideas:
- Donate to a world aid organization, like Compassion International.
- Donate clothing to the Nashville Rescue Mission or other shelters.
- Purchase food and give it to someone who is homeless.
- Visit elderly people in a nursing home.
Numerous other ways to volunteer in the Nashville community are listed at http://www.volunteermatch.org. Many organizations list their service opportunities on this website.
Hands on Nashville also has multiple activities every day listed at http://www.hon.org.
Of course, there are also many opportunities for you to get involved in your hometowns once you are gone on break.