Volunteering Counts: How You Can Help Over the Holidays

‘Tis the season of giving and The Canadian Way. Great ways for families, friends and corporate teams to participate and share in their communities’ challenges.

How You Can Help Over the Holidays?

Be more generous with your donations to kids, seniors and those less able to manage with the devaluing of the Canadian dollar. Donations can be monetary or get creative with your generosity. Animal shelters can always use food, litter and old blankets and towels. Shelters can use cosmetics and toiletries. Check the website of your favourite cause for a list of their urgent needs.

Earn points and give them away. Air Miles can be donated to the Special Olympics or Kids Help Phone (call 1-888-247-6453 to make a donation). HBC points can be donated to a variety of charities.

Food banks everywhere need help with their annual food drives to fill them to overflowing capacity. Remember to check canned items for expiry dates.

Help stretch your less abled family, friends and neighbours’ fuel economy by sharing in the rides. Improve everyone’s fuel performance and lower your carbon footprint.

Make a difference by giving up gifts. If you have already got everything you need, why not really make a difference by giving up gifts this holiday season and make a donation instead to your favourite charity or community organization more in need of your financial support?

Make a commitment with your friends over the holidays to volunteer together in 2010 at an event of your choosing.

Stockings only. Families and friends can enjoy all of the season with less fanfare. Consider having stockings only and fill them to the top with useable gifts and that can be recycled. Call around to see if a stocking filled with the same would be appreciated by someone in the hospital or in a long term care facility.

Time. Donate your time to help those less fortunate. Check with your friends and neighbours and local to you retirement residences to see who will be alone over the holidays and who would really enjoy a visit.

Volunteer and….. Make new friends, build the community, lend your expertise, share your knowledge, inspire others, share laughter, expand your network, influence decisions, bring your family together, feel fulfilled, earn volunteer hours, stay active.

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