Many local food banks and pantries make a special effort at outreach during the holiday season. The staff often needs help processing extra donations, packing food baskets or bags, and sometimes making deliveries. Consider earning money to donate to these organizations to help them purchase perishable groceries for holiday meals, as well.
Schools, local businesses, or churches may sponsor drives to collect winter outerwear for families. Items requested range from mittens, gloves, and hats on up to boots, snow pants, and winter coats. These gifts will keep on giving as they are used throughout the winter season.
Sometimes families find they can give to others from their own abundance. Nearly every child has toys, games or clothing that sit ignored in closets, drawers, or toy boxes. Those that are in new or good condition can be donated to a shelter or resale shop in time to become a gift for someone else. Not only will the charity benefit, but your family will eliminate some clutter for a good cause.
Hand-made Christmas cards created by children can brighten the lives of nursing home residents, too. You can use old cards to cut up pictures and glue them together in new ways. If your group can travel, consider taking them to a nursing home or hospital to sing Christmas songs to residents while they pass out cards and drawings. Take a few minutes to stop and play a simple game, such as Bingo or Go Fish, if you have time. Or have the kids put together a simple holiday show: reading poems, acting out stories, and so forth. The Activities Director can help you plan a time to present your group's efforts. Even if you can't get away from your site, you can make phone calls or send letters and pictures to residents. The staff can provide you with names and addresses for persons with few visitors who might appreciate the attention of children.
Children are often amazed to discover that their community is home to children who receive little or nothing for Christmas. Can you arrange to sponsor a child or a family for the holiday? Churches, schools, food banks, the Salvation Army, or government agencies that work with the disadvantaged may have programs to match donors with needy families. Sponsoring a person or a family is far more meaningful if you are able to shop rather than simply give money. Some programs provide you with a wish list, clothing sizes, and other information to help you personalize your purchases. Other thoughtful gifts include wrapping supplies, decorations, special foods, prepaid phone or store gift cards, restaurant, movie or other entertainment gift certificates, cleaning or personal hygiene supplies, or disposable cameras and money to get the film developed.
No matter what you choose to do, sharing the holiday spirit with those less fortunate will leave a warm spot in your heart, and help your children come a bit closer to the true meaning of the season. Why not start planning today to reach out and touch someone with holiday joy? You'll be glad that you did!
