By: Maya Piechowiak
Figuring out family plans, searching for the perfect gifts, and making sure the house looks like it wasn’t hit by a blizzard can make the holiday season feel crazy. If you’re anything like me, you spend the days leading up to the event frantically cleaning before guests arrive–nothing says holiday spirit like hiding the mess in closets that you hope no one opens! Despite the chaos, the holidays bring some of the best times to reconnect with friends and family, show them you care, and take time to be thankful. However, if you’re not quite ready to face the household cleaning, here are a few fun ways to spend the season giving back to the community.
One of my personal favorite activities is becoming a bell ringer for the Salvation Army. It’s a great way to spread cheer and support a meaningful cause! All donations go toward programs that help with homelessness, food security, Christmas assistance, disaster relief, and rehabilitation. You can become a bell ringer by completing three simple steps:
- Go to RegisterToRing.com and create an account. This is the central portal for signing up across many regions.
- Search for available bell ringing spots near you based on the location in your profile.
- Select your shift: Choose a date, time, and location that fits your schedule. Shifts are typically a few hours.
The Salvation Army relies on the money raised in red kettles to serve more than 25 million people in need each year. By signing up, you can be part of this incredible impact and make someone’s holiday a little brighter.
My sister and I volunteering with the Salvation Army, 2014.
If bell ringing isn’t for you, making quick but thoughtful holiday cards is another easy way to spread some cheer. A simple card can brighten the day of seniors in nursing homes, hospital patients, and deployed military members who may be missing their homes and families this season. You don’t need to be an artist or have fancy supplies; all you need is paper, markers, and holiday cheer! These cards can usually be dropped off at local churches, community events, or through organizations that collect them during the season.
Another way to give back during the holidays is to adopt a family! This can be done
through a local charity or organization. Many organizations match volunteers with
families who could use extra support during the holiday season. Often, the children make wish lists of items they hope to receive, and volunteers can provide gifts, essentials, or even a holiday meal for them based on these lists. This is a great hands-on way to make a difference in someone’s life.
This can be accomplished through different organizations. For example, the Adopt-a-Family Angel Tree program through the Salvation Army. Each year, the Salvation Army receives hundreds of applications for assistance for the Adopt-A-Family program. This is an additional way to impact a family in need during the holiday season.
These are just a few ways you or your family can make a difference this winter! These acts of kindness don’t have to be limited to the holidays–charities like the Salvation Army operate year-round and are always looking for volunteers. Whether it’s ringing a bell, making a card, or adopting a family, consider making an impact and spreading extra joy to your community.