This year has been a trying one. Many of us have endured innumerable hardships, and now what is typically a joyous holiday season filled with family and friends will likely be spent keeping one another safe by staying distant.
There’s no way to sugarcoat it. The holidays will be different this year. But science tells us that giving back makes us happier. And with so many people in need this year, there’s no better time to get involved with a charitable cause.
We’ve curated a list of ideas that can help provide much needed support to your community. Many of these efforts can be done completely remotely, while others will require extra care and attention to stay safe and socially distanced. Understand what you’re comfortable with explore the options that make the most sense for you and your circumstances.
- Host a canned food collection
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- in support of your local food pantry or family services organization.
- Prepare or serve meals at a food pantry or soup kitchen, many of which are struggling to meet the surge in demand since the onset of the pandemic.
- Host a letter writing party to send messages of good will to essential workers, the elderly, and our troops!
- Sponsor or adopt a family for an upcoming holiday. Find a local organization working to secure holiday gifts and meals for families in need.
- Host a virtual donation drive in support of a local nonprofit. Set a monetary goal and invite family and friends to make contributions and share across social media.
- Donate gifts to children in need through a local toy drive. This month, Kiddie Academy locations from across the system are participating in toy drives benefitting Toys for Tots and other local organizations! Reach out to your local Academy to see if they are accepting toy donations.
- Go through your belongings and donate clothing and household items
- that are gently used and/or in good working order to organizations like Goodwill.
- Share your skills or knowledge with a nonprofit and make a difference lending your expertise. Anything from resume writing to computer skills or legal advice can help make a positive impact to a nonprofit with limited resources.
- Help animals by donating used blankets and towels to a local animal shelter, baking homemade doggie treats, or volunteering your time to help clean facilities.
- Help with food insecurity in your community by volunteering at a food distribution organization or by delivering meals to the elderly through nonprofits like Meals on Wheels. You can also help keep important food security programs in place by writing letters or calling your lawmakers encouraging them to pass policies that prioritize access to healthy foods for families.
- Participate in random acts of kindness or show your gratitude by doing good deeds around your community. For example, you could buy breakfast for a nursing unit at your local hospital or drop off coffee and treats for your volunteer fire department.
- Participate in a virtual performance for a nursing home or senior living community. Reach out to the activities coordinator at a nearby senior center and see how you can use your talents to entertain community members.
- Maximize your purchasing power by supporting brands and businesses that give back to charitable causes. Companies like Toms, Patagonia, and AmazonSmile, to name just a few, all give back with each purchase.
- Donate blood or join the national bone marrow registry to help make a life changing impact for a person in need. Our Kiddie Academy corporate office and Academy recently helped facilitate a drive that resulted in over 75 new registrations to the national bone marrow registry.
Most importantly, don’t forget to give you and your community members the gift of wellness this holiday season.
- Wash your hands often and thoroughly for at least 20 seconds with soap and water.
- Wear a face mask over your mouth and nose to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other illnesses such as colds and the flu.
- Eat healthy, immune-boosting foods.
- Get plenty of sleep.
- Stay active to help manage stress, boost the immune system, and reduce inflammation in the body.
- Focus on your mental health by making time to destress.
Happy holidays from all of us here at Kiddie Academy!
