Local Flavor

I believe it’s true that most people want to give back during the holidays, but many of us just don’t know where to start.  Life get’s in the way and before you know it, January is here and we’re gearing up for another year.  I challenge you to take a quick glance through these opportunities and find something that works with your lifestyle.  There’s something for everyone.  Giving back warms the heart, helps people in need, and it sets a great example for our friends, family and children.

Offer Your Services. We’re all talented at something, right?.  Non-profit organizations always struggle with finding funds for services like graphic design, web design, and content editing.  Maybe you wouldn’t mind shoveling snow or manning the desk on a Saturday afternoon.  Consider what you’re good at, and offer your services pro bono to a cause you believe in.

Use Social Networks like Twitter and Facebook to get the word out. Local charities (especially in smaller towns and/or with smaller budgets) will have more difficulty reaching a larger audience.  Follow them and relay their message to your online community.  Your friends and followers value what you have to say, and that may be enough to encourage them into action.

Have Fun With It. The holidays are a great time to come together with friends, family, locals and now Twitters too.  Consider putting together a party or a bar crawl and charge a fee (donation) for anyone who wants to come along.  Call a few bars, and let them know what you’re doing.  They will most likely provide your party with happy hour type specials.  These parties can be a lot of fun, and the donations can be sent to the charity of your choice.  Everyone wins… you, your local businesses, your friends/family and the charity.  What could be better than that?

Charity Holiday Cards. Find something that you already need to purchase, and buy it instead from a charity.  Holiday cards are a great example of this.  Did you know that hundreds of organizations are selling holiday cards online right now? You can take your pick and, in most cases, your payment is a contribution to their organization.  Cards That Give is a great resource for finding the perfect charity card for you.  Even celebrities have charity holiday cards available at Tiny Prints.  Remember, these cards are great for business purposes too!

Create Your Own Opportunity. Many communities have holiday parades.  Maybe you’re more into baking than bar crawling.  If that’s the case, put together a bake sale table at the holiday parade.  Let the organization of your choice know what you’re planning and their volunteers/members may provide some additional goods for you to sell.  Let your friends and family know.  This is a chance for them to give back too!  Tip: Hot cider or cocoa is always a favorite in my local Michigan community during the wintery parades.  It gets pretty cold out there.

Donate. At the core, the holiday season is about giving.  So many of us are in need of basic necessities like food and warmth.  Get creative.  Maybe you have some extra coats in your closet that just aren’t being used anymore.  There’s most likely a Goodwill or Salvation Army that would love to take those off your hands.  Remember, tax season is near, and you can always write off donations.  During the holiday season, there are usually clothing and food drives on the weekends at convenient locations like courthouses or supermarket parking lots where you can go to drop off your donations.

Gifts Aren’t Only For Receiving. I think it’s a great lesson to have a child either shop for or give up a holiday gift for a child in need.  I can remember doing this when I was younger, and it really instills the value of giving back from the very beginning.

Volunteer. If you aren’t comfortable with giving money, try to find some extra time in your schedule to spend instead. During the holidays, there are always organizations who could use your help with everything from collecting coats and food donations to serving meals to those who aren’t as fortunate.  Many would argue that volunteering is the most rewarding of everything I’ve mentioned. You can really see how small efforts can change lives.

NEXT STEPS:

1. Run a Google Search to locate organizations/charities in your local community.  Churches and local governmental offices may also have some information for you.
2. Find something that you believe in to donate to.  Whether it’s homeless people, kids who don’t have Christmas gifts or neighbors who recently lost their jobs with the nationwide economic struggle, whatever tugs at your heart strings is the right organization for you to donate to.
3. Email or retweet this link out to your online community to encourage others to give back.
4. Take action.

There are many wonderful national charities, but I would encourage that you to dig a little deeper.  Although these organizations are great, I personally find satisfaction in seeking out smaller, local charities.  I know that both my money and my efforts are going back to my local community.  In addition, it’s usually not as easy for smaller organizations to find help and funding, and I feel like my efforts are more appreciated somehow.

If you represent or know of a great charity, please feel free to advertise it below.  Also, be sure to include anything you need specific help with and where you’re located.  For those who already donate their time, include your experiences here.  You may just motivate someone to take action.

Happy Holidays!