The Holidays are a time to share with others and give back, but sometimes it's hard to know where to begin. Here are nine opportunities to consider.
9 Volunteer Opportunities for the Holidays
The Holidays are often a time of year when families want to share with others and give back to those in their community but sometimes it is hard to know where to begin; to help you along the way we have compiled a list of just a few of the organizations around the Miami Valley that could benefit from your contributions, as well as a list of ways you and your family can help to make someone’s holiday season a little brighter. It is never too early to instill in little ones the importance of giving back, be it time or toys, even the littlest of hands can help make a difference.
St. Vincent De Paul, an area organization that offers emergency assistance to the homeless accepts a variety of donations ranging from goods, to monetary donations and even vehicles. Learn more about how you can help here.
If you are interested in helping local animals, check out SICSA. Located in Kettering, SICSA is a service specializing in the adoption and well-being of pets and have a variety of ways you can get involved from donating time to goods. Check out their Contribute page for details.
According to their website, The Foodbank of Dayton provides assistance to approximately 70,000 people annually and are always accepting donations. Food drive locations can be found across the Miami Valley.
Started in 2010, Shoes 4 The Shoeless has already helped thousands of Dayton-area children by fitting them with appropriate sized, good condition shoes and socks. You can help with a monetary donation or by donating new shoes and socks. Find out more information on how to help here.
Dayton Children’s Hospital always has a current wish list on their website of what their little patients need the most. They also offer suggestions on handmade items that they like to accept and offer to those needing them. Check out how you can help here.
The mission of Hannah’s Treasure Chest is to enrich the lives of children in need; they fulfill this mission by supplying families with the essential items they need to raise their children, as well as furniture, toys, books and more. They accept items at a variety of locations around town and at their facility in Centerville. They also offer the option to shop Amazon.com and have the items shipped directly to them. More information on how you can help can be found here.
We Care Arts “believes in the healing power of creating and producing art that transforms physical, developmental and mental challenges into a future rich with possibilities.” They list a variety of ways you can help on their website, ranging from donating time, supplies, or even sponsoring an event.
Another great way to help animals in our area is to donate to the Humane Society of Greater Dayton. So far this year they have saved 1,448 animal lives through adoption. Their website offers an extensive list of ways you and your family can help to keep this organization thriving.
Dayton’s House of Bread works to prevent hunger and help those in need get in touch with the resources they may need. They offer a hot, nutritious meal 365 days a year and are always looking for volunteers or financial contributions. If you would like to help please find more information here.
Want a few more ideas of how you can get started at home? Try out a few of these suggestions.
- Create holiday cards for nursing home residents
- Bake and deliver cookies to your local fire or police station
- Sort through toys, clothes and books to donate
- Spend an afternoon picking up trash at a local park
- Write a letter thanking a teacher or community leader
- Make hats and scarves for the homeless
- Go shopping for items to donate to your local food bank
- Collect items to donate to a local animal shelter
Do you have an organization that you contribute to regularly, or would be a great option for families looking to help? Let us know!
