Five Ways to Volunteer that Will Help Get You in the Holiday Spirit

A really great way to help you get into the holiday spirit, is for you to volunteer your time to someone or a group of someones who really need it. The following five ideas are meant to guide you in finding a way to volunteer, or help you come up with ideas of your own. The rewards you gain when volunteering are far higher than the costs you incur (whether financial or not) when offering to help those in need.

One: Every city has a retirement or nursing home, and most generally if you telephone the director or manager of one, they will give you many volunteering opportunities within. You can perhaps spend time with the residents, help in the office, work in the kitchen, or even bring in something you have created to share. A lot of the people in these homes have no family, or little time spent with outside visitors, so just you being there can make a world of difference. And if you have a small child, even better, bring the child along (with permission, of course).

Two: Find a homeless shelter and offer to volunteer your services. Again, you will probably find options available to you such as delivering food baskets or items, working in a kitchen, helping to clean, or even assisting with things such as job hunting or developing work skills. If the shelter does not have a program in place that you think you could help with, and are qualified to do, why not offer to start up a program that runs once a week that you are in charge of? The benefits of such volunteering is fantastic for both givers and recipients.

Three: Work for a local education program. You can volunteer at a local K-12 school, a higher education facility, or even an adult work program. You can help student with literacy, read a book, assist with supervision, help in the cafeteria or at recess, or make copies in the office for the teacher or instructor so they have more quality time with their students. Be sure to obtain proper permission from the dean, principal, etc. prior to engaging in assistance. Education is an area where volunteers are sorely needed in many aspects, so your volunteered assistance is certain to be a welcome addition.

Four: You can telephone your local unemployment office or temporary employment agency and they should be able to offer you volunteer positions, or direct you to an array of opportunities. Each agency is different, so you want to be certain to contact the administrator ahead of time to set up an appointment to discuss ways you can volunteer to help.

Five: An organized charity, such as United Way, Red Cross, Salvation Army, or a local clothe/feed the children program could relish the opportunity to use your volunteer services, any time of the year, but especially during the holiday season! A perusal of the Internet or telephone book should lead you to many areas available in your area where you can offer your services, or you could telephone the local newspaper office for suggestions where your help could be used.

Taking care of yourself and your family during the holidays is a given. Helping those you don't know, could become a given for you as well. Start a holiday tradition in the family of helping others. The positive affect you have on a person who may not have otherwise gotten a helping hand or a caring thought, could last a lifetime.