Make a Difference in the Life of a Child This Holiday Season
Make a Difference in the Life of a Child This Holiday Season
Many of us get caught up in the hustle and bustle during the Christmas season as we rush around decorating, planning, shopping, attending church and school plays and our local Christmas parades. For families that are struggling to make ends meet, the holidays can be one of the most difficult times of the year, especially for those with young children. Buying gifts and extra food is not in their budgets and some are struggling with where they will sleep at night or even get their next meal.
This is the perfect time of the year to extend the spirit of giving beyond our homes and circle of friends and to give to families specifically those with children that are less fortunate. Donating or volunteer can really make a difference in the lives of children in our community. Here are 5 ways you can make a difference for a child this holiday season.
Donate Stockings
Fill stockings with toys and donate them to a local battered women’s shelter. Many of the families living in battered women’s shelters have had to flee their homes for their safety, often times they leave their homes without any personal items. Homeless and hiding many battered women in these shelters also find themselves with no source of income making providing Christmas for their children next to impossible.
Filling stockings with toys for these children is a perfect way to brighten their Christmas and bring comfort to those mothers who have had to take drastic measures to protect themselves and their families.
Organize a Food Drive
Organize a Food Drive
Organize a food drive and donate to your local food pantry. The reality that children or families right in our own communities might be struggling to get their next meal is a harsh reality. The still-faltering economy is adding unwanted stress to low-income families as they prepare to celebrate Christmas this year. As the holidays approach, food pantries across the country are asking for assistance from the public to aid those who will come to them for help. Organizing a food drive for your local food pantry is a tangible way for your family to help those that are less fortunate in your community this holiday season.
Angel Trees
Angel Trees
Participate in an Angel Tree program this year purchasing gifts for children on your local area Angel Tree programs typically provide assistance for disadvantaged children and senior citizens. These programs offer a unique opportunity for your family to become personally involved because you are able to choose a specific child or senior you want to shop for at Christmas. Angel Trees are placed in malls, business, churches and stores throughout the holiday season.
Volunteer Your Time
Volunteer Your Time
Take the family and volunteer one Saturday in December at a local soup kitchen. This holiday season, thousands of children across this country won’t wake up in a warm bed, perhaps not even in a warm house and many of them without food. Because we will, we should be thankful for all our blessings and reach out to those who are less fortunate. Volunteering to serve meals at your local soup kitchen as a family is the perfect way to reach out this Christmas!
Adopt a Family
Adopt a Family
Contact your local department of Social Services and adopt a family this Christmas and collect/purchase items on their wish list. Each year thousands of children are served through the Department of Social Services. Some are members of families receiving assistance and others are children who have been taken into custody due to parental neglect or abuse. This year why not contact your local DSS office and ask to adopt a family or a few children for the holidays. Because of confidentiality, you won’t be able to have direct contact, but the case workers can provide you with needed information for you to be secret Santa for some very special children!
