Time-saving tips and creative advice for any occasion
Ready, Set, Give
By Amy Clark
Founder or MomAdvice.com and Kenmore home management expert
Every year around this time, I'm reminded of how lucky I am and how fortunate my family is. For me, the holidays are a time to take stock of what you have and lend a hand to those who need it most. With so many of our neighbors in need of support, I encourage families to find an organization that's important to them and volunteer.
My family has a personal connection to the Ronald McDonald House Charities®, so I dedicate a lot of my time to families that come through its doors. From collecting soda pop tabs to raise money, to donating to their food pantry, to taking meals to new moms, I've been able to positively affect the lives of others and create many special memories.
In big ways or small, take time this season to pay it forward and say "thanks."
My favorite giving memory
In the same spirit as Oprah's famous "Big Give", I created a local Big Give program in my city. With Kenmore's help, I was able to deliver more than $7,500 in appliances to a local charity, along with much-needed toiletries and perishables.
Ready? Let's give
Here are my favorite ways to give back during the holidays.
- Head to your fire station to thank firefighters and volunteers for what they do. Your kids can bring them yummy treats and handcrafted cards.
- Adopt a family through a local community group. Deliver meals during the season and help make a dent in their holiday wish list.
- Befriend those in nursing homes. Decorate their rooms, read to them or spend quality time making new friends.
- De-clutter your home, go through toys and clean out closets together as a family, then give unwanted items to a local shelter.
- Help serve a holiday meal or two at your community soup kitchen.
- Lend a hand ringing bells for the Salvation Army.
- Contact your local animal shelter and volunteer to walk and feed rescue pets.
- Log on to VolunteerMatch.org to search volunteer opportunities in your area.
Recruit your kids
One of my most treasured memories comes from the time my son and I brought a new Nintendo Wii to a local women's shelter. Seeing his face light up as he presented the gift was incredible - he was even more excited than I was to show the women and children what we had brought. Volunteering can build your child's confidence, sense of community and compassion for others. Plus, it's fun, so getting your children to give back may be easier than you think!
For younger kids
Turn gift giving and donating into art projects. Create pictures to go with the items or foods you give. They will feel more involved in the process, and it's a tradition you can carry on for years.
For older kids
Teens' energy and passion for shopping and driving can be put to good use. Older children can help with grocery shopping or delivering meals. As a teenager, I helped out at a nursing home.
What's your giving personality?
Are you a gadget guru, cook extraordinaire or fix-it champ? You can give back and have fun doing it!
Techno-geek
- Develop a website or promotional materials for a non-profit group.
- Design a logo and business cards for a community group and help brainstorm fundraising ideas.
Outdoor aficionado
- Sign up for a charity marathon and raise money for a good cause.
- Volunteer as a Christmas caroler to spread cheer in your neighborhood.
Design diva
- Log on to Projectlinus.org and knit blankets for children in hospitals.
- Teach arts and crafts to a Boys and Girls Club or to residents at a nursing home.
- Help to decorate and fill shoeboxes that will be donated to Operation Christmas.
Gourmet
- Coordinate bake sales for non-profit ogranizations in your community.
- Lead a canned food drive at your office, place of worship or local mall.
Social butterfly
- Volunteer as a hostess at the Ronald McDonald House Charities or other wellness center.
- Mentor a child through the Big Brothers Big Sisters.
- Become a hospice volunteer.
Mr. or Ms. Fix-it
- Lend time assisting with building maintenance at a church or community center.
- Help an older neighbor with more challenging home repairs.
- Volunteer with Habitat for Humanity to help build a home for a family in need.
Amy's freebie
Create a lasting holiday memory.
Instead of filling holiday stockings with gifts, over the course of a month my family takes time to write down things we love about each other. As the holidays draw near, we read the notes to one another. There's nothing sweeter than your young son telling you that he thinks you're beautiful!
