This time of year can get pretty busy between shopping, cooking, baking, and getting our homes holiday ready. It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the season and forget that not everyone is as fortunate. While kids look through toy catalogs and make lists for Santa, consider teaching them about true holiday spirit. Volunteering is one of the most selfless acts a person can do. Getting involved in giving back is a great way to teach kids to be kind, humble servants all year long. Use these experiences as life lessons.
This season, and all seasons really, look for ways to give back to others in need. During the fall/winter months and holidays, there are hundreds of ways to help locally.
Here are some good ways to help spread Christmas cheer in DFW this year:
Serve meals at a local soup kitchen.
The North Texas Food Bank (NTFB) is a nonprofit organization that provides access to more than 200,000 meals each day for hungry children, seniors, and families across a 13-county service area. Volunteer: Host a canned-food drive. Check out the North Texas Food Bank volunteer handbook. Contact the team at [email protected] or 214-270-1996 with questions. Or find a local food pantry or soup kitchen here.
Donate to Toys for Tots.
The U.S. Marine Corps Reserve collects new toys to give as Christmas gifts to less-fortunate children. Their mission is to provide toys, books, and other special gifts to kids. Volunteer: There are three ways to help DFW Toys for Tots this 2021 holiday season: volunteer your time, host an event or drop box, or donate.
Become a volunteer with Sadie’s Sleigh.
Sadie was diagnosed with Leukemia in 2015 when she was 7 years old. While in the hospital, she made YouTube videos to share her story. Today, she has one mission: “To put a smile on the faces of children fighting cancer all over the country and remind them to keep fighting by giving them special gifts.” Sadie’s Sleigh now works with Children’s Medical Center in Dallas, Children’s Medical Center in Plano, Medical City Children’s Hospital, and Cook Children’s Hospital in Fort Worth. Volunteer: Find opportunities to bring Sadie’s Sleigh to your community here.
Check out a bunch more family volunteer opportunities here!
Do you have any holiday volunteering traditions in your family? Please share!
