Simply Camden

Tis The Season To Be Giving!!!

The holidays have arrived and what better way to be in the holiday spirit than to share a little generosity with others. With the slowing economy financial donations may not be for everyone, but there is no need to feel like you can’t contribute. There are plenty of things you can do to help someone less fortunate without necessarily pulling out the wallet. Some of the great ideas I found include contributions such as donating gently used clothing, volunteering at a food bank, collecting canned goods and gently used toys, and simply donating your time.

To get you started in the giving mood, check out some of these ideas:

Singing carols and serving cookies at an assisted living community.

If you are an animal lover – sponsor a pet for the season by collecting bedding, food, and toys. For local pets in need contact www.helpinganimals.com

Donate your time serving hot meals to the homeless and less fortunate. Search your local food bank for opportunities. For example here in Atlanta check out www.Atlantafoodbank.com

Save any scraps of material and make a blanket. Project Linus (projectlinus.org) will donate them to social service agencies, seriously ill children and shelters.

Bake an extra pie or two and donate to your local fire or police station to show your gratitude for their selfless efforts all year round.

Donate blood to your local American Blood Cross location.

Helping a neighbor organize a room or sit with an neighbor or college’s elderly parent while they run an errand.

Research your local Habitat for Humanity. See where the next projects are in your neighborhood and lend a hand.

Stop by your child’s school and donate your time to read a story to children or help staff hang holiday decorations

And remember: giving back during the holidays and giving back on any other day of the year should be the same: a warm smile, a “please” or a “thank you,” and maybe a nice hug. Instead of laying on your horn in traffic or pushing your way to the front of a line, take the time to make others’ days a bit happier and you’ll find you’ve given yourself the gift of happiness, too.