Some members of local non-profits wanted to spread the message of Giving Tuesday this year, promoting the idea of giving back in order to counteract all the commercialism of Black Friday and Cyber Monday the Tuesday after the rigmarole.
As someone who enjoys volunteering and giving back to the community, I propose that this is something we need more of in today’s world.
Giving back does more than just make someone feel good, there are also wide reaching benefits for the community as well. When we do something good we inspire others to do something good as well.
Especially when it comes to young people, they need positive role models in their lives and something like volunteering can inspire them to look for their own opportunities to give back.
While chipping in during a busy season this could be the spark that starts a young person on their own future as a lifelong volunteer.
There are always ways to give back to the community, and non-profit organizations look for volunteers and donations all through the year.
Since we think about volunteering, donations, and getting involved in the community during the Christmas season, are there ways to give more than presents this year?
Buying local is a one way we can give back with our gift giving by supporting local small business as well as supporting the community by supporting business owners.
There is something to be said for buying local, especially when some small businesses have locally made items in stock.
Gifting a donation to a local non-profit in someone else’s name can also be a good way to support local organizations while also letting someone know that you are thinking about them by supporting their favourite charity.
Helping out around the holidays does not mean grand gestures or hours of work.
When it comes to Christmas season activities, we can always volunteer as a way of staying active in the community. Christmas is a crazy time where we have a combination of people and non-profits both working on holiday projects to make the season bright.
All of this takes person-power so taking the time to help out anywhere that needs it can be important for a projects success.
Small ways of giving back can have big impacts, such as taking a lonely neighbour for coffee or shovelling a sidewalk for someone who you know has mobility trouble. Something simple can go a long way in brightening someone’s day as well as teaching young people a valuable lesson about how giving back can be such a simple thing.
We can all use a little more joy in our lives and what better way than making someone else’s Christmas a little brighter?
However, the best possible way we can keep the spirit of Christmas alive is to keep the season of giving going throughout the year.
Late winter and early spring are times when donations to non-profits slip, so let us think about giving during those tough times too.
