giving 5 ways to give back this holiday season
Christmas, Hanukah, Holidays. Presents, gifts, thoughtfulness. These are what people have in mind this last month every year. Children are spoiled silly, car sales increase, carols fill the streets. Every story, song, and cheer relates to giving; putting smiles on the faces of the people you love. Houses are warm and lit for families to enjoy themselves. But what about the unfortunate? The poor? The unloved? Who will bring them the same compassion, warmth and love we have been blessed with? I urge you to consider these people before splurging this Holiday Season. Here’s how you can give back to those in need. 1. Find companies that give back Compassionate companies are becoming more popular these days to do exactly this. Through sales, some select companies dedicate a certain percentage those children, families and individuals who have been stricken by natural disasters, poverty, and war. O’BON, for example, dedicates percentages of their sales to children to aid them with an education. 2. Send a gift Everybody knows the poor soul who recently got laid off, or the misguided friend, troubled teen, you name it. The holiday time can be incredibly dark for some of these individuals who just need a step in the right direction, aid, or just attention. Send them a gift, gift card, or something practical to help them back on their feet this next year. 3. Help a stranger Just walking downtown you can find people in need of real-world help. These people are poor, sad, and have lost their direction in life. You can see them looking at their feet where they walk, with cold, sad, faces. Offer them your help, a coffee or some change, and feel good that you have helped somebody last another day during this cold winter. 4. Donate Canned food, clothes, baby products, practical necessities are in great demand by the homeless, broke or broken every day. It isn’t realistic of us to do this all the time, but now’s the time to do it. Clear the house of these items you don’t need and donate them to your local salvation army, or compassionate organization so that we can all sleep a little more soundly tonight. 5. Volunteer Especially this time of year, soup kitchens, shelters and hospitals experience an increase in traffic. The people working at these venues always need a helping hand, searching for local community centers to see how you can volunteer will directly benefit the needy and give you an outlet to do good and feel good at the same time. Not to say that we should all cancel our trips and plans for the holidays, but helping in the smallest way can save lives during these tough times. The next time you a person in help, ask yourself: what if that was me?
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