12 Ways of Serving

I love sharing about my family’s holiday traditions when this time of year rolls around.  Since we’ve shifted how we ‘do’ Christmas, I thought I’d compile a list of ways to serve this holiday season, as part of our celebrations.

I took to my Facebook page to ask how others serve their community with their families.  I really enjoyed all the feedback I received.  So without further ado, here are ways your family can serve your community.

  1. Volunteer at a pet adoption event at your local pet store or donate to a local pet rescue.  PetCo, POPP, and Mikey’s Chance Rescue are a few local options.
  2. Visit nursing homes and bring treats, read, and sing carols.  We’ve done this a few different years and it is always a good time, for us and the residents.
  3. Grab some children from a giving tree (the local Hunny-Do Crew has one), Operation Christmas Child, or Toys 4 Tots.  Children really get excited about giving to other children.
  4. Pack a few gallon zippered baggies with personal care products/toiletries and keep them handy in your car to hand out to people who you see asking for help on the streets.
  5. Put some time in at a local food pantry.  2nd Harvest, Tri-Cities Food Bank, and the Tri-Cities Union Gospel Mission are good places to start.
  6. United Way has a ton of volunteer opportunities.
  7. The simple act of picking up litter in your local communities can benefit so many people. Check out Doing Good Together for a little extra help and direction.
  8. Whether you have a heart for children, teenagers, the disabled, low-income families, seniors, or others, we have programs that need compassionate volunteers like you. You can fill out the blanket volunteer form for Catholic Charities.
  9. Help get warm meals into the bellies of your local communities.  Volunteer your time or donations to Soul Soup.
  10. Safe Harbor Support Center is always in need of volunteers. Opportunities include meal planning and cooking, assisting in child care, gardening, general maintenance and repairs, clerical work, holding food and clothing drives, Christmas gift drives and support, plus more.
  11. There are several ways to serve your community at Habitat for Humanity.  Construction sites are open to 16 and over, but they work with families who have younger children too.
  12. An easy way to serve your community year round is through Random Acts of Kindness.

    12 Ways of Serving your community
    My older children helping my Son’s Boy Scout troop in a service project.
    12 Ways of Serving

Why do we serve others?  There are several reasons why, including: more happiness, reduced stress, stronger relationships, enriches lives, expand your horizons, reduce mild depression, improve your career, and more importantly, shift from ‘me’ to ‘we’.

How does your family serve others/your community?  Let me know in the comments!

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