How to Spread a Little Holiday Cheer in Your Own Community
In these times of uncertainty, lend a helping hand to those who need it most.
Photo: Pinterest
Whether you celebrate Christmas or Hanukkah, Kwanza or The Solstice, this time of year has always been about spreading happiness and cheer as well as reaching out to others. This year, in particular, has done a number on us all and many people are struggling more than ever to pay bills, buy food and give their family a happy holiday. For those of us who’ve been fortunate enough not to be seriously affected by this pandemic, we owe it to those who are in need to give back. Even with social distancing rules in place, there are still plenty of ways to make your community a better and more joyful place. Here’s what you can do to reach out and spread some happiness this holiday.
Adopt a Family This Christmas or Hanukkah
Around the holidays, many churches and synagogues reach out to local families who may be having hard time affording presents or food to provide lists of the items they’re in need of. Congregations typically have the option of “adopting” an entire family and purchasing desired items for that family, or a less specific array of gifts and foodstuffs, which volunteers then distribute. My own family has adopted a family for the past several years and I’ve always found it to be a truly rewarding experience. Of course, the pandemic has disrupted the typical delivery process, but many places offer contactless drop off, so you can play Santa Claus while keeping you and your family safe. Even if you are unable to adopt an entire family, there is still the option to purchase a few smaller gifts that’ll go to families in need.
Donate to a Food Bank
Food banks have always seen their services needed most during the holiday season. The collapse of the economy and mass layoffs have left so many with dire economic strain. More people than ever have needed to utilize the services of their local food bank. Unfortunately, food banks all across the country have reported shortages of staple products and a sharp drop in donations during the pandemic, just when the greatest need for their services arose. Food banks mainly accept nonperishable goods like canned foods, pasta and applesauce, most of which are relatively inexpensive to purchase. A good tip is to call your local food bank and ask what items are in the greatest demand. Most food banks now offer contactless drop-off for donations, so you don’t have to worry about social distancing. Donating to a food bank is super easy, just buy a little extra the next time you go shopping. Every little bit helps!
Leave a Little Surprise for Delivery Drivers
The convenience of e-commerce has seen an immense increase in the number of products ordered online versus being bought in traditional brick-and-mortar stores during the holidays. The pandemic has only increased demand for online shopping and this holiday is proving to be no different. With new lockdown restrictions being put in place, many stores may have to close their physical locations, and an increasing number of shoppers are turning to online gift-purchasing options. This, of course, means that Amazon, FedEx, UPS, and USPS delivery drivers will be working even harder than any other holiday. Many drivers work incredibly long hours and don’t have long for breaks as they must make all of their deliveries on time. Consider purchasing a party pack of sealed snacks like potato chips or cookies and a case of bottled water. Setting up a basket outside your front door is easy and doesn’t require any physical contact, so you can show your gratitude safely and protect both parties.
Thank Your Local Healthcare Workers
Although the pandemic has been hard on everyone, healthcare workers have been particularly heroic, sacrificing grueling hours of their time, their health, and sometimes even their lives to treat those suffering from COVID-19. For months, many even lacked proper personal protective equipment. Yet, they still went into work and did their best to save lives. We owe a huge debt of gratitude to all of those who work in the medical field. Although many hospitals and healthcare facilities do not allow flower and chocolate deliveries (for obvious reasons), you can still show your thanks in another way. Several hospitals have links on their websites where you can send messages of support and gratitude to healthcare workers completely contact-free. Some facilities do allow contactless drop-offs of a different nature, so consider handwriting cards and dropping them off at your nearest healthcare provider. Messages from the heart often mean the most and let these heroes know how much their tireless efforts are appreciated.
Make a Monetary Donation to a Charity or GoFundMe
There is no shortage of great charities that provide excellent services to people in need. UNICEF, The Red Cross, Feed America, the list goes on and on. Lending a helping hand can be as easy as making a donation to a cause you feel strongly about. You can search for charities by cause on Charity Navigator, which also provides a rating system and information about how funds are used, for thousands of charities. You can always donate to a GoFundMe or two as well, which allows you to directly help an individual with a specific need. GoFundMe offers the option of leaving a tip, which takes care of processing fees, allowing 100% of your donation to go to the organizer. Whether big or small, making donations is an easy way to help those in need.
Taking the time to help others is truly a rewarding experience. Even though the ways in which you can offer your help may be a little different this year, it’s still relatively easy to reach out a helping hand and make a difference. After all, change starts with you!
I wish everyone the happiest possible holiday season and hope you’re all staying safe and healthy.
Au revoir,
Matea