How To: Volunteer for the Holidays

Now that school’s out, you’ve got a lot more time. Ditch the couch and help out in a festive way:

1. Volunteer to wrap presents with recycled newspaper, calendars, and posters, or with eco-friendly fibers.
2. Lead a holiday crafts activity with younger students at your school or in your community.
3. Volunteer to sing carols or read holiday books at a local senior home.
4. Find a local Toys for Tots chapter or check out your synagogue, church or community center, and help wrap presents for kids in need.
5. Tons of animals are adopted around the holidays. Help your local animal shelter clean up the little critters and improve their chances of getting a home.
6. Have a disabled neighbor who can't decorate their home? Offer to hang lights, place ornaments, or do anything else to brighten their home for the holidays.
7. Give others a proper holiday meal by volunteering at a soup kitchen or delivering meals to seniors with Meals on Wheels.
8. Get some friends together and give our soldiers some love by writing them letters.
9. Help out at the public library. With so many kids on Winter Break, they’ll probably need more story readers.
10. It's the holiday season so tons of celebrations are on the calendar. Help your local MADD office get people to pledge not to drink and drive.
11. Make a self-less New Year’s resolution by promising to volunteer once a month! Check out the DoSomething.org action matrix for some ideas!