How to Find Volunteer Projects at Christmastime

Christmas may be "the most wonderful time of the year," but without help from others, Christmas wouldn't be half as jolly for the less fortunate. Whether you help a child have a present to open on Christmas morning or hand out meals at the local homeless shelter, you have plenty of ways to help those around you. Spread Christmas cheer, help others and feel great while doing it.

Instructions

1. Get together a group of friends and contact a local nursing home to arrange a day to spend an afternoon or evening with the residents. Bring a deck of cards, some board games or old movies and snacks.

2. Volunteer at a food bank or homeless shelter for a few hours.

3. Collect donations of toiletries, clothes and small toys for a battered women's shelter. Help the shelters have something for the children to open by making donations of toys, books, games and clothes for kids before Christmas.

4. Provide Christmas presents for a needy child through local programs.

5. Get together a group of people and go caroling at the home of elderly church members or shut-ins.

Tips & Warnings

• Start a family tradition of helping others at Christmas time. Set aside a small budget to use for Christmas volunteering and donating every year.

Resources

• Salvation Army