Places to Volunteer in NYC on Christmas Day

Christmas in New York City is a time of giving to family, and to those in need.

Hollywood movies extol the magic of Christmas in New York City, when tourists and New Yorkers enjoy special events and holiday lights. Christmas is a time when people want to give back, and on Christmas Day itself, there are plenty ways to volunteer in New York City. Some places allow children to help, so Christmas volunteering can be a family activity. Note that for some organizations, even one-time volunteers must receive training.

Prospect Park YMCA

The Prospect Park YMCA, in Park Slope, Brooklyn, serves hundreds of meals to the homeless on Christmas Day. Families with children ages 8 and up can volunteer together to welcome guests, serve meals, clean up and distribute hats, gloves, and toys for children. Volunteers are asked to call [phone] in advance for one of two four-hour shifts, or both shifts. You can bring new hats, gloves or toys; all the food is provided. As of 2010, meals are served in the Y's annex, the Armory.

God's Love We Deliver

God's Love We Deliver in Greenwich Village, which provides food to people with HIV/AIDS, cancer and other serious illnesses, is a very popular organization, so volunteer opportunities fill up quickly. To help with the Christmas Day Winter Holiday Feast, fill out a volunteer form on the website in the early fall. On Christmas Day, volunteers are needed to deliver a home-cooked dinner to people in need in all 5 boroughs.

Catholic Charities

Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York operate in Manhattan, The Bronx and Staten Island. On Christmas Day, adults can help with the "Midnight Run," an evening program to prepare, package and distribute food, clothing and toiletries to homeless people. All volunteers must be 18 or older. To volunteer, you must attend a brief orientation and training; register for a volunteer session on the website.

Marble Collegiate Church

Marble Collegiate Church, just south of midtown in Manhattan, allows adults and families to serve breakfast to the homeless on Christmas morning. On Christmas Day, volunteers can also donate, wrap and deliver gifts. You can also donate non-perishable food items to be distributed to the homes of needy seniors in the area by the church's HONEY (Help Our Neighbors Eat Year-round) program. To volunteer, visit's the website's outreach page.

References

• Prospect Park YMCA
• God's Love We Deliver
• Catholic Charities
• Marble Collegiate Church

Resources

• Christmastime in New York City
• Prospect Park YMCA: Contact Us
• God's Love We Deliver: Volunteer Sign Up
• Catholic Charities: Get Involved, Volunteer
• Marble Collegiate Church: Outreach