Making Seasons Bright Through Volunteerism
The holidays bring warm feelings and good cheer. And you can make the season even brighter by helping others! By volunteering, we strengthen our communities and forge connections with those around us. Let’s look at some simple ways to help others this season.
Why Helping Others Matters
Volunteering is about helping others, but it helps us feel better, too! When we give our time, we become part of something bigger than ourselves. Research shows that 94 percent of people who volunteer say that volunteering improves their mood. And 78 percent say it lowers their stress!
The proof is in the figgy pudding. Even small acts of kindness can make a big difference in your community—and within yourself.
Volunteer Ideas & How to Get Involved
If you’re interested in volunteering but aren’t sure where to start, here are four ways to get involved:
1. Food Banks and Shelters
Many food banks and shelters are very busy during the holidays. They need volunteers to help pack food, serve meals and sort donations. If you’re able, consider donating items like non-perishable food, warm clothing and blankets. Call your local food bank or shelter to ask how you can help.
2. Community Centers and Churches
Your local community center or church may have volunteer activities, especially during the holidays. They often post volunteer events, like holiday dinners and clothing drives, on their websites or bulletin boards. Some of these organizations hold gift-giving drives for families in need, and volunteering to wrap gifts or distribute them can be a meaningful way to spread holiday joy!
3. Online Tools
If you want to find volunteer activities near you, check out websites like VolunteerMatch and Idealist. These sites have filters to help you find volunteer roles that match your interests, location and time availability. You can find both in-person and online ways to help others, like writing cards for people in need or helping charities organize events.
4. Helping Neighbors
Volunteering doesn’t have to be official. You can do kind things for people right in your neighborhood, like organizing a neighborhood cleanup, shoveling snow for an elderly neighbor or delivering holiday cards to spread cheer. These acts build strong bonds and show the true spirit of the season right where you live.
Connect with the Lifeline Program
Assurance Wireless offers the Lifeline program to help people stay connected with free wireless service. This program makes it easier to keep up with volunteer opportunities and stay in touch with people in your community. Here’s how to get started with Lifeline:
• Check if you qualify:
Take a look at our How to Qualify page to see if you’re eligible based on things like income and participation in other federal programs.
• Apply online:
Applying is simple, but there are important steps to follow. Check out our blog post on how to apply.
• Get connected:
Use your new free cell service to look up volunteer activities, find directions or keep in touch with community groups.
No matter how you choose to help others, remember that every small act of kindness counts. This holiday season, let’s embrace the spirit of giving and make a difference together!