As we all know, the holidays have arrived in their now traditionally premature fashion. It’s only November and every pharmacy and grocery store has brought out the twinkle lights. I love the holiday season just as much, if not more, than your average person, but the early onset festivities can be a bit overwhelming. With all of this encouragement to buy, buy, buy with the greatest of cheer, it’s easy to lose sight of the best part of the season: the spirit and warmth that comes from sharing with others.
One of the most popular ways to share the holiday spirit is to volunteer. I recently started volunteering with Volunteer Toronto, an organization that promotes volunteerism and serves as a resource both for individuals looking to donate their time, and for organizations looking for these individuals. My friends and I fondly refer to this as “meta-volunteering.” It’s no secret that the job market is rough for young people these days, and I have found volunteering to be a productive and satisfying way to supplement my somewhat unfulfilling part-time work in retail. Although I’m not the only one of my friends to seek out volunteer opportunities, donating time to a good cause is hardly popular, or practical, within our generation. Our notoriously self-involved age group is not super eager to make working for free a priority.
As part of my duties with Volunteer Toronto, I was asked to look into unconventional ways people can share their holiday warmth by donating their time and effort, and I think my contemporaries might be interested in what I’ve found. While traditional forms of volunteering are a great way to perform an act of holiday kindness, many organizations reach their capacity for helping hands several weeks before the season begins. If you run into this problem, or are just looking for a different way to share your spirit, I have some ideas for you!
Acts of holiday kindness can start with the most simple of steps—offering to help your neighbors. Do you ever notice the elderly man in your building struggling with his groceries? Go out of your way to offer your help with errands, big or small. It will not only make their day, but also make your hallway interactions that much more meaningful. You can also take a moment to consider those important individuals who often go overlooked—the postal service worker who delivers your bills or the checkout girl at Shoppers who never fails to be cheerful. Consider writing them a letter of appreciation to let them know that their efforts aren’t unacknowledged. You can take things a step further and prepare a simple meal or care kit for the homeless people in your neighborhood to help them get through the cold weather.
If you’d like to share your spirit of caring with your friends, consider turning that holiday party you were already going to have, into a small-scale charity event. Ask guests to bring a toy, piece of warm clothing, or canned food for donation, or charge an admission fee as a gift to the organization of your choice. You can also tap into your crafty side and get together with friends to knit or crochet scarves and hats and donate them to a local shelter. Turn either of these events into a larger scale operation by launching a food, toy, or clothing drive and posting pictures on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook to get friends of friends to participate. It really does feel good to use these tools for good, especially during the holidays.
If you simply can’t donate your time, consider spending a little money on a practical gift for someone across the globe. Several organizations make financial contributions a little bit more personal by letting you choose where your money goes. For example, the Red Cross lets you create your own “Survival Kit” with items like blankets, food, or baby diapers (www.redcross.ca/gift). Alternatively, you can actually provide a family with a work animal like a sheep or goat through a donation to Heifer International (www.heifer.org). Other popular ways to do good remotely include adopting an endangered animal through the Toronto Zoo or World Wildlife Foundation, or donating your Air Miles to charity.
If any of these ideas succeed in making your holidays a bit more meaningful, it might just become a new tradition for you and your friends. I for one think that we Millennials could use some new habits of giving. Check out Volunteer Toronto’s website for more traditional volunteering opportunities. Opportunities available this December include visiting with seniors, serving meals to the homeless, and providing transportation for disabled individuals.
By Emily Doyle
