Imagine spending the holidays away from loved ones. Many service members and their families are forced to deal with this.

You and your family can get involved by volunteering for the  American Red Cross Holidays for Heroes Program.

It provides an excellent opportunity to express gratitude and honor military members, veterans, and their families by engaging in various activities, such as composing letters to service members deployed abroad.

Start a pajama or book drive in your area to offer comfort to families facing hardships, especially children.

The Pajama Program provides all the information needed to host a successful donation drive targeting children under 12 years old.

Simple gestures like leaving kind notes or aiding local causes can brighten someone’s day.

Participate in volunteer work, donate to food banks, or share household items within the community.

Many residents in nursing homes spend the majority of their time without regular visitors.

Bring cheer to elderly residents by volunteering or gifting small items. A visit or thoughtful present can make a significant difference in their holidays.

Encourage children to reach out to classmates sitting alone during lunch breaks, fostering new friendships and breaking social isolation.

If this makes your child nervous, they can bring a few friends to join them in this act of kindness.

Choose to shop locally and contribute to your community’s economy. Discover unique, handcrafted gifts while supporting small businesses.

Money spent at local businesses tends to stay within the community and create a cycle of economic benefits.

Organize bake sales or participate in Toys for Tots initiatives, involving the whole family in charitable efforts for the community. You can even organize your own Toys for Tots event in your community. 

During the holiday season, numerous chances arise to collaborate with community groups and enterprises, offering your time to assist and back charitable events within your local area.

During this joyful time, consider extending kindness to another family. This might involve dressing up as Santa and his elves, spreading holiday cheer, or embracing a family or children’s Christmas list and fulfilling their wishes.

Your children might find delight in shopping for others, turning it into a scavenger hunt for wish list items. They can aid in wrapping gifts and adding personalized notes or touches. If suitable, consider taking them along when delivering the gifts. This can instill a sense of achievement and joy in older children.