The holiday season is a time of giving and joy. For many, that means buying or making unique gifts for their family and friends. However, another way to get into the season’s spirit is donating your time, money, or skills to those in need.
And let’s be honest: volunteering is the perfect way to support your community and get involved locally. But if you can’t leave your home or have limited mobility, you may have to take a different approach to giving back. To help you find the best option for giving back, here are a few volunteer opportunities worth considering:
At-Home Christmas Volunteer Opportunities
By giving your time, resources, or support, you can make someone else’s Christmas so much brighter. Not sure where to start? Here are a couple ideas:
1. Explore the Adopt-a-Soldier Program
The Adopt-a-Soldier Program is an excellent way to give back to our armed forces and make them feel appreciated. Many members of the military are unable to spend the holidays with friends and family, and the efforts of this program give them a happier holiday.
From home, you can contribute to this program with monetary donations, creating homemade goods and care packages to send to individuals, or reaching out to service members with thoughtful cards or handwritten letters.
2. Join the Online Activist Network With NRDC
The NRDC, or Natural Resources Defense Council, works hard to enact positive change for the environment’s health. This council provides many opportunities for at-home activism through its online Activist Network.
One of the best ways to get involved in environmental action is by educating yourself, and the good news is that the Activist Network features all kinds of resources to educate and inspire. Make one of your Christmas volunteer opportunities an effort to become more environmentally conscious.
3. Proofread Free E-Books
Did you know that there is an extensive collection of public domain e-books available to download for anyone with internet access? However, not all of these e-books have adequate proofreading. If you love to read, volunteer online with Distributed Proofreaders to help make more books publicly available.
4. Sew or Knit Goodies for Shelter Pets
What if you could make an animal shelter resident’s holiday season brighter? If you enjoy knitting or sewing, check out this guide to DIY donations from the Anti-Cruelty Society. On this list, you’ll find all kinds of simple items, including beds, toys, blankets, and more. Your contribution could make a massive difference for a pet spending their Christmas season in the animal shelter. If you’re a first-time crafter, you can find easy-to-follow tutorials for many items on the list!
5. Write Greeting Cards
The holiday season isn’t a joyous time for everyone. For those who have lost loved ones or aren’t able to visit them during this time, the holidays can be very lonely and stressful. For some, a little human connection can go a long way to making this time of year less difficult. Volunteer some time for those struggling in your community by writing greeting cards to express how much you think about them. You could write to displaced youth, people experiencing homelessness, or even people you know personally who could use some lifting up.
6. Put Together Care Packages
The best Christmas volunteer opportunities are the ones that uplift and benefit those who need help during the holiday season. If you’re volunteering from home, one easy way to reach out to your community and make a difference is by creating care packages.
The first step is to choose who your care package is for and craft it based on those guidelines. For example, if you want to create care packages for families with young children, include necessities like diapers, baby food, and kids’ toiletries. You can even collect extra canned goods in your home and assemble them into a care package.
Join a Welcoming Community at Vineyard Senior Living
At Vineyard Senior Living, residents enjoy a sense of closeness and community all year round—not just during the holidays. Learn what the Vineyard lifestyle is all about by visiting us online today.