Holiday Guide: Giving Back This Holiday Season

As we gather together with family and friends this holiday season to give thanks, share memories and create priceless memories, it is also a great reminder of how much we have.

And the perfect opportunity to give back. 

Whether you are looking to give back to an organization that has helped you or make a difference to someone who may have less than you, now is the time of the year to take a step back and reflect on the ways you can share your good fortune with others. Take a look around you at the organizations that are near and dear to your heart and help out.

Give Blood
According to the American Red Cross, the need for blood is constant. Every two seconds, someone in the United States need blood, and more than 44,000 blood donations are needed every day. Less than 38 percent of the United States population is eligible to give blood. If you fall within the population that is eligible, what a wonderful gift that is. The donation itself usually takes less than 15 minutes, and the entire process is about an hour and 15 minutes. You are truly giving the gift of life if you donate blood. Learn more about area efforts from the American Red Cross serving Le Seuer, Rice and Waseca Counties.

Give Books
Libraries often have giving trees set up during the holidays. Monetary donations are used to purchase items on the library’s wish list. This helps supplement budgets often cut in the face of tough economic times. If you love to read, giving books is a wonderful way to share your love of reading with others. That one purchase may be opening up new possibilities to an endless number of people. It’s the gift that keeps on giving.

The Northfield Public Library accepts books with some conditions. 

• We do not accept old textbooks or Readers’ Condensed books
• We like books to be clean—so not moldy or really dirty.
• We consider books for additions to the collection if they are fairly recent or are good copies of standard titles we might “switch” with older copies already copies already in the collection.

Check with your school library as well for another avenue of giving. And remember, libraries often offer other ways to volunteer. 

Give Gifts
Many organizations have toy drives during the holidays to gather gifts for children who would otherwise not receive toys this year. Toys for Tots is one of those organizations. You can find a local drop point here. The Northfield Hospital & Clinics EMS is hosting a holiday drop-off Saturday, Nov. 24.

The Salvation Army often has Angel Trees during the holiday season. Operation Christmas Child allows the whole family to participate. Get the children in on the shopping as you select gifts to pack a shoebox for a child in another country. Find out more at Samaritan’s Purse.

You can also donate to the Community Action Center of Northfield.

Give Food
Food banks are always in need of money and food donations, but during the holidays, many food banks provide special holiday baskets for qualifying families. Contact the Community Action Center of Northfield for more information. The CAC is always looking for volunteers as well.

Give Money
Many of the organizations listed above also accept monetary donations. The American Red Cross is a leader in helping those in need, whether during times of natural disasters or during other challenging times. If you respect an area organization at work in your communities, find out how you can give by contacting them. 

Give Time
Volunteer at a homeless shelter or soup kitchen. Become a Big Brother or Big Sister. Offer your expertise as a 4-H leader or project leader. Deliver Meals on Wheels to people in need. Help out a neighbor in need by raking leaves. Look for opportunities at your local church. Ring a bell for the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Drive. Often what organizations need most are volunteers, someone to help with their efforts. Whether you have just an hour or can give a more permanent commitment, nonprofit organizations thrive on volunteers. You don’t have to spend money to help someone in need. Just being there is often enough.

How have you given back during the holiday season? If you know of other organizations who are looking for more help during the holidays, tell us in the comment section below.