Hifza Shaik ‘27
EE Staff Writer
The holiday season is a jolly time of year for most. It’s a time of laughter, joy, and appreciation. Here are some ways you can spread the holiday cheer:
If you are looking to donate gifts to children, you can look for an Angel Tree donation center near you. After locating a store that supports the program, you can choose a tag from the tree that they have set up. The tag usually consists of information about a child’s age, interests, and wishlist items. Then, you can purchase items off of the tag and drop them off to be sent to the child.
You can even volunteer your time at local food shelters. Many of those centers become overwhelmed with an influx of people especially while the weather gets colder and the holidays approach. By volunteering your time, you directly help programs give back to the community by helping provide more people with meals. You can help serve or pack food or sort through donations, either way you can have an impact on the community.
Another idea involves making cards for people that are spending their holidays in the hospital. A simple craft can uplift people and make their day even a little bit better. Many hospitals will gladly accept colorful and cheerful cards written for their patients. This initiative is simple, yet it can have lasting impacts on the receivers.
Our school is a great way to hear about different drives and donation programs that various clubs may be running. There are posters hung around the school bringing attention to such drives and most of the time they are also posted about on social media. Many clubs run drives for collecting food, holiday accessories, and gifts, especially around the holidays, and it’s a great way to get involved with the community.
Lastly, volunteering does not always have to be donating, sometimes it is acts of service and kindness as well. It could be as simple as smiling at a stranger or sending a supportive message to a good friend or family member. It could even be giving a compliment or giving someone a hug. Spreading holiday cheer can be very rewarding and it can have everlasting effects on the community.
Feature Photo Courtesy: iStock by Getty Images