3 Ways to Help During the Holidays
By Cathleen | November 13, 2009
Many of our members are looking for volunteer activities to do together with their families during the holiday season. It is a time of year when we celebrate our thanks and when people have some time to give to others who need help. One would think this would be a straightforward need to address, but it isn’t so easy. Organizations are inundated with people wanting to help them, on-site volunteer opportunities are not unlimited and many of these are not suitable for small children or a family group. What to do?
Below is a short list of things you can do with your family to meet needs in our community. These activities either support organizations the Giving Circle has worked with in the past or are events many of us have been involved with on our own. It is by no means a complete list. If you know of other community service events or activities, especially those suitable for families, hit the comment link and let us all know!
Collect food to help the Lazarus Ministry at Christ Church provide Thanksgiving Dinner to 100 needy families in Alexandria. Poor Roberts Charities is donating the turkeys; Lazarus Ministry is seeking donations of non-perishable food items for the dinners such as canned vegetables and fruit (cranberry sauce),chicken broth, boxed potatoes, stuffing, cake or brownie mixes and cookies. Please drop your donations off by Friday, November 20th at the home of Kathy Barsness, 309 Mansion Drive, Alexandria, VA.
Participate in Fannie Mae’s 22nd annual Help the Homeless walkathon on November 21. Last year, the program raised $5.6 million to benefit 164 Washington metro area homeless service providers. Register or volunteer online at www.helpthehomelessdc.org.
Participate in the Department of Human Service’s Holiday Sharing program to make a real and immediate difference in the life of someone right here in Alexandria. Through this program, sponsor a low income family, senior or disabled citizen, or foster child with gifts of needed clothing, grocery store gift certificates and toys for the children. Sign up online as a donor or a volunteer. This program is getting rave reviews on the Old Town Moms list Right Now.
