26 Compassionate and Kind Things to Do This Year
From different status and Facebook posts to the music on the radio, November signifies a very important time in our country and its culture. No matter whom you feel is responsible for “discovering” America, what football team you root for, or if you prefer your turkey slow-roasted or deep-fried, we can still all agree on one thing this November, it definitely is a time to Give Thanks. We are so blessed throughout the year, and, while we should ensure that we are thankful and grateful throughout the year as well, sometimes it is nice to have a month set aside to share our gratitude with others.
There are plenty of organizations around the country that are committed to helping people in need, but that shouldn't stop you from lending a helping hand this holiday season. You don't have to volunteer every waking hour or donate your retirement savings to a charity in order to give back. Even the smallest deeds, such as visiting a lonely senior citizen on Christmas Day or cooking a meal for a needy family, goes a long way. Here are “26 Kind and Compassionate Acts To Do This Year.”
1. Volunteer: Volunteering is one of the single greatest things you can do this holiday season and the rest of the year. No matter what you volunteer your time and efforts toward, volunteering is a selfless act that betters the community and brings joy to all players involved. Find local volunteer opportunities here.
2. Donate: Donating is another generous and compassionate act that you can participate in this holiday season. Donating is easy to do and it makes a big difference. You can donate money to a charity, donate clothes to a homeless shelter, or donate food or toys to needy families this holiday season.
(Yappy Hour Silent Auction held each year at the Mercantile for the Pulaski County Humane Society)
3. Fundraising: Fundraising is another way to help others this holiday season. Fundraising is the key to raising big bucks for organizations and raising awareness for cause that matters to you.
4. Adopt a family for the holidays: Give a family in need a Christmas they'll never forget by participating in an adopt-a-family program this holiday season. For each family you adopt, you'll supply them with food certificates and toys for the children, as well as clothing or hygiene products for older kids and adults.
5. Cook a meal for others: Treat a family to a home-cooked meal this holiday season. It will mean the world to a family to have a hot meal on a cold winter night.
6. Pay it forward: Make someone's day by paying for their order in a drive-through line or at a restaurant. They may not get a chance to thank you, but you can be assured they'll be elated by the thoughtful gesture.
(Santa at the Merc’s annual Holiday Homecoming)
7. Play Santa Claus: Instead of exchanging gifts with family and friends this holiday season, play Santa Claus by giving and not receiving. It might test your envy limits, but it will be totally worth it when you see how happy they are.
8. Listen: Taking the time to listen to a coworker who's having a bad day or a complete stranger who needs to vent will be much appreciated. Not interjecting with advice or sharing your opinion can be hard to do at times, but simply listening is much easier and just as effective.
9. Give blood: Donating blood is one of the single most selfless things you can do for others this holiday season and the rest of the year. Just one pint of blood can save up to three lives. Not everyone is eligible to give blood, so check with your local blood center to see if you can give this generous gift.
10. Help for free: Help a neighbor put up their Christmas lights, assist an elderly person when crossing the street or carry a stranger's grocery bags to their car, all for free. These simple acts of kindness go a long way and will be much appreciated.
11. Adopt a pet: Give a dog or cat a home this holiday season by adopting them from a shelter or rescue service. You'll get satisfaction from having a new cuddly companion, and your pet will have a second chance at life. Everyone wins here.
12. Give away something important to you: When it comes down to it, you'd be just fine without your GPS device, iPhone or fancy leather jacket. A true test of generosity is to give away things that are important to you and enjoy what you already have. You can even sell your items and donate the money to a needy family or charity.
13. Participate in a food drive: Food drives of all kinds help feed families in your community during the holidays. Whether you donate canned goods, produce, turkey gift certificates, or sweets, food drives are effective at feeding the hungry. Food drives need your donations, as well as volunteers to help organize the event and deliver food to families.
14. Write letters of appreciation: This holiday season, take the time to write letters of appreciation to people you truly appreciate. Think about the, postal service workers, maintenance workers and even your favorite barista, who all make a difference in your day.
15. Babysit for free: It can be very difficult to find a babysitter during the holidays, when parents have shopping, holiday parties, and events to attend. Make things easier for a family with young children by offering to babysit for free this holiday season.
16. Serve food to the homeless: Serving food to the homeless is a kind thing to do during the holidays. It will make a homeless person's day to have a hot meal during the frigid winter months, especially when you serve them with a big smile.
17. Send gifts to the troops: Send some holiday cheer to the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan this season. Whether you put together a care package filled with holiday goodies or ship a small Christmas tree, your generous gift will make their holidays a little bit brighter.
18. Cover someone's holiday shift: Working during the holidays is a drag and it keeps people from spending quality time with their loved ones. This holiday season, why not cover the shift of a coworker who needs to see his or her family? Your time is just as precious as the next person's, but it's certainly a sacrifice that won't be forgotten.
19. Invite a loner to your house: Too often people celebrate the holidays alone. This year, why not invite a coworker or neighbor who has no one to celebrate with to your home for the holidays? Your selfless invitation will mean the world to that person.
20. Visit a nursing home: Nursing homes can be sad places during the holidays. Some residents never have visitors and often spend the holidays alone. You can make these senior citizens feel loved by visiting them during the holidays, sending them cards or gifts, and simply calling them on the phone.
21. Bake cookies or casseroles. Cooking with kids isn’t the most mess-free option, but this is a really easy way to involve your kids in giving back with their time. As a family, pass out homemade cookies to your local fire department or police station, or take some frozen casseroles to an elderly neighbor or single mom.
22. Pack stockings for homeless people. Buy some cheap stockings, and have kids pick out practical and fun items to stuff in them. Some ideas include granola bars, water bottles, toothpaste and warm gloves or socks. Keep the stockings in your car, and hand them out to homeless people you encounter on your daily commutes.
23. Clean out the toy box. The holidays are a great time for kids to donate some of the games, clothing, or other things they own – and clean out some clutter while you’re at it. Even preschoolers can pick a few lightly-used toys to donate to kids who don’t have any. As an alternative, take kids shopping for new toys they’d love, but will donate to a local shelter or nonprofit.
24. Take lunches to people who work over the holidays. Police stations, fire stations,hospitals and even retail stores are full of busy workers on holidays. Make some delicious sack lunches to take to the workers in your area who don’t get a break over the holidays.
25. Host a party. Sometimes hospitality is the best way to give back. Host a holiday party with your kids’ help, but focus on inviting those who are often forgotten, such as the new kids at school or neighbors and co-workers with no family nearby.
26. Tackle a bigger cause. Older kids are especially sensitive to the world’s injustices. Talk with your kids about problems – whether local or worldwide – that they’re passionate about. Then, do some research about the issue to find practical ways to help. Assist your kids in sponsoring a bigger fundraising event to help tackle this issue.
If you want to raise compassionate, kind and generous children, then the best way to teach them that is at home. Through participating in events and being involved in actions that are not related to shopping or furthering a “Me-centric” lifestyle, you can show your children how important it is to help others. Being concerned about what others are going through all over the world gives us a better global view of our current situation and will help to instill a lifetime of compassion, empathy, and kindness in our children and ourselves. The holidays are a busy time for all of us, and by taking time out of the season to serve others together, you’ll teach your kids an invaluable lesson.
