As 2009 draws to a close, the sour economy is rushing towards a head-on collision with America’s traditional spirit of Christmas generosity.
Times are tough, and people all over the country have lost their jobs. Millions more are worried sick that they might be next.
It’s hard to feel generous when you’re stressed out about your own financial position, but the truth is that stress is probably making you forget that giving and charity aren’t solely expressed through cash. The following are some ideas on how to help others this holiday season without costing you a lot of money.
Volunteer Your Time
Volunteering your time to the charity of your choice is a great way to give back through “sweat equity.” Whether it’s the ASPCA or a homeless shelter, there are numerous charitable organizations that can always use help with their day-to-day operations.
Much of the help they need won’t be glamorous, but when you think about it, glamour doesn’t have much to do with kindness.
Clean Out Your Closets
It’s hard for most of us to imagine, but there are literally millions of people out there who lack proper clothing. At no time is this more keenly felt than in winter.
Go through all your clothes, blankets, bedding and what-not and purge the stuff you never touch. If you never use something, and someone less fortunate desperately needs it, pass it on to them.
The same applies to everything on your shelves, too, whether it’s cans of food for a food bank or cans of paint out in the garage for Habitat for Humanity or other comparable group. When you do you’re taking a little bit of suffering out of the world, and replacing it with gratitude. (Not to mention freeing up space in your closets and storage spaces.)
Put a Talent to Work by Teaching it to Someone Else
Were you a big football player in college, but haven’t touched pigskin since the day you started your career in banking? Or perhaps you’ve got a background in drawing that’s been set aside while you raised your family.
Whatever skills you might have could be shared with someone who needs to learn them. You’ll be giving back to your community in a gratifyingly personal way while at the same time getting back in touch with a part of yourself you used to love. Charity is still charity when it’s win-win.
Have a Sweet Dog? Volunteer His or Her Time, Too.
Statistics (as well as common sense) tell us that people who are sick, lonely or both are often quite comforted by the affection of a pet.
If the people need Fido, then bring Fido to the people, whether they’re senior citizens in a nursing home or patients in a hospital sick ward. If your dog is like most good dogs, then he or she will have so much love in them they don’t know quite what to do with it all. Spreading it around is the answer.
Give Yourself, Literally
Donating blood is always welcome by health organizations that desperately need it. In some cases you’re paid for it – not a whole lot, but enough to buy new winter gloves for a family that sorely needs them, or food for a mission to prepare for the hungry.
Whether you’re giving a few old clothes or 30 minutes of your time, it’s the giving that matters.
The economy has hit far and wide and more people need help now than ever. Give where you can, and pass on your gratitude.
Volunteering, donating, this is what the holidays should be about, let’s all get involved!!!