With the holiday season here, it is too often that people get caught up in focusing on the gifts they want to receive or what they should buy for others. However, it’s important to remember what it truly means to give during the holidays.
Whether it’s offering support to those in need or giving up your time to volunteer, there are so many ways to make a difference in the community and give hope and comfort to those around you this holiday season.
Writing cards for hospitalized patients
For most people, the holidays mean spending quality time with loved ones in the comfort of their homes. However, this is unfortunately not the reality for many families who spend their holidays in the hospital.
So, consider mailing some holiday cards to hospitalized children in the local community. What may seem like a small gesture can truly bring the most joy to kids that receive these cards. Opening and reading drawings, photographs, and words of encouragement can make these patients feel less alone and offer a sense of community in their lives.
There are many organizations that offer services to mail holiday cards to patients. For instance, Cards for Hospitalized Kids is an organization based in Chicago, IL, that mails holiday cards to pediatric patients all over the country. St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital even offers a website to craft a digital card to send to a patient, making it even easier to make the holidays brighter for patients.
Pembroke Pines Charter High School junior Shamini Mahendran participated in sending holiday cards to patients this year, filled with drawings and uplifting messages.
“Even though it’s such a simple thing, knowing it might make someone smile during a hard time makes it really meaningful for me,” Mahendran says.
Volunteering at local food pantries
One of the most direct ways to support the local community this season is by volunteering at a local food bank or pantry. Demand for food assistance often increases during the winter months, so food pantries regularly need extra volunteers.
By helping stock shelves, sort donations, and distribute meals to families in need, volunteers can help make a meaningful difference for those facing food insecurity during the holiday season. Many organizations accept student volunteers, making it a great opportunity to give back to the community while also receiving volunteer hours.
Feeding South Florida is a food pantry network that provides food assistance as well as other resources to families in Broward, Miami-Dade, Palm Beach, and Monroe counties. The organization relies heavily on assistance from volunteers, so students can play a huge part in helping fight hunger in the local community.
Sponsor a child’s Christmas wish list
Another meaningful way to spread holiday cheer is by sponsoring a child’s Christmas gifts. Many parents facing financial hardship often can’t afford to buy gifts for their children. Programs that allow donors to directly buy off a child’s wish list can help ease this burden for parents and ensure that children are still able to experience the joy of receiving gifts on Christmas morning.
The most common program is the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program, which helps provide gifts for hundreds of thousands of children around the country every year. After a child is accepted and registered into the program, their wishlist is shared with donors in the community, which often includes items such as toys, books, school supplies, and winter clothing.
For students, participating in the Angel Tree program offers a simple but personal way to spread holiday cheer. For instance, Charter senior Alessandra Moreno’s family makes it a tradition to adopt a child’s Christmas list every year.
“My family has always been really big on giving back during the holidays, so we’ve always done [Angel Tree] for as long as I can remember,” Moreno explains. “It’s always a fun experience picking out clothes and toys, and it makes me feel good that I’m making a difference in someone’s life.”
No matter how big or small the gesture, giving back during the holidays is a great way to leave a lasting impact on the community. These acts of kindness can bring warmth and hope to those who need it most, and it is one of the most meaningful gifts you can give this season.
