Get into the spirit of the season by giving back to those around you. Through volunteering to donate your time to local charity organizations, you can warm up the winter months and gain a good feeling!
There are plenty of opportunities for you to reach out, make an impact and enjoy yourself at the same time. Many organizations within the local community rely on volunteer
s in order to keep things going smoothly, so even small increments of time, like once a month or an hour a day, can make a huge difference; no amount of time is too little! Volunteering can be as easy as spending a few moments of your time making a new friend, sharing your talents or performing simple tasks. Volunteering is also a great way for families to spend time together, and can be a valuable learning experience for kids.
Many nationwide non-profit and charity organizations have been recognized for their contributions thanks to the efforts and good deeds of individual volunteers, who together are the core of these invaluable programs. Here are just a few of the groups you may want to get involved with to help make a difference:
If you want to share your abilities, your passions and your time working toward the greater good of people throughout your area, the United Way is one of the best ways to go. This diverse organization works with local groups to supply advocacy, education, health and other programs to people throughout the community. Share your expertise, your experience and your willingness to help others achieve their potentials and gain access to valuable services. The time you spend will benefit everyone. For more information, go to http://www1.unitedway.ca/sites/portalen/find.aspx
You’ll see the difference you can make simply by being a caring friend to a child or teen when you volunteer with the Big Brother Big Sister Program. This group has forged friendships between children and adult volunteers for over 100 years! Volunteers fulfill the positive role of “big brother” or “big sister” to a child between the ages of six and 18. An hour or two of your time spent playing games, chatting and having fun can help create the path to a strong future in a young person’s life. For details, visit http://www.bbbsc.ca/defaultlanguage.asp
Can you swing a hammer? Habitat for Humanity is an international program that focuses on providing a very basic necessity – a place to call home. Habitat for Humanity, with the generous help of volunteers, builds simple, affordable houses that give families safety and security. They combat homelessness and poor living conditions, making a better life for those in need. For more information on how you can help, visit http://www.habitat.ca/
To narrow your search, match-up organizations can help you find a suitable volunteering position based on what you would most enjoy doing and what population you would like to serve. Go online and find organizations in your area that are looking for volunteers. There are websites based on your geographic location that provide online databases of non-profit organizations seeking people to volunteer in your area. Some of these sites allow you to search by location and area of interest, and give a brief description of each organization.
If you're not sure where to start, talk to friends and family and see if they volunteer. You can always visit local churches, food banks, shelters, and blood banks. These community organizations are excellent places to start - especially around the holidays.
When it comes to volunteering, even a little means a lot. Seek out opportunities to help in your community!
