Giving Back over the Holidays

• December 15, 2021

  Posted by: Dawn Bourbonnais

  

  How to Get Involved and Give Back over the Holidays

  We will be closed from December 24 to January 4 but before we take a break, we'd like to leave you with our annual list of how to get involved and give back this time of year.

  1. Ask a neighbour if you can help them this season by performing chores or errands.
  2. Drop off thank you cards or treats for staff and volunteers at non-profits, charities and community centres in your neighbourhood.
  3. Age and Opportunity is looking for volunteers for its Connect Program. As a volunteer, you'll reach out to isolated seniors and help reduce their feelings of loneliness. You can also be a Santa to a Senior, and deliver gifts to older adults who might not otherwise receive a gift over the holidays.
  4. Donate your time to the Christmas Cheer Board or Harvest Manitoba and help those in need over the holidays. Outside of Winnipeg, you can support the Winkler and District Christmas Cheer Board or the Steinbach Community Christmas Drive is looking for volunteer help and donations. The Salvation Army is once again running their Toy Mountain campaign leading up to the holidays - help make the holidays special by donating a toy for a child in need.
  5. Give the gift of life by donating blood and/or sign up to be an organ donor.
  6. Want to support our furry friends over the holidays? The Thompson Humane Society needs help and/or supplies. You can also drop off pet supplies and food to the Winnipeg Humane Society, Manitoba Underdogs Rescue, or D'Arcys ARC (animal rescue centre).
  7. Make a care kit for people in need, with items like socks, deodorant, mittens, feminine hygiene products and snacks. Donate them to any of the following: 1Just City, Siloam Mission, Ndinawe/Tina's Safe Haven, Main Street Project and in Brandon, MB, Samaritan House Ministries and the John Howard Society of Brandon. (Check out their websites first, or call to find out what items are most needed!)
  8. You can also host a collection drive - get your friends, family, coworkers and neighbours to gather essential items and then donate them through the United Way. Or contact the following organizations to learn about how you can offer support: North End Women's Centre, RaY - Resource Assistance for Youth, Ronald McDonald House, and in Brandon, MB, the Women's Resource Centre.
  9. Donate gently used DVDs, games, and craft supplies to the Youth Resource Centre at MacDonald Youth Services or to Arts Junktion.
  10. Meals on Wheels is looking for drivers to deliver delicious and nutritious meals to clients in the community. If you have a few hours a week to spare, visit www.mealswinnipeg.com
  11. Compliment a stranger and wish them a happy holidays either in person or by leaving a note for someone to find.
  12. Sleep in Heavenly Peace is doing their Annual '50 Days of Giving' campaign again this year, from Nov 12 - Dec 31(the last 50 days of the year). You can donate directly to SHP or drop off bedding, sheets and/or pillows under the Giving Tree in the lobby of the Hotel Fort Garry.
  13. Pay it forward - buy someone else a coffee or warm drink anonymously.
  14. Share your holiday volunteering or acts of kindness on social media and encourage others to give back too! (Tag Volunteer Manitoba in your posts so we can share them!)

  
  Remember, always call or visit an organization's website before showing up with donated items or asking to volunteer.

   

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