There are so many ways to help better ourselves and our communities yet sometimes we have a hard time finding our perfect fit. What pulls at my heartstrings and makes me want to donate time and energy, may not be what drives you! Yet you should not let that stop you from finding a way to share your light with the world around us.
Lots of people want to spend their Thanksgiving donating time by preparing meals for those less fortunate. As much as this is on your mind, this time of year, these food shelves, homeless shelters, and community meal kitchens also need help the rest of the year.
So, when you are thinking of donating your time to these humanitarian causes on the holiday, please open your mind to the immense need beyond Christmas and Thanksgiving Day. There are 350 other days in the year in which your help is very much needed and appreciated!
The food shelf donations and volunteering – You can volunteer to sort and expedite at your local food shelf. All you need to do is call! You can also ask your friends and family to organize donation sites at work, school, church or other regular gathering spots! Did you know you can donate more than food, they will also accept nonperishables like diapers and toilet paper too. You can also always donate cash. Did you know that they can usually purchase more with your dollar than you can?
Diaper Drive – Speaking of diapers, there is a huge need at women’s shelters and food shelves. Diapers are expensive and often in high demand. Consider expanding your donations beyond food.
Tent City or Homeless shelter donations – More and more we see the homeless population growing around us. Mercy comes from regular folks like you and I, who expand our compassion by serving those less fortunate. We could take it upon ourselves to ask our friends, family or work for donations of water, hot food, blankets, winter jackets, boots, hats, gloves, socks, toothpaste and brushes etc… put these together in mercy baskets, then drive and deliver the goods to the souls in tent city to help them survive the winter in tents.
Not by these any of these sites? You can always dig around and use your detective skills to see if you have an invisible homeless population in your hometown. I am a big believer in supporting my local community. Often Churches take donations for homeless or low-income individuals in small town areas. All you must do is inquire and help.
Animal Rescue – there are so many great animal rescue organizations popping up all over the place. Lots of them have found that keeping pets in a foster home, where they are treated like a part of the family, has the best outcome for the health and demeanor of the pet. When the pet feels cared for, instead of locked in a cage, they act completely different and are more likely to be adopted into their forever home. Consider donating dishes, food, collars, toys and maybe even open your home to a pet in need. I have found fostering dogs has been a heart opening experience that changed me for the better. Animal shelters need volunteers and money too, I choose to support no-kill shelters.
Money – donations are always greatly appreciated. If you don’t have time or energy, you can still help by donating your dollars to those causes that are near and dear to your heart.
I like to donate to www.savetheboundarywaters.org and www.ruffstartrescue.org. Both organizations that I feel deeply passionate about.
Environmental Help – I would also like to support organizations that are helping families, firemen, animals and other victims of the California fires. I found this article interesting, so I will share the link.
Do your research on who you want to donate to. Make sure they are reputable and responsible with your dollars, so you can be proud of your donation. There are many other options such as driving for Meals on Wheels and donating blood or plasma.
As a final point, I also believe that random acts of kindness are still a thing! Share your light as often as you can and watch how others do the same.
We are blessed to be here on this beautiful planet with plenty to be thankful for. I hope this has helped bring some ideas for you to share your light! I’m thankful for you, and I believe in you.
Namaste!
Wishing you an abundance of joy and blessings, this holiday and throughout the year!
With love,
Emy Minzel ~ Adventure Sister
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Stacy Crep ~ Adventure Sister
Emy Minzel 