For many families, the winter holidays offer a chance to reflect on good fortune. The opportunity to practice gratitude is at the center of the Thanksgiving holiday, and the importance of helping others through the darker, longer days ahead is a theme that comes up again and again this time of year. Whether it’s doing a small deed for a family member or neighbor, volunteering to work at a community event to bolster a larger group, or making a donation of your time or money, the benefits of helping others are numerous.
Children who help others through volunteering or donating not only help to improve the communities they live in, they also learn empathy, build social and professional skills, practice leadership, improve mental health and even start to determine career goals. We all know that this time of year can be difficult for so many people, so why not dedicate some time to helping others as a family?
You don’t necessarily need to be part of a large service community to find ways to help others. Consider looking around your neighborhood first. Can your family pick up litter? What about raking leaves (or shoveling snow) for a neighbor? If you know a neighbor who would benefit, offer to collect groceries or drop off a meal. Teach your children that kindness can come from small acts right at home.
If you are looking to make an anonymous impact, look no further than your daily commute. You probably already see numerous micropantries, little free libraries and clothing donation boxes as you drive around town. Ask your kids what donation opportunities they know of in their communities, and if they aren’t sure, hop in the car and take note. Then, pick a day to ask your children to help you gather donations (tip: this can be as simple as ordering groceries ahead of time for pick up), and drive around town filling free pantries and donation boxes.
Kids of all ages can understand the needs of other kids. One specific way to help kids in the community this season is through supporting Laurel United Methodist Church’s Diaper Depot. The Diaper Depot’s goal is to give away a pack of diapers and wipes once a month to anyone in need. The Diaper Depot accepts wipes, pull-ups and training pants (in any size), Target gift cards, monetary donations and gently used children’s books. All items may be dropped off at Laurel United Methodist Church, 631 S. Grand Ave. West, between 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Another opportunity for kids to give back to other kids during the holiday season is the Toys for Tots Drive, hosted by the Leland Grove Police Department. Older elementary-age children or teenagers may find it satisfying and enjoyable to shop for kids in the community and drop off new, unwrapped toys to the donation bin at 2000 Chatham Road on Saturday, Dec. 15, between 12-4 p.m.
Lastly, consider free ways to help and spread cheer to others. Not all helping efforts need to cost money. If you have an artsy or creative family, you might consider making holiday cards for under-recognized community helpers such as postal workers, librarians, custodians or crossing guards, or for area senior living facilities or hospitalized children. One Illinois nonprofit organization, Cards for Hospitalized Kids, accepts handmade cards which it then distributes to children in the hospital. CFHK accepts cards year-round, but asks that you please send any holiday-themed cards at least two weeks ahead of the holiday so it has time to get cards into the hands of kids. You can find more information online and mail cards to: Cards for Hospitalized Kids at 7290 W. Devon Ave., Chicago, IL 60631.
Pamela Savage is a freelance writer in Springfield who wishes you and yours a great start to the holiday season.
This article appears in Winter 2024 November 2024.
