Giving Back
Hopefully your family is having a blast attending some of the fun holiday events in Houston. My family is gearing up for our annual Tacky Sweater Christmas Fiesta and Four Christmases Marathon. I’ve been busy decorating the house, stalking the web for online deals, and finding the perfect Santa {real beard required} for my son to take pictures with. In all of the to-do lists, parties, and gifting it is so easy to forget what the holidays are all about – no matter what that holiday may be for your family.
The team at Houston Moms Blog wants to take a minute to be thankful for all that we have and give to those who are less fortunate and who selflessly give to others throughout the year. These are just a few ideas for your family to give back in our community. Feel free to comment below in the comments section with other ways to give back in Houston.
Organizations
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Star of Hope :: Christmas meals are already full, but you can still volunteer throughout the month of December.
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Toys for Tots :: Become a volunteer or find a toy donation drop site near you.
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Habitat for Humanity :: Looking for volunteers from December 9-13 for a project in the Galveston area. For more information and additional ways to get involved, visit their website.
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Houston Food Bank :: Various opportunities are available to volunteer at their two locations. Minimum age varies per the assignment, but some opportunities are appropriate for volunteers as young as 8.
Special Events
- The Woodlands Jingle Bell Run for Arthritis :: Volunteers needed for the December 14th run to raise money to fight arthritis.
- 35th Annual Christmas Eve Big Feast at George R. Brown Convention Center :: Volunteers needed on December 24th. Meal service will be served until roughly 5 pm; however, volunteers will be needed to assist the expected 35,000 to 40,000 people anytime between the hours of 7 am and 6 pm. Call City Wide Club of Clubs at 713.523.1640 for more information or register to volunteer online.
Donations
- Salvation Army Angel Tree :: Visit a local mall near you to choose an angel to shop for. Drop off the unwrapped gift back at the mall.
- KSBJ Giving Tree :: Find a drop location near you and browse the list of needs for the recipient families.
- Toys for Tots :: Find a toy drop site near you or make a monetary donation.
- Ask your local church or school about participation in their programs.
Extras
- Drop a meal or holiday treat off at your local fire or police station.
- Take goodie bags to a local nursing home, CPS, or women’s shelter.
- Have a toy drive in your own home. Take gently, but now unused toys to a local charity or orphanage.
{HMB contributor Jenn and family decorated bags to fill with treats for a local CPS facility.}
For some ideas on gifts that give back this holiday season, be sure to check out Kelly’s post too!
[hr] Reminder :: If you are looking for a way to stay organized and connected this holiday season and beyond, be sure to check out Living Tree. They are an amazing online platform created by parents for parents to simplify communication and coordination between all the people participating in our daily lives and our children’s development, and we are so grateful to them for sponsoring our ‘Holidays in Houston’ series. Check them out and sign up for FREE today!
FaithFULL Kids is an organization that provides meals for food-insecure families in the Fulshear/West Katy area. Students in need receive backpacks of food for weekends and extended holidays when free school lunches are unavailable. Check us out at http://www.wordserve.org/faithfull_kids or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/faithfullkids!
Thanks for sharing Chelsea. I am trying my best to make sure that I make time for service in the busyness that can be the holiday season. I still think he’s young, but as time goes hopefully it becomes a very natural part of our family.
Love, love, love this! Thanks so much for sharing some really great ideas, Chelsea!!
Love this. I think we sometimes get caught up on how we are going to give to our family and friends that we forget to give back to the community. I think it would be a nice tradition to start.