News
Each Thanksgiving our family, like many others, takes a moment when we go around the table and say what we’re thankful for. This year, we decided to turn up the dial on that tradition and give thanks with actions as well as words. But how do you decide the best way to help out? The good news is, there are as many ways to do good as you can imagine. To get you started, here are seven real organizations that could use your help.
- MEAL MANIA harnesses teams of any age to pack meals for undernourished kids and families. They’re just one of hundreds of organization feeding the hungry in the holidays and beyond.
- CLOTHES TO KIDS of Denver provides free school clothing to low-income or in-crisis families, and Thanksgiving is the season for Coat Drives around the country, helping to provide warm clothes for homeless and impoverished people of all ages.
- THE CAT NETWORK feeds, cleans and finds homes for homeless felines in the south Florida area. If you love animals but live in another part of the country, check out your local zoo or Humane Society.
- START A COMMUNITY GARDEN—now is the time to plant the seeds that will blossom next spring. Community gardens create green spaces that offer beauty, produce, and improve air quality.
- INNER CITY TENNIS volunteers use sports to teach kids teamwork, responsibility, and perseverance. Tennis not your racquet? You can find teaching and coaching opportunities for almost any activity that matches your interests, from sailing to cybernetics.
- CHANGE A LIGHT BULB, fold the laundry, unpack groceries, or just help out. Elderly, disabled or people with limited mobility can use a helping hand, and organizations like Little Brothers – Friends of the Elderly can connect you with someone in your area.
- DON’T WAIT FOR THANKSGIVING! And don’t stop afterward. People and causes need help all year long, so don’t let giving back be an occasion; make it a habit!
To help you find an activity that matches your age, location, and interests, check out websites like VolunteerMatch.org, CreateTheGood.org, and this one, KidsThatDoGood.com.
