Give! Give! Give! this Holiday Season - Give the Gift of Volunteerism

Volunteering this holiday season can bring about some indescribable gifts back to us.  Most often when we think of volunteering or doing philanthropic endeavors we think we are changing the lives of those people in need.  Which in the big picture, we are and that's the whole beautiful point of doing this selfless work, but what we often fail to see is that...it is they who give us the greatest gifts.  


The Gift of Perspective 'Are our lives really that difficult?'  The Gift of their Smile which can disarm our guarded hearts.  The Gift of their Laughter that we feel as warmth in center of our chests...our soul.  The Gift of their Hug that makes us feel helpless and empowered all at the same time.  The Gift of their Gratitude, how their eyes say thank you without a single word being spoken.  There is no greater gift than being someone's philanthropic angel. 

Don't know how to get started? Or who is taking volunteers?  
Well let me tell you!

Big Sunday 
Volunteer Calendar (Los Angeles)

Big Sunday has made it an easy one stop shop volunteer calendar. Scroll down on page to find out who is organizing events and accepting volunteers. http://www.bigsunday.org/get-involved/holiday-list-2011

Great volunteer ideas for those who don't live in LA or even if you do!

- Donate blankets to a pet shelter for the cold winter months
- Volunteer at your local senior citizens center or nursing home
- Organize a clothing drive at your church and donate it to a woman's shelter
- Sever food at your local homeless/skid row shelter
- Drop off a toy at your local Toys for Tots donation center
- Contribute food to your local food drive
- Assemble your own brown bag lunches with toiletry items and pass out to the homeless who ask for money at the street corners or businesses you frequent

Here is what I did

Roy was a bright spot on my day. His fun and cheerful spirit is apparent by his holiday decoration

Culver City Senior Center Annual Holiday Party

I volunteered at the Culver City Senior Center Annual Holiday Party for the disabled elderly.  For four fun hours I got to blow up balloons, serve food and drinks, escort blind women to the restroom and mingle with the magnificent party goers and fellow volunteers.  I was full of holiday spirit and I was simply soaring with glee.

Now go out there and put yourself of this list!

Happy Holidays Everyone! And many thanks for being a fan of my blog.