Each holiday season, my family has tried to find a way to give back to our community. Even though our kids are young, they enjoy picking out their favorite items to give other kids their age when we make gift boxes. In general, the kids like to help out, even if they don’t exactly know why.
There are plenty of local opportunities to give back this holiday season, so I’ve tried to collect them all into one place to see if any may be a good fit for you and your family to volunteer together!
Family Volunteer Opportunities This Holiday Season
1. Help with the Hot Dog Ministry
The Hot Dog Ministry is downtown at The Navigation Center (18 Hanover Street) every Tuesday through Sunday at 5:00 p.m. This event was created in 2008 as a way to provide meals to those in need. Different groups (often churches) sign up to help on a regular basis, but they are always looking for volunteers to help prepare and serve food.
2. Donate Diapers or Host a Diaper Drive
Host a diaper drive or bring any extra unopened diapers to the Junior League of Charleston diaper bank. One idea is to turn your holiday party into a diaper drive, asking guests to bring an unopened pack of diapers! The Junior League has lots of resources to help you host a drive or you can drop off diapers any time.
3. Provide a Meal for Veteran Families
Cook a meal for families of veterans staying at the Fisher House downtown. The Fisher House is a safe place for families from out of town to stay while their loved ones are in the hospital. A home-cooked meal can really help them feel comforted when their loved ones are ill, and it’s a great opportunity to get kids involved in cooking.
4. Help at the Ronald McDonald House
Have the whole family help out at the Ronald McDonald House downtown in a variety of ways to help the families of children in the hospital. You can serve or sponsor a meal, donate needed items, host a fundraiser, or volunteer your time. They have a specific holiday wish list for items needed; donations are due December 14th! One simple way I get my kids involved is by collecting pop tabs and having us all take them to the drop-off bin at the Ronald McDonald house!
5. Send Cards to Troops Overseas
Have your kids make holiday cards to be mailed to troops serving overseas. This is a simple way to get them involved at home and to bring some holiday cheer to our military service members who can’t be home this season.
6. Donate a New Toy
Donate a new favorite toy to Toys for Tots at one of their local drop-off centers in Charleston through December 13th. There is also an upcoming toy drive at the Dragon Boat Charleston race on December 7th from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at 185 Lockwood Blvd downtown. It’s fun to go shopping for a gift for others or imagine with your kids how much the child receiving the gift will enjoy it like they have. Drop off a new unwrapped toy for children aged newborn to 13 years old.
7. Get Your Older Child Involved with Charleston Youth Corp
The Charleston Youth Corp is a great opportunity for older children to get involved in service projects. Their next upcoming event, Project Linus, is December 7th from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. downtown.
8. Help Children in Foster Care
The South Carolina Youth Advocate Program (SCYAP) has several initiatives to help children in foster care in South Carolina. One initiative you can donate toward is for Christmas presents to ensure all children have a gift this year.
9. Pack Angel Tree Items
The Salvation Army has several local initiatives this holiday season to give back. One opportunity is to help pack items for the Angel Tree! You can sign up here through December 19th at the North Charleston Coliseum & Performing Arts Center or contact Salvation Army of Charleston to learn about other opportunities.
10. Donate Clothing, Etc. to Women and Children in Need
The holiday season can be especially hard for women attempting to flee abusive situations. My Sister’s House is a local organization that provides aid and assistance to women (often with children) in these scenarios. They are always looking for new or gently used items for their donation center. It could be a great opportunity to have your kids go through some of their old items (clothing, footwear, outerwear, accessories, linens, toys) to donate.
11. Clean up the Neighborhood
While the kids are out of school for break, consider getting a group of friends together to host a litter clean up in your neighborhood. The city of Charleston provides litter cleanup kits you can use. It could be a fun activity to get out of the house and leave the environment better than when you found it!
12. Foster (or Pamper) a Dog or Cat
Spread some holiday cheer to local shelter animals that are looking for homes. You can volunteer to foster a dog or cat through the holidays, take a dog out for a “pampered pup” day around town to get them out of the shelter, or donate used towels or linens to the local shelter. A local group called You Can Rescue has several opportunities you can help with or consider reaching out to your local animal shelter to learn more!
13. Add to a Little Free Library
Go through your home library to pick some books to donate to a local Little Free Library or even create your own in your front yard. This is a great way to share some of your favorites with others and clear the way for new books the kids may get from the holidays.
