CONNECT Magazine Vol 1 - Issue 4 | Page 10

Giving Back This Holiday Season Tips for Giving Back: Donate Time Donate Toys Unused Gift Wrap Assisting Teach Donate Skill Set The holiday season can serve as a reminder to many of us that there are people out here who may not be as privileged as we are. For those who fall into those circumstances, it is a constant reminder to them and it can really bring a person down. Many of us here at CONNECT know what it is like to not afford a holiday meal, or to not have a family to share it with, or to sit by and watch everyone else give a gift when you cannot. For these rea- sons, we wanted to share some information about things that you can do to help out this holiday season. Donate Your Time Making time for other people is a simple, easy way to show them you care. Consider visiting your local shelter or church kitchen to provide and serve food for those who are hungry this holiday season. The fel- lowship that it brings is an extra bonus. Every year, my hometown has hosted a Holiday Party for underprivi- leged children in town. Families below a certain income bracket were invited to attend this party, where their children would make things like Christmas cards, foam crafts, decorate Christmas cookies, and get their faces painted and get temporary tattoos. We would then have a pizza lunch and Santa would come and surprise the kids. Based on a list of items the parents provided that the kids’ had asked for, Santa would then present the children with these gifts. The looks on their faces were priceless and it was something I always enjoyed participating in. Donate Unused Toys There are a lot of kids out there who would not have a joyous holiday if it weren’t for people like you. Consider purchasing one extra toy while you are doing your holiday shopping this year, and look for do- nation bins around town. If everyone who could would donate one toy, no kid would have to go without this season. 10