The following list, from Second Harvest, is filled with great ideas to help you stay in the spirit of giving all year long:
January--Clothing Drive. Clean out your closets to make room for your new holiday presents.
February--Happy Valentine's Day! Bake and individually wrap cookies (your favorite recipe) to give out to children during clinic hours.
March--Baby Shower. Prepare baby baskets for mothers-to-be. Collect much-needed diapers, wipes, bottles, nipples, pacifiers, receiving blankets, etc.
April--Spring into Spirit! Prepare Easter baskets for children in need.
May--Plastic Bag Drive. Save your used plastic bags and collect extras from the grocery store all month long.
June--Summertime! Pack picnic lunches for the homeless (peanut butter sandwiches, chips, cookies, non-refrigerated drinks, etc.)
July--Happy Birthday America! Prepare birthday baskets for needy children by collecting items like pinatas, tablecloths, party favors, utensils, paper products, hats, etc.
August--Back to School Days. Collect and fill backpacks with school supplies such as notebooks, highlighters, markers, pens, pencils, paper, glue, scissors, and rulers.
September--Traveling? Collect your hotel-size shampoos, conditioners, razors, shaving creams, mouthwashes, and washcloths and place them in new pairs of socks -- tie them up with identifying blue or pink ribbons to distribute as hygiene kits for the homeless.
October--Trick or Treat! Collect candy and nutritious snacks in decorated goody bags to distribute on Halloween.
November--Happy Thanksgiving. Give thanks by holding a canned food drive to supplement Thanksgiving meals for those in need.
December--Adopt a Family! Collect and distribute food, toys, and gifts for an entire family.
Additional Resources
For more information and ideas on how to volunteer in your community, please contact:
Points of Light or (800) VOLUNTEER
