The holidays tend to bring out volunteers in droves, providing others with a decent meal and warm clothes during a time when excess intertwines with the concept of gratitude for what we already have. And while helping out during November and December does so much for so many, you may want to continue your volunteer work beyond the holidays.
- Keep your efforts going. The bottom line: Soup kitchens and charities have year-round needs, and after the crush of enthusiastic holiday spirit, many volunteers disappear, leaving far fewer people in place to keep things running. So if you helped out at your local homeless shelter over Thanksgiving, ask what you can do for the rest of the year. Hunger and homelessness are realities 365 days a year. Shelters need people to help coordinate behind the scenes, organize clothing drives, prepare meals, donate for child care…. January could be a great time to plan your committed help through the entire year.
- Plan a volunteering vacation. When you make plans for your next getaway, you may want to consider making it an act of volunteering. Whether you have the time and resources to help in another country or want to do something closer to home through a program such as Habitat for Humanity, taking a chunk of your time to help others can really make a difference. Plus they honestly tend to cost less than a resort vacation, and you’re helping a community that truly needs it.
- Remember the old and the young. Considering the fact the baby boomer generation, one of the largest in our history, has begun to move into assisted living facilities, these residents still need attention and stimulation. Check in your area to see if any of your elder communities could use some help; or look into a local Meals on Wheels for those people who can’t make it out of their homes to get proper food. And look into after-school programs, Big Brother-Big Sister, or anywhere in your community that takes care of children … volunteers are always needed!
After the holidays, when everything slows down, your volunteer work is still needed and appreciated. Find what works for you and make your giving back a year-round occurrence. For more tips, read our related blog posts or reach out to our experienced staffing team today at Medical Professionals!
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