It's the most wonderful time of the year, well for most people anyway. For some folks, the holidays bring about a lot of added stress and financial burden, which is why it's the perfect time to give back. If you're fortunate enough to have a little extra money this year, there are lots of ways that you can help those in need. If you're not in a place to give financially, there are still many ways to give back that don't cost a dime. Either way, I guarantee that giving back to others this holiday season will help you get into the spirit and remember the true reason why we celebrate.
Angel Tree
My favorite holiday giving tradition is shopping for an Angel Tree Child. For the past few years, I've chosen a child from the Salvation Army Angel Tree and shopped for the items on their wish list. It's always so exciting to read through the items on their list and add them to my buggy. I imagine their face as they see gifts wrapped under the tree with a special tag just for them. As fun as it is to be a kid again and browse the toy aisle for the perfect gift, I always add a few essentials like a toothbrush, soap, pair of socks, etc. Once I purchase all of my gifts, I box them up and take them to the local Salvation Army, where they'll go to a child in need. Being able to make a child's Christmas wishes come true is such a wonderful feeling.
Annual Christmas Drive
I'm also fortunate enough to work for a company that does so much giving year-round, but especially during the holiday season. Each year Carolina Trust donates to an annual Christmas drive organized by Fred Nesta, Founder of the IAHCC Non-Profit Organization; Michael King, CEO/Founder of King One Properties, and the Horry County Sheriff's Office. All proceeds from the drive go towards providing Christmas gifts for local children in need.
Random Cash Giveaway
We also did a random cash giveaway with WBTW News 13 Living Local Carolina and Ricky Sapp, retired NFL player and founder of The Ricky Sapp Foundation. We stopped at several unexpected places around the local area (gas stations, fast food restaurants, and the boardwalk,) where we gave out $50 cash to random people. This year has been challenging for many people, that it was really touching to bless strangers with a pleasant surprise and see their reactions. Some even said they would use the money to pay it forward and give back to others. Check out the segment below.
Red Kettle Campaign
If you're not in a position financially to donate money this holiday season, you can always donate your time. Every year growing up, my family would sign up to ring the Salvation Army bell outside of a local retailer. The shifts typically lasted just a few hours, and we would all go together. We would sing carols and take turns ringing the bell, to make the time pass. It was always so heartwarming to see the generosity of the people in my community. We even had strangers who would bring us hot chocolate to warm up while we rang.
I encourage you to give back this holiday season in whatever way that you can. I know that the holiday season can get hectic, and finding time to shop or ring a bell can seem like just another task on a never-ending to-do list. Still, if you set aside the time to give back this holiday season, there's a good chance you'll get more in return than you could've ever imagined
