31 Days of Giving

‘Tis the season for giving! During the holidays, it’s easy to get caught up in the gifts, decorations and parties. It’s important to take a step back from all the celebrations to see what you can do to give back. We’ve come up with 31 ways you can give back to your community – one for each day of December.

1. Help a neighbor with their holiday decorations.
2. Volunteer at your child’s school.
3. Sponsor a less fortunate child and give them a gift.
4. Donate a gift from UMass Memorial Children’s Medical Center gift registry.
5. Put your change in a jar and choose a place to donate it at the end of the month.
6. Bake food and donate it to a shelter. Or purchase needed supplies to donate.
7. Help your neighbor shovel after a storm.
8. Call your local senior center to see if your furry friend can pay the residents a visit.
9. Make bird feeders to hang outside.
10. Offer to watch someone’s pets while they’re gone.
11. Volunteer your time at your place of worship.
12. Donate to Toys for Tots.
13. Have a skill or hobby? Share it.
14. Practice random acts of kindness.
15. Volunteer at an animal shelter.
16. Write a holiday card to your mailman.
17. Create a Little Free Library in your neighborhood to enrich your community.
18. Visit a nursing home and play games.
19. Donate your gently used clothes.
20. Donate to UMass Memorial Health.
21. Support a small business.
22. Offer to pay someone’s bill next time you’re buying coffee.
23. Help a neighbor with their holiday decorations.
24. Sell unwanted items; donate money to charity.
25. See if your local school has a wish list of supplies they need.
26. Call a family member or friend you haven’t spoken with in a long time.
27. Feed your local fire station or police officers by bringing them some baked goods.
28. Volunteer your time at UMass Memorial Medical Center.
29. Bake cookies and share with co-workers.
30. Give a stranger a compliment.
31. Don’t stop giving after the holidays pass.