By: Lisa Manyon www.writeoncreative.com
Fa la la la ~ LA, LA, LAH….Lucky for you, I won’t really sing to you. I will, however, remind you to give to those less fortunate than you during the holiday season or at the very least attend fun functions that support great causes in your community.
Personally, I do a little of both. Over Thanksgiving, our family attended one of my favorite events that supports a local hospital. The weeklong event is called The Festival of Trees and offers a wide array of entertainment. We attended the Gala event as a family and it’s always so fun to watch the tree auction. Each year volunteers decorate elaborate trees with fantastic prize packages and there is an actual live auction. The bidding wars can get pretty exciting.

While it’s always nice to have an evening on the town to support a good cause, it also feels good to give to people who may not otherwise have a happy holiday. Here are some ways you can consider making a difference in your community:
- Donate toys to a local toy drive
- Purchase gifts for elderly in nursing homes
- Adopt a family with a group of friends & provide a holiday with all the trimmings
- Volunteer at a local soup kitchen
- Give to your favorite charity
- Clean out your closets and give extra coats to “Coats for Kids” or similar programs in your area
- Check with the Salvation Army or Saint Vincent DePaul in your area to see what progrmas they offer that you might be able to support
- Finally, use your imagination and add to my list
I’d love to hear about what you’re doing to make a difference. It’s easy to focus on our own lives but so rewarding to take the time to enhance another life.
Every effort makes a difference. So, when you’re sititng by the tree, mistletoe dangling over your head and a spiked eggnog in hand, don’t forget to remember those in need. Cheers!