It feels good to give doesn’t it?

I found a few things that I could do to help others and get that warm fuzzy feeling of contributing to make even a little difference… and I managed to do it without having to spend too much money (after all it is a time of shopping/spending and trying to stay away from maxing out my credit cards) or investing a lot of time (who has time in December?) and I had fun doing it.

To start, I enlisted the help of my family and we cleaned out our messy, neglected closets to fill a big bag of clothes. This went to one of the homeless shelters that also sponsors families in need. We put a monopoly game in the bag (we had three) and some gently used DVDs we had already watched a bunch of times. We thought we’d let another family enjoy them. OK, that was easy.

Next, I admit I did splurge a little on this one but my husband looks sooo handsome in a tux… like George Clooney on Oscar night. So I bought tickets to a Charity Gala that will be held on Valentine’s Day. This is a celebration of love right and for a good cause? We are already looking forward to getting dressed up and enjoying this one!

Lastly, and I particularly liked this assignment, was Operation Christmas Child. I discovered it through one of my online moms groups where I read this post – “Operation Christmas Child brings joy and hope to children in desperate situations around the world through gift-filled shoeboxes (toiletries, school supplies, small toys, hard candy). Canada sent over 600 000 boxes last year all over the world. Anyone can do it - a great way for kids to give to kids - letters and photos can be added in too.”

The thought of less fortunate kids not having a present to open on Christmas was sad so we jumped at this. You can get your kids involved, pick up a few little things and fill a shoe box for a child. We decided to do one for a little boy and one for a little girl. You’d be surprised what you can fit in a shoebox. It was fun… stocking stuffers like a coloring book, crayons, slippers, t-shirt, toothbrush, little car or soft doll. I tried to be practical buying slippers they might need and also put in a picture book and little car for our boy and a soft Dora doll for our little girl.

Hoping their eyes will light up and they will know that feeling of Christmas excitement as they unwrap a gift and open a box of goodies that they might otherwise not have had. This was the best feeling!

 

Rebecca Follows is a writer with a background in Business and Information Technology. In the past she has held management positions in both Information Technology and e-commerce.
 
While enjoying a successful career in Business and Information Technology, Rebecca decided she wanted to enjoy a more flexible lifestyle, one that would allow her more time with her family. She wanted to work and write in areas that she is passionate about and to make a difference, contributing stories that inspire, educate and encourage women in many walks of life.
 
As a journalist, fitness enthusiast and well-traveled mom, she shares her knowledge and first hand experience on I.T., fitness, family and travel.