50 Ways to Give on Giving Tuesday
Giving Tuesday
By Anna Hessel with Wes Hessel
It’s Giving Tuesday – time to donate funds to organizations that we support, but also find ways of giving of ourselves and our time. Here are some unique ideas for ways to give back to the community:
- Take a plate of food, cookies, or a card to an elderly or disabled neighbor
- Drop some magazines or books at a local hospital for their waiting areas
- Offer to babysit so someone can holiday shop or run errands
- Watch the person a caregiver takes care of so they can get out for errands or have a little me time
- Drop a few dollars or spare change in a red kettle
- Call a friend or relative just to say hello
- Rake someone’s leaves
- Mow someone’s lawn
- Shovel someone’s drive or walkway
- Make some calls for your favorite political candidate(s)
- Start a postcard campaign for your favorite political organization
- Begin a petition to right a wrong
- Run for a local political office
- Mail cards to our service men and women
- Volunteer at a local animal shelter or your library
- Don’t forget Toys for Tots with a new unwrapped toy – every child deserves a toy for Christmas or Hanukkah
- Offer a ride to a neighbor that does not have access to a car or can’t drive
- Decorate an outdoor tree for Christmas
- Add some sparkle to someone’s day with a small gift just because
- Organize a sled race or set up a hot chocolate stand for charity
- Run an errand for someone
- Pay it forward in the drive-through (or inside line)
- Pull a child in a sled or throw a ball for them to catch
- Build a snowman with someone
- Use your expertise, be it professional or hobby, to benefit someone: a free haircut, manicure, house cleaning, legal advice
- Pass out free hug coupons, cookies, or homemade fudge in your office or neighborhood
- Freecycle or Trash Nothing something
- Foster or adopt a rescue animal
- Play fetch with a neighbor’s dog or catch with a neighbor kid
- Set up a feral cat box on your porch with hay, fresh water, and a small bowl of food
- Make homemade cards or tree ornaments to pass out
- Take an angel off the giving tree and buy a gift to brighten someone’s holiday
- Give someone a smile – it’s always free, and it might just make their day
- Make a nice lunch or dinner to surprise somebody
- Donate to a good pantry or little library
- Make time for loved ones, like coffee or a spa day together
- Take time for yourself because you can’t help anyone if you aren’t well yourself
- Post something cute on social media to brighten someone’s day
- Order a meal delivery for a friend as a surprise (just make sure someone is there to accept the delivery)
- Tip generously
- Help a neighbor decorate for the holidays
- Offer to do someone’s shopping, laundry, house cleaning, or cooking
- Drop flowers off at a retirement community or hospital
- Donate pet food to an animal shelter – they can use older towels and blankets, too
- Send thank you notes to first responders or government employees
- Volunteer as a court advocate
- Share someone’s good work on social media
- Take a minute to talk to a business’ manger or owner to complement an employee
- Make time to really listen to someone who needs a shoulder to cry on
- Be sure to thank those selfless community volunteers whenever you can