Looking For A Way To Give Back This Holiday Season? Here's How
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

Looking For A Way To Give Back This Holiday Season? Here's How

While we get ready to give thanks this week, don't forget the ways that you can give back.

34
Looking For A Way To Give Back This Holiday Season? Here's How
Briana Harden

As we approach Thanksgiving this week (also known as the First Legal Day Christmas Celebrations), it’s a great time to reflect and be grateful for all that we have in our lives, and focus a little less on all that we don’t. This uniquely American holiday is also a time when many of us start to think about how we can give back to the community and share a little love.

We all know that shopping from locally-owned businesses is a great way to support the community, but what are some other ways that you can give back to the Carroll County and Greater Atlanta communities this holiday season? Here’s a list of local charities and charity efforts you can support that might help you get onto Santa’s nice list.

1. Carroll County Animal Shelter

It’s always a great idea to support your local animal shelter, but the CCAS needs it more than most. They rescue many animals throughout the year and are often full to capacity. The shelter is in need of all forms of pet supplies—leashes, bowls, food—but monetary donations are also welcome for the shelter’s 501(c)3 called Full Circle Rescue. If you can commit, adopting a new pet for a fur-ever home is an even better way to help out; the shelter is also running their annual Toys for Tots drive, where if you bring in a toy for a child in need, the adoption fee is reduced to $60, including all vaccinations and microchipping. However, please be sure that you can commit, because Christmas is also the worst time of year for people to gift puppies only to bring them back a few days later.

2. Shop with a Cop

Nearly every local police department (to my knowledge) does some form of Shop with a Cop. For this program, police departments all over collect donations and then take children from less fortunate and underprivileged families shopping so they can have Christmas, too. Contact your local PD for more information!

3. 104.7 The Fish Christmas Wish

104.7 is a Christian radio station out of Atlanta that runs a phenomenal holiday promotion every year to help anyone in need. The radio station partners with local Chick-Fil-A restaurants to set up a kiosk where you can donate, make a wish, or grant a wish. Wishes range from someone being in need of a new washing machine to simply needing someone to mow the lawn, and in the true spirit of Christmas, each year many of these wishes are granted. For more information about where and when the Christmas Wish team will be showing up (or to make a donation) check them out on their website at http://www.thefishatlanta.com/christmaswish/.

4. Wrapped in Angel’s Wings

Wrapped in Angel’s Wings is a charity based out of Carrollton to support families that suffer the loss of an infant. They collect donated wedding gowns and pastel colored prom dresses which are used to make outfits and wraps for lost infants, which are included as part of their “memory boxes,” given to hospitals and funeral homes to help grieving families. These boxes include an angel outfit made from a donated wedding gown or formal gown, a stuffed animal, a remembrance charm, a pouch with a card to record the baby's prints, a prayer pillow, a keepsake ornament, and a reflections album. To donate a dress or make a monetary donation in honor of a lost child, check out their Facebook page and GoFundMe to help support them.

5. Your Local Soup Kitchen

While many of us are stressing over how to properly cook a turkey, impressing our in-laws, and preparing the perfect holiday feast, there are some who are struggling for their next meal, and the perfect way to help is to donate to your local soup kitchen or volunteer some time to help out. For more information on the Carroll County area soup kitchen check out their website.

These are just a few ways to give back locally, and there are many other ways that are run on a national level like Operation Christmas Child and Toys for Tots that are also fantastic organizations to support. This holiday season, even if you don't have much to share, a little time and a smile can go a long way for a gesture of goodwill. Count your blessings and pay it forward!

Happy giving! x


Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

39933
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

24489
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

950378
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

130369
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments