Looking to Lend a Hand This Holiday?
Best Ways To Give Back in Tampa Bay This Holiday Season
Nothing gets us in the holiday spirit more than giving back to the community because it reminds us of what’s really important. There are so many worthy organizations around the Tampa Bay area that would appreciate volunteer contributions of time and/or donations. Here are just a few of our favorites.
Meals on Wheels. This fantastic organization delivers cards, gift bags, sweet treats and more to 650+ homebound seniors and disabled residents who will otherwise spend the Thanksgiving holiday home alone. Volunteering to be a part of the delivery crew will lift their hearts and yours. For more information about this program, please visit http://www.mowtampa.org/events/thanksgiving-day-meal-delivery/.
Donate to your favorite animal shelter! Please don’t forget all of those sweet furry friends who will spend the holidays waiting for their forever families. Keep these animals warm and snuggly in their crates with donations of towels, bedding or linens, pet food, leashes, toys, pet products and money – all sorely needed and very much appreciated. Of course, the very best gift for a cat or dog is a family of its own!
Metropolitan Ministries. One Tampa institution that always offers volunteer experiences is Metropolitan Ministries. This top-notch community outreach facility offers food, housing, clothing and employment assistance to families in need. They are known for their annual holiday toy drive underneath the big red tents! Visit this link for complete details.
Your local food bank. Many food banks, schools, churches and companies host food drive programs during this giving season. Publix and other retailers also offer easy ways to make donations right at checkout. You can add a donation amount or choose to purchase one of their pre-packaged bags of dry goods. The Salvation Army also raises money for clothing, meals, and holiday items through its famous bell ringing volunteers. Their Red Kettle Program runs from November 13th until December 24th this year.
Operation Helping Hand (OpHH). We are long-time volunteers for this amazing group and it holds a special place in our hearts. OpHH relies on donations of money, goods and services to support the active-duty military men and women who have been wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan and are being treated at James A Haley VA Hospital, along with the families who are staying with their loved ones. There is no paid staff, only volunteers who donate their time and effort. Most impressive is that 97.5% of all funds raised go directly to the patients and their families. If you are interested in volunteering or donating, please visit: http://operationhelpinghandtampa.com/about-op-hh/.
