Top Tips for Holiday Volunteering
Buying the perfect gift is one of the highlights of the holiday season. But some of the most special gifts aren’t wrapped in paper and bows—they’re the experiences you share and memories you create together.
Those memories are amplified when you know you’re contributing to a good cause. Mayo Clinic research shows that volunteering reduces stress and releases dopamine, meaning your body literally produces the chemicals that make you feel happy—holiday cheer, in other words!
Just Getting Started? We’ve Got You.
Volunteering for the first time can feel intimidating, but it doesn’t have to. There are plenty of ways to start small and make a big impact in Spokane and beyond:
- Consider your family and friends’ interests: love the outdoors? Help clean up local trails or parks. Into the arts? Volunteer at nonprofits like SparkCentral.
- Do some research: Find local nonprofits or events, like clothing drives or food banks, that you care about. Register to help, show up, and make some meaningful connections along the way!
- Help right where you live: Shovel sidewalks, run errands for neighbors, or spend time with elderly individuals in your area. Small actions can have a lasting impact.
- Volunteer with Canopy Credit Union: as a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), we support Spokane through financial coaching, volunteering, and nonprofit sponsorships. Keep an eye on our email, Instagram, and Facebook for events to get involved in.
Even small gestures outside of formal volunteering can make a big impact.
Small Acts of Kindness
Sometimes the smallest gestures leave the biggest impact. While money spent is sometimes an indicator of a meaningful gift, consider:
- Writing letters or cards for seniors, hospital patients, or military personnel. A heartfelt note can mean the world to someone.
- Checking in on neighbors who may feel isolated, especially older adults living alone. A friendly visit or phone call spreads connection and cheer.
- Offering simple favors, like babysitting for a busy parent, helping with grocery runs, or assisting with errands. What seems like a small act of kindness can make a huge difference.
- Creating care packages from items you already have at home, like gently used clothing, books, or household essentials. Regifting sometimes gets a bad reputation, but the reality is that the lightly worn sweater you never reach for or a book you loved but won’t read again could be someone else’s next favorite thing.
Even small acts like these foster a sense of belonging during such a festive time.
Share Your Skills
Your knowledge and talents are gifts that can’t be bought—but they can make a huge difference. Think about what you’re good at and how it might benefit someone else:
- Tutoring or mentoring students in subjects you excel at. Your time and guidance could boost confidence and grades.
- Helping nonprofits or small businesses with digital skills like website updates, social media, or graphic design.
- Hosting a virtual class or workshop for a community center or charity—cooking, crafts, fitness, or music are all valuable ways to share.
- Assisting with resumes, applications, or professional documents, offering someone a leg up in school or career pursuits.
Sharing your skills might seem silly, but in practice, it can empower others long after the holidays are over! And it’s something that extends to Spokane overall, helping our arts, fitness, outdoor, and culinary communities flourish!
Mentorship & Connection
Giving time through guidance and companionship is a powerful way to make an impact, and it often leaves lasting memories:
- Mentor someone who is starting a new job, learning a skill, or navigating a life change. Your experience could be their roadmap.
- Read to children at schools, libraries, or local events—sparking imagination and literacy.
- Start a pen-pal program connecting kids with seniors, or pairing isolated adults with volunteers for regular letters, calls, or video chats.
- Offer companionship to those in your community who are lonely—sometimes just being present is the most meaningful gift.
These connections create ripples of kindness that last far beyond the holiday season.
Quick, Fun Ways to Give
Making a difference doesn’t have to look like a traditional volunteer shift. Here are some quick, inspiring ideas:
- Host a clothing or toy drive for local families in need.
- Bake treats for your local fire department, shelter, or neighbors.
- Collect holiday cards for military personnel or hospital patients.
- Organize a park cleanup with friends or coworkers.
- Buy handmade or ethically sourced gifts from artisans in need.
Short, actionable ideas like these make it easy to get started and feel accomplished, no matter your schedule.
No Time? No Problem
The holidays are busy, and not everyone can dedicate hours to volunteering. Luckily, good deeds can be flexible—and even integrated into your usual seasonal traditions:
- Round-up donations: Many stores let you round up your purchase to donate to charity.
- Fundraising events: Attend charity runs, auctions, or other events—social fun and making a difference in one.
- Micro-volunteering: Help different nonprofits with bite-sized tasks that make a big difference. This can often be done virtually or with the help of apps.
With so many opportunities, you don’t need a lot of time to make an impact!
Why It Matters
Whether you have an hour, a weekend, or a skill to share, every act of giving makes a difference. Locally in Spokane or globally, your contributions—big or small—help communities grow, bring people together, and create lasting memories.
This holiday season, try one new way to give back. You might just find that the greatest gift isn’t the one you unwrap—it’s the one you share.