On December 4, we participated in Realtor Ring Day as our agents rang bells at local businesses to help raise money for The Salvation Army. That got us thinking. What else can we do in the community during the holidays to make a difference and help those in need?
The holidays can be an exciting time filled with wonder and joy, but can also be a difficult season for many. While we cannot claim to have the solution for redeeming this tough time, we can certainly aim to help in small ways and make a difference in individual lives within our community.
There are so many volunteer opportunities in Omaha. In fact, you can search for an opportunity in the Omaha area that might fit your interests and schedule, but if you need specific ideas of ways to help during the holidays, read on.
Volunteer at a local homeless shelter.
While we are a real estate company in the business of buying and selling homes, it would be heartless for us to ignore those who do not have a place to call home. Many of them live in or visit shelters, which provide a safe and warm environment during the colder months of winter. This increase in occupancy and decrease in temperature this time of year means there is a greater need for volunteers to help serve at these shelters. So consider picking out one of these organizations, giving your time, and offering a smiling face and willing hands during the holidays. Might we suggest Stephen Center, MOHM’s Place, Siena/Francis House or Open Door Mission?
Open Door Mission provides specific ways to give back this holiday season. Consider purchasing new toys for Project Santa to brighten up a little girl or boy’s Christmas, or give a Christmas gift to hurting adults who need to know that someone cares. Or address specific needs that Open Door has by shopping on their Amazon wish list; whatever you purchase will be shipped directly to their facility.
Ice skate at the ConAgra Foods Rink.
Who knew ice skating could do so much good for the community? Our friends at the ConAgra Foods Ice Skating Rink are shedding some light on hunger this year. All proceeds from the rink will be donated to Food Bank for the Heartland, an Omaha-based nonprofit that distributes 5 to 7 million pounds of food and household products to families in Nebraska and southwest Iowa each year.
Additionally, skaters are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items and household goods to donate in collection bins scattered around the rink. Their “Shine the Light on Hunger” campaign is running throughout the duration of their skating season, which ends on January 3. Visit the ConAgra Foods rink Sundays through Thursday from 1 to 10 p.m., and Fridays and Saturdays from 1 p.m. to midnight. But don’t stop by on Christmas Day or New Year’s Day, as the rink will be closed!
Admission to the rink is only $5, but that money will add up fast, and it will be awesome to see how much our combined admission tickets can put a dent in local hunger this holiday season.
Come on, ring those bells.
Similar to the Realtor Ring Day we participated in, you too can volunteer to ring bells outside of local businesses during the season to raise money for Salvation Army! All you need to do is register for any time slot between now and Christmas Eve, choose your location and show up during your scheduled time. This small action is sure to make a difference in the lives of those connected to Salvation Army. Not sure how to ring a bell? This video might help.
Give blood.
Most likely due to the hectic quality of the holiday season, the American Red Cross experiences a drop in blood and platelet donations this time of year. Counter that by donating blood to the American Red Cross in order to make a difference locally and globally. You may make an appointment to donate blood or platelets, knowing that your sacrifice will drastically affect someone’s holiday season.
If the thought of needles scares you, you might give financially or shop their holiday gift catalog to give a gift that really matters — like providing comfort kits for service members, helping deliver an emergency message, or providing a full day of emergency shelter for disaster victims.
Whatever you do in this arena, know that you are making a lasting impact for someone in Omaha or elsewhere in the world who needs physical assistance.
Donate clothing, food or other items.
As mentioned, you can drop off non-perishable food items or household goods as you skate at ConAgra Foods ice skating rink this holiday season. But ConAgra Foods is expanding their “Shine the Light on Hunger” impact beyond the rink by offering a food drive in collaboration with the local arts.
During the holiday season, attendees to various venues are invited to bring canned food and other non-perishable food items while attending any performance through Dec. 31. These venues include Omaha Performing Arts, the Omaha Symphony, Joslyn Art Museum, Opera Omaha and the Omaha Community Playhouse. Once again, all donations will support Food Bank for the Heartland in Omaha.
The Salvation Army and Omaha Fire Department are teaming up for a holiday food drive as well! All food donations will assist those in need and at-risk for hunger during the holiday season who visit The Salvation Army’s food pantry. You may drop off non-perishable food items at any Omaha Fire Department station wherever a “Holiday Donation Station” sign is located. The food items most needed this year include cereal, boxed dinner, boxed or bagged rice products, canned meat, canned vegetables, canned beans, canned tomato products, canned soups/stews, boxed macaroni and cheese, canned fruits, pasta and boxed cake/muffin mixes. Donations are accepted every day between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. until Dec. 23.
You may also donate clothing to Salvation Army. Schedule a pick-up with a Salvation Army donation truck or drop off clothing at one of their Omaha area locations. Warm clothing makes a huge difference to those in need during the cold winter months.
Diapers are another vital need at these shelters, and Channel 94.1 is doing something specific to help in this area. They are hosting a Diaper Drive on December 18-20 at the Linden Market Hy-Vee on 132nd and Dodge! Help them fill semi-trucks with diapers for Lydia House, a division of Open Door Mission. Before you arrive with a sack full of diapers, make sure you fill out a Donation Drop-Off Form to include with your diaper donation. You may drop off diapers at the following times:
Friday, December 18th from 6 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Saturday, December 19th from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Sunday, December 20th from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
What do you do each holiday season to help in the community? Let us know what volunteer opportunities are out there, and we might add it to our list to help spread the word!
PHOTOS COURTESY OF: NP Dodge Facebook Page, Open Door Mission, Holiday Lights Festival, Omaha.com, The Salvation Army, American Red Cross and Green Philly Blog