Ways to Give Back this Holiday Season

The holiday season is well underway and with that comes a variety of opportunities to volunteer and serve those in need. We’ve rounded up some upcoming opportunities for you here. 

Volunteering

The Holiday Project
The Holiday Project is a group that organizes volunteers to visit people in nursing homes, hospitals and other residential institutions to bring the holiday spirit to those who may not otherwise have a celebration. The Holiday Project organizes visits in areas across the country and is specifically in need of volunteers at institutions across Houston on Christmas Day. Check out the Volunteer Houston website here for locations and information on how to sign up! 

The 40th Annual Christmas Eve Super Feast
The City Wide Club hosts two annual “Super Feasts,” one on Thanksgiving and one on Christmas Eve, where thousands in need come to the George R. Brown Convention Center for a hot meal. Volunteers are needed both to prepare the meal on Dec. 23 and to help serve on Christmas Eve. Sign up to volunteer here!

Hurricane Harvey Recovery
It’s been over a year since Hurricane Harvey hit, but many Houstonians are still displaced from their homes. SBP Houston - part of the national SBP organization focused on disaster recovery - is leading efforts to assist Hurricane Harvey victims. The national organization was started in 2006 as the “St. Bernard Project” and was named after a New Orleans parish where the founders had volunteered post Hurricane Katrina. The Houston branch, SBP Houston,  is dedicating the month of December as a “build” month to help Hurricane Harvey victims return home for the holidays. Sign up to volunteer to help build anytime this month - no construction experience needed! 

The City of Bellaire is partnering with non-profit Stuff the Sleigh for a Christmas toy drive through Dec. 12.

Donation Drives

Bellaire & Stuff the Sleigh Toy Drive
The City of Bellaire is partnering with non-profit Stuff the Sleigh for a Christmas toy drive. Stuff the Sleigh is an organization dedicated to helping children and their families experience the joy of Christmas through year-round giving to children affected by cancer and hematological conditions. The drive runs until Dec. 12, and you can check out the link to find where you can drop off your gift.    

Pet Supply Donation Drive
Pearl Bar of Houston is collecting donations through Sunday, Dec. 9 for the Best Friends Animal Society. Help make sure animals are taken care of this season by dropping off pet-friendly items such as pet food, leashes or pet toys. Best Friends Animal Society will also be on site at the Pearl Bar on Washington Ave. on Sunday, Dec. 9 with kittens and dogs ready for adoption.

Star of Hope Gift Donations
On Christmas Day, Star of Hope Mission will be home to nearly 1,200 homeless men, women and children. Organize your own collection drive or drop gifts to the Star of Hope by Dec. 14 to help! See the Star of Hope website for a complete listing of gift-giving guidelines.  

Houston Fire Department’s Operation: Stocking Stuffer
The Houston Fire Department is collecting new, unwrapped toy donations as part of their “Operation: Stocking Stuffer.” Drop off your toy donation at any local Houston Fire Department station by Dec. 17. 

Know of other opportunities to help out or give to those in need? Comment below or email [email protected] to let us know.