The holiday season is coming up, before we all get wrapped up (literally) in shopping for gifts, holiday planning and travel arrangements there are some great opportunities of holiday giving and volunteering for families to take advantage of with their children.
These are some organizations that offer kid-friendly programs and volunteer opportunities:
Stockings with Care
Date: Starts mid-November
Volunteer Age: All ages, you do this on your own
If you are looking to do something at home or on your own with your family, you can sign up to “Be-A-Santa” and receive a wish list with 3 wishes for a New York City child whose family either lives in a homeless shelter or is in danger of being homeless. Take your kids shopping, wrap the gifts then drop them off at Santa’s Workshop where everything will be sorted and prepped for delivery
Website: http://stockingswithcare.org/how-to-help/be-a-santa/
Catholic Charities National Family Volunteer Day
Address: 350 East 56th Street
Date: Saturday, November 19th
Volunteer Age: projects vary for age 2+
Help make no-sew fleece blankets, snow globes, DIY Christmas decorations, homemade holiday cards and blessing bags. They will be distributed to those in need throughout the holiday season.
Thousand Turkey Challenge Kick-Off and Family Volunteer Day
Address: 263 West 86th Street in the basement of the Church of St. Paul & St. Andrew (between West End/Broadway)
Date: Sunday, November 20th
Volunteer Age: All ages welcome
Family Volunteer Day, in conjunction with the West Side Campaign Against Hunger Interfaith Coalition. Come learn about their supermarket style food pantry. Please bring a frozen turkey to donate (if you can not bring a turkey, please considering donating $18, the price of one turkey). Arts & Crafts project for the kids, recipe sharing for adults, snacks and refreshments provided. Create toiletry kits for food pantry clients- please bring travel- sized toiletry items.
Website: www.doinggoodtogether.org
Feeding 2016
Address: Chelsea Piers
Date: Tuesday, November 22nd
Volunteer Age: All ages welcome
Over 400+ volunteers come together to help pack and deliver meals to families living in shelters. If you are looking to show your support further, you can donate a box filled with a full Thanksgiving meal to be given to one of the families.
Website: Volunteer: https://www.crowdrise.com/registration/event_options/13935?fundraiser=574293
Donate a Box: https://www.crowdrise.com/feedingnyc2016
Food Bank of New York