It seems hard to believe that the holiday season is almost upon us. Each year, around this time, we notice an increase in phone calls from people wanting to know how they can volunteer. The holidays are all about giving, so it is a natural time to think about helping others. If you’ve been thinking about doing some volunteer work in preparation for, or during, the holidays we encourage you to start applying for positions now.
Did you know you can search for holiday volunteer opportunities under the position type called “Christmas Events” on our online database? You might like to help Gorge Road Hospital decorate for Christmas, or wrap presents for shoppers at the mall on behalf of Burnside Gorge Community Association. Perhaps you would like to pack food hampers for needy families, or sort and display donated toys at the Salvation Army. Many volunteers every holiday season are also needed to gather donations into the Salvation Army’s red kettles. This year Point Ellice House needs help with their Christmas craft sale and tea. Be sure to contact one of these agencies (or others, as they add volunteer positions into this category) as soon as possible to lend a hand.
“What about helping in a soup kitchen?”, you may ask. We know serving meals to our city’s homeless population is a popular activity that many families and individuals wish to do around this time of year. However, since these types of volunteer positions need to be filled year round, we already have many dedicated volunteers who devote their time in this capacity each month of the year. The reality is – and we are so fortunate to have this “problem” – that agencies who provide meals to the homeless usually already have the help they need for the holidays.
But, as I mentioned above, there are many other ways to give. The non-profit organizations we work with need your skills during the holidays, and they need them every other month of the year too. It is important to remember that the “spirit of giving” does not only have to be saved for the holidays. You can give the gift of your time anytime of the year. Check our database often to browse what’s available in the 31 other volunteer position type categories and call us if you need any help along the way.
In the meantime let us know: What are your plans for holiday volunteering?
My daughter and I are wanting to help with Christmas. We are looking to work in a homeless shelter during the holidays, especially on Xmas day. We can also help with food hampers and wrapping toys. Please let me know what we can do to help. Thank you.
Thanks so much for inquiring about volunteering over the holidays! For the most up to date list of ways to help out this season, please call our front desk at 250.386.2269 and we’d be happy to share those ideas with you.
Hello,
I am interested in volunteering during this upcomming December. How can I contact the Gorge Road Hospital, the Burnside Gorge Community Association, or the Salvation Army? When I tried the links I got no contact information.
Thank you!
Hello Henrike and thank you for commenting. I wrote that post two years ago so, not surprisingly, the links are not longer active to those old volunteer postings. I have removed the links so that they are not confusing to people. But regardless, you are always welcome to search our “Christmas Help” position type in our volunteer database, or call our office anytime at 250-386-2269 if you are interested in volunteering around the holiday season. Good luck!
Some friends and I are looking to volunteer at a dinner during this years Christmas. Either on Christmas Eve or Christmas day. I can’t seem to fine anything on line? Where do we get this information? Thanks.
Hi Kathy, thanks for commenting. As I noted in the blog post above, many organizations that serve meals don’t need an extra influx of volunteers around the Christmas season because they have volunteers all year round fulfilling this role. However please call our office for some *possible* ideas. Currently we only have one Christmas position in our database, which you can find in the “Christmas Events” section.
I have recently moved to Esquimalt from James Bay….I love my new neighborhood.. Where can I help during the Christmas Season???
Hi Debbie – thanks for asking! We’ll be posting a blog post of Seasonal Volunteer opportunities later today! Good luck finding something that fits