Volunteer on Thanksgiving Day
There are some great traditions on Thanksgiving, like turkey and dressing, the Dallas Cowboys and the Macy’s Thanksgiving parade to name just a few. Along with these traditions, Thanksgiving is a day for giving thanks. It says so right in the name. We give thanks for all the blessings we’ve received during the years. We’re grateful to be warm and dry and to have great people to share those blessings with.
Not everyone is so fortunate, however. One great way to give thanks is to share the good fortune by volunteering to help others. There are plenty of ways to help out in your community and make Thanksgiving a better day for everyone. If you’re unsure how to get started, here is our Thanksgiving Day volunteer primer:
Work in a soup kitchen. Food is the most basic need we have and Thanksgiving is a tough time to go hungry. The holiday cheer you serve up can and does make a difference. Better yet, consider also volunteering during the summer months. The need is still there and volunteers are a lot harder to come by.
Donate winter clothing. Thanksgiving may be festive, but it’s also cold outside in many parts of the country. A warm winter coat can go a long way toward warding off the chill, and unlike a Thanksgiving Day feast, a warm coat can last all winter.
Join in a toy drive. Christmas is just around the corner, and Santa can only do so much. The one thing sadder than an empty plate at Thanksgiving dinner might be a big empty space underneath the Christmas tree, so consider giving good ol’ Saint Nick a helping hand.
That’s just for starters though. If you’re a runner or just want to work off that every helping of pumpkin pie, why not do a Turkey Trot? No, it’s not the latest dance craze. You’ve probably seen people offering to walk or run so many miles for charity. Well, the Turkey Trot is the Thanksgiving version. It’s become quite popular. Running USA, a non-profit industry group, estimated that over 1 million runners completed over 1,000 races across the country in 2017. While it’s not strictly required, you can even dress up as your favorite turkey to add a little Thanksgiving flair to your run.
Your volunteer efforts don’t have to be Thanksgiving-themed, of course. Use your own talents and skills. Is there expertise you can offer? Special skills you can teach? Don’t hesitate. Share. And don’t just save your efforts for Thanksgiving either. Make every day a day of giving. You can make the world a better place, on Thanksgiving Day and beyond.