How To Make a Lasting Difference This 2023 Holiday Season
Give Back Sustainably: Making An Impact This Holiday Season
A hallmark of the holiday season is spending and giving to spread good tidings, joy, and merriment; you don't have to spend a fortune to do so. While there are many worthy causes to support, one way to ensure that your giving has a lasting impact is to focus on sustainable giving.
Sustainable giving is about more than just writing a check or making a donation; it's about finding ways to help causes and organizations working to create lasting positive change in the world. This can include supporting environmental conservation efforts, helping to provide access to education and healthcare, or working to reduce poverty and inequality.
EcoBlvd encourages you to lift the spirits of someone who might need a little help this holiday season. Doing so is as rewarding to you as it is to someone else. We have put together ten ways to help the environment and community.
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Holiday Giving: Why Should You Give Back?
You Are Helping Those In Need
Giving back during the holidays allows us to show compassion for those in need. The holiday season can be difficult for many people, whether they are struggling with financial difficulties, health problems, or challenges. Giving back can help make the holiday season easier for those in need and show them that they are not alone. Creating stronger, more connected communities and supporting our neighbors and friends can benefit us all.
You Are Helping Your Local Community
Another important reason to give back during the holidays is to help build a sense of community and belonging. The holiday season is when many people strongly desire to connect with others and celebrate the things that bring us together. By giving back, we can foster a sense of community and belonging and create opportunities for people to come together and support one another. We can better form stronger bonds among our community members and create an environment that is more vibrant and supportive for all.
You Are Helping The Environment
Finally, giving back during the holidays can also positively impact the environment. The holiday season is when many people consume more resources and generate more waste, which can negatively affect the planet. Also, by giving back in ways that support environmental conservation and impacts and make the holiday season a little greener. Participating in environmental stewardship activities, reducing our consumption and waste, and supporting organizations that protect the environment can all contribute to this goal. By taking these steps, we can help to create a healthier and more sustainable future for everyone.
10 Sustainable Ways To Give Back During The Holidays:
1. Run Or Walk For A Good Cause
Holiday runs and walks are a fun and exciting way to get active, enjoy the season, and support a worthy cause simultaneously. By joining a holiday run or walk, you can help raise awareness and funds for organizations working to impact your community positively. There are a variety of events organized by various organizations to help raise funds for research, help patients, and help food banks such as:
Arthritis Foundation: The Arthritis Foundation organizes events like the "Jingle Bell Run" to raise funds for arthritis research and support programs.
American Cancer Society: Participate in charity runs and walks organized by the American Cancer Society to support cancer research and patients.
Feeding America: They host events like "Turkey Trots" to raise funds for hunger relief and food banks.
In addition to the benefits for the organizations and causes you are supporting, participating in a holiday run or walk is also a sustainable way to give back because it promotes physical activity and health. By getting active and staying healthy, you can help to reduce your carbon footprint and support the well-being of your community.
2. Volunteer & Lend A Helping Hand
When you volunteer your skills, you are using your unique talents and abilities to support organizations and causes that are important to you. Volunteering your skills can help these organizations achieve their goals and positively impact your community.
Meals on Wheels: Often looks for volunteers to help deliver meals to seniors during the holiday season.
Habitat for Humanity: Frequently seeks volunteers for its holiday build and repair projects to provide housing for those in need.
VolunteerMatch: This helps you find volunteer opportunities in your area that match your skills and interests.
Additionally, volunteering your skills is a sustainable way to give back because it allows you to use your existing knowledge and expertise to benefit others. The experience can be rewarding and fulfilling and assist you in developing new skills and abilities. By volunteering your skills, you can help to build stronger, more vibrant communities and support the well-being of your friends and neighbors.
3. Host A Holiday Food Drive
A holiday food drive is a fun and rewarding way to support organizations that provide food and other essential items to those in need. By hosting a food drive, you can collect non-perishable food items and other essentials, such as toiletries and cleaning supplies, and donate them to organizations that assist those in need. The holiday season can be more enjoyable for everyone in your community if everyone has access to food and other necessities.
By hosting a holiday food drive, you support your community's long-term health and well-being and help organizations like:
World Food Program USA: supports the global humanitarian efforts of the United Nations World Food Programme. By organizing a food drive and contributing to World Food Program USA, you can help provide emergency food assistance to those in need around the world, making a global impact.
No Kid Hungry: Dedicated to ending childhood hunger by connecting kids in need with nutritious food.
Move For Hunger: Move For Hunger partners with moving companies to collect non-perishable food items during moves and supports food banks.
Hosting a food drive to support this organization can ensure that children have access to meals, especially during the holiday season.
Hosting a holiday food drive not only supports your community's long-term health and well-being but also brings people together to make a positive impact. It's an excellent way to create stronger, more connected communities and provide opportunities for people to come together and support one another during the holiday season. So why not consider organizing a food drive in your community and helping to make a positive difference this holiday season?
4. Organize A Community Garden
A community garden is a shared space where community members can gather to grow fruits, vegetables, and other plants. Organizing a community garden allows people to connect with nature, learn about gardening and sustainable food production, and enjoy the benefits of fresh, locally-grown produce.
Organizing a community garden is a sustainable way to give back because it supports your community's long-term health and well-being. Community gardens can help promote physical activity and healthy eating and provide access to fresh, nutritious food for people who otherwise may not have access to it. Creating a more sustainable and resilient food system can positively impact health and well-being.
Here are some helpful organizations to help you get started and connected to get your community garden flourishing:
American Community Gardening Association (ACGA): ACGA provides resources and support for community garden organizers.
Local Harvest: Connects people to community-supported agriculture (CSA) and local food initiatives.
Plant a Row for the Hungry: Plant a Row for the Hungry encourages gardeners to grow extra produce for donation to local food banks.
Additionally, organizing a community garden is a great way to unite people and build community. By creating a shared space where people can work together and enjoy the outdoors, you can help foster connections and relationships between community members. In this way, everyone can enjoy a more vibrant and supportive environment.
Overall, organizing a community garden is a sustainable and rewarding way to give back during the holiday season. So why not consider starting a community garden in your neighborhood and help to make a positive difference in your community?
5. Make Holiday Cards For Nursing Home Residents & Children's Hospital Patients
Making holiday cards is a fun and rewarding way to bring cheer and joy to those who may not be able to celebrate the holidays the same way as others. By making holiday cards, you can show your support and compassion for nursing home residents, children's hospital patients, and many more, helping brighten their day during a difficult time.
Making holiday cards is also a sustainable way to give back because it is an eco-friendly and low-cost activity. You can use materials that you already have on hand, such as card stock, markers, and stickers, to create beautiful and unique cards. You can reduce your own consumption and waste and contribute to your community's sustainability.
Making holiday cards is also a great way to get creative and express yourself. You can create truly special and meaningful cards with your unique style and artistic abilities. It can be a fun and fulfilling experience and contribute to the well-being of those who receive your cards.
By making holiday cards, you can support organizations such as:
Cards for Hospitalized Kids: This organization collects and delivers handmade cards to children in hospitals.
Love for the Elderly: Distributes letters and cards to seniors in nursing homes.
Operation Gratitude: Sends care packages with handwritten letters to military personnel and first responders.
Making holiday cards for these organizations is a sustainable and rewarding way to give back during the holiday season. So why not consider making holiday cards and spreading cheer to those who may need it most?
6. Donate Warm Clothes & Toys
Donating warm clothes and toys is a simple but powerful way to support those who are struggling during the holiday season. By donating items that you no longer need or use, you can help provide essential items to those who may otherwise not have access to them. This can help keep people warm and comfortable during the cold winter months and provide much-needed joy and excitement to children who may not have many other gifts to open on Christmas morning.
Donating warm clothes and toys is also a sustainable way to give back because it helps to reduce waste and support the circular economy. When you donate items you no longer need, you give them a new life and keep them out of landfills.
Additionally, donating warm clothes and toys is a great way to support organizations and charities working to help those in need. By donating to these organizations, you can help them continue their essential work and positively impact your community. This can help to create stronger, more vibrant neighborhoods and support the well-being of those who are struggling.
Donating warm clothes and toys is a sustainable and rewarding way to give back during the holiday season.
Here are some notable organizations to consider making donations to:
Toys for Tots: Organizes toy drives and distributes toys to children in need during the holiday season. They often look for volunteers to assist in collecting, sorting, and distributing toys.
Goodwill: Accept clothing and goods donations to support employment programs and community services.
The Salvation Army: Provides clothing and toy donations to families in need, especially during the holidays.
7. Pay It Forward
Paying it forward is a simple yet powerful way to make a positive difference during the holiday season. By doing something kind or helpful for someone else without expecting anything in return, you create a ripple effect of kindness and generosity that can positively impact your community. This act of kindness supports the well-being of others and fosters connections and relationships. In addition to the personal fulfillment it brings, paying it forward is also a great way to make new friends as it often encourages others to do the same. When you do something kind for someone else, you create an opportunity for them to do the same.
Paying it forward is both sustainable and rewarding when it comes to giving back during the holiday season. So why not consider being kind to someone else and creating a ripple effect of kindness and generosity within your community? As you do so, you can support various organizations that work towards making the world a better place. Consider extending your kindness to:
Suspended Coffees: This movement allows you to prepay for a meal or drink for someone in need at participating cafes. Your acts of kindness can provide warmth and nourishment to those who need it most.
One Warm Coat: Hosts coat drives and provides warm coats to those in need during the winter. Your acts of kindness can help keep people warm during the cold months.
United Way: Focuses on improving communities through various initiatives, including volunteer opportunities. Your acts of kindness can support their efforts to create positive change in your community.
Paying it forward by being kind to someone can create a chain reaction of goodwill and positively impact your community. So why not start this chain of kindness and consider supporting organizations like these to make a broader positive difference?
8. Shop Local
Shopping locally is a meaningful way to give back during the holiday season. By supporting small, independent businesses in your community, you can significantly impact your local economy, create job opportunities, and contribute to the vibrancy of your community. It's more than just a shopping choice; it's a commitment to your community's well-being.
Shopping locally is also a sustainable way to give back because it reduces the environmental impact of your holiday shopping. When you choose to shop locally, you are often purchasing products made with local materials and resources, which can help reduce the energy and resources needed for transportation. This not only supports your local economy but also benefits the environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and other forms of pollution.
Moreover, shopping locally offers a unique shopping experience, often providing handmade, artisanal, and one-of-a-kind products. Many local businesses offer products that are made with care and a personal touch. By choosing to shop locally, you not only support your community but also find truly special and meaningful gifts that can't be found anywhere else.
Consider taking a stroll down your local main street, exploring shops and boutiques that showcase the creativity and craftsmanship of local artisans. The products you discover and purchase from:
American Independent Business Alliance (AMIBA): AMIBA supports and promotes local independent businesses. By shopping with them, you help strengthen your local business community and stimulate your local economy.
Etsy: Connects buyers with artisans and sellers offering unique, locally-made products. This platform allows you to discover and purchase handmade and one-of-a-kind gifts, directly supporting independent artisans in your community.
Local First: A well-established organization that promotes and supports local businesses in communities across the country. Their website provides a directory of local businesses, making it easier for you to find and support businesses in your area.
Overall, shopping locally is a sustainable and rewarding way to give back during the holiday season. By supporting local businesses and artisans, you play an active role in making your community a brighter and more prosperous place.
9. Shop Your Values With Give-Back Brands
Shopping your values with brands that give back to the planet is a sustainable way to give back because it supports the long-term health and well-being of the planet. By choosing to support businesses that donate to environmental organizations, you can help fund the work of organizations protecting the environment, supporting animal welfare, promoting sustainable agriculture, and many other important causes that support our communities' sustainability.
One sustainable way to do this is by shopping your values with brands that are members of 1% For The Planet. 1% For The Planet is an international network of businesses committed to supporting environmental conservation and sustainability. These businesses pledge to donate at least 1% of their annual sales to support nonprofit organizations that work to protect the planet. By shopping with these brands, you can support the important work that they do and help to create a healthier and more sustainable future for everyone.
As part of our commitment to sustainable practices and supporting our planet, EcoBlvd proudly participates in 1% For The Planet. We take our responsibility seriously and have taken it a step further. We are committed to donating a minimum of 2% of our total revenue to environmental non-profit organizations. Our contributions support organizations such as the National Forest Foundation, Mojave Desert Land Trust, Ocean Conservancy, and many others.
To learn more about how we give back and our sustainability initiatives, read our “Protecting The Planet” page.
10. Make A Difference Online
Making a difference online by spreading awareness is a sustainable way of giving back during the holidays. In today's world, the internet has become a powerful tool for connecting people and sharing information. By using your social media platforms, blogs, and websites to share important messages and raise awareness about critical issues, you can positively impact the world around you.
In addition to being a sustainable way of giving back, spreading awareness online also has the potential to reach a wider audience than traditional forms of activism. You can educate and inform others by sharing important messages with your online networks, potentially inspiring them to take action.
Moreover, sharing awareness online can also build a sense of community and solidarity among like-minded individuals. By coming together and working towards a common goal, you can help create positive change and make a real difference in the world.
If you want to impact the world and give back sustainably during the holidays, consider spreading awareness online. Here are some ways you can get involved:
Support organizations dedicated to sustainability and social causes by sharing their initiatives and campaigns. For example, The Climate Reality Project actively works to address climate change, and you can help spread the word about their efforts.
Use your social media platforms to promote sustainable holiday practices, such as reducing waste and supporting eco-friendly gifts. Encourage your friends and followers to make small changes for a greener holiday season.
Raise awareness about local community events and charitable causes during the holidays, such as toy drives, food banks, and volunteer opportunities. Share information about how others can get involved and make a difference.
By using your online presence to spread awareness and promote positive change, you can make a real difference and help create a better world for us all.
Conclusion:
Overall, the key to giving back sustainably is to think about the long-term impact of our actions and make choices that support the health of our planet. By following these tips, you can enjoy the holiday season while also making a positive difference in the world.
