Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve adored giving. It’s my love language. When I was a kid, a.k.a. before I had an income, I would host birthday parties for different causes in Santa Cruz. It was never a question to me. I raised funds for a variety of causes, from horse sanctuaries to fighting childhood hunger to cystic fibrosis research, because I knew that I had what some people did not.
I don’t say this to seem like some sort of superhero — I was simply raised to acknowledge my privilege and give to the less fortunate. As I type this, I’m near tears reading about animals that have been abused. Insert “take my money” Futurama meme here. (I might be PMS-ing too, but that’s beside the point.)
With the pandemic, in-person volunteering isn’t as much of an option as before. But there are still plenty of ways to help out. From Facebook birthday fundraisers to hosting workshops, here are a few ideas to give back in the new year.
Buy from Companies That Give Back
These are the ultimate gifts that give back! No, you don’t have to stop shopping for yourself in 2021 — just buy from companies that give back at the same time. Check out the companies you love to see if they’re helping to support the community. Need ideas? Check out these:
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TOMS Shoes
One for One program: One of the most well-known giving programs is TOMS’ One for One. Buy a pair of TOMS, and they’ll donate a pair of shoes to those in need. Now you know where to get your next set of kicks.
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Amazon Smile
Choose a nonprofit you’re passionate about, then visit smile.amazon.com to shop for your needs (or wants). A portion of your purchase will go to the nonprofit you choose.
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Warby Parker
Buy a Pair, Give a Pair program: When you buy a pair of glasses, they’ll donate a pair of glasses to those in need. They aim to empower adults who need eye exams, and school-aged children with impaired vision.
Donate Items to Your Local Organizations
Have some extra blankets around? Donate them to the local animal shelter. Grown out of clothes? Give them to your local charity. Got old gaming controls? Check to see if the local children’s hospital accepts them. If you have something lying around that you no longer need, there’s bound to be somebody who does need it.
Most cities have a specific page on their website with places to donate to — scope it out and then go through your things. Chances are, you’ll have more to give than you even realized.
Donate Your Knowledge
Are you a writer? A chef? A yoga instructor? Host a workshop surrounding your hobbies/profession. You can send out a Zoom link (privately — Zoom-bombing is a serious thing) to people who RSVP to your event. Make it as intimate or as public as you want.
If you have any skills relevant to nonprofits in your community, considering donating them. Offer a 15 to 30-minute consultation on the topic of your profession — for example, help underserved teens with resumes if you’re a businessperson. Or if you’re a web designer, see if a local charity needs help with their donation page.
Utilize Social Media
Have a birthday coming up? Facebook offers a fundraising feature for specific causes close to your heart. (For example, I’m currently hosting a fundraiser for my birthday for Cystic Fibrosis Research Institute.) Facebook will even fill out the info box if you don’t know what to say. This is one of my favorite gifts that give back, and I look forward to doing it every year.
You might also consider thanking donors on social media when they give to your cause. While some might want to be anonymous, certain donors will love having their name splayed across social media. Check in advance, then get on your thank yous.
Use Your Hands
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There are plenty of simple ways to give back that start with your hands. For example, Project Linus accepts new, hand-made blankets for children in need. You can knit beanies for Love Your Melon, a nonprofit dedicated to fighting childhood cancer. And Quilts of Valor asks for hand-made quilts for former service members.
Another way to use your hands: writing a card. In the COVID-19 era, those who are in nursing homes, incarcerated, or working on the front lines are stressed and lonely without visitors. Write cards through a variety of programs; the California Coalition for Women Prisoners, for example, is a letter-writing service for incarcerated women, while Chill has letter templates to write to essential workers.
Giving back doesn’t just mean raising hundreds of dollars to donate — getting involved in other ways is just as necessary and meaningful. So, whether you’re writing the cards, buying through Amazon Smile, or knitting hats, know that what you are doing DOES make a difference. No gift is too small, and it will make your heart feel huge.
What are some of your favorite gifts that give back this holiday season? Let us know in the comments!
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