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Christmas Volunteers
updated: Dec 24, 2012, 5:43 PM

By Edhat Subscriber

My family and I would like to volunteer for Christmas. Any edhat suggestions?

Comments in order of when they were received | (reverse order)

SEEDLADY	2012-12-24 05:48 PM
try the Missions, but it's rather late now. If any of the community meals do delivery service, they may need drivers. Check the paper for announcements of meals being served tomorrow. Usually these meals are organized several months in advance. Put it on your calendar for October next year to start asking around.
SEEDLADY	2012-12-24 05:53 PM
found this for tonight! Community Christmas Dinner On Tuesday, December 25th, Santa Barbara Organic Soup Kitchen will host its Fourth Annual Community Dinner for Christmas at the Veteran's Memorial Building from 12:00 to 4pm. You are welcome to attend our Gift wrapping and Tree Trimming Party, Christmas Eve.
COMMENT 357201	2012-12-24 06:02 PM
Do you sing, play the piano or entertain? If so, I think some of the nursing homes might love to have their residents enjoy it.
COMMENT 357203	2012-12-24 06:32 PM
Come over to my house i could use a foot rub.
COMMENT 357204P	2012-12-24 06:33 PM
That's a great idea, Amara -- even going to visit those who are alone on the holiday would be a nice thing to do.
COMMENT 357225P	2012-12-24 10:14 PM
The community center in Goleta....they service dinner to anyone that is hungry at 1:00 and could always use help!!
COMMENT 357242P	2012-12-25 06:59 AM
Come to my house and cook dinner, do dishes, deal with family while I go to bed with a good book and a glass of wine? No, okay then. :-) Seriously, hope you find a rewarding way to help some folks - good for you and others like you.
COMMENT 357253	2012-12-25 08:27 AM
How about waiting until after the holiday, when others dont think of volunteering. There is a huge need for volunteers all year, not just on Christmas. My husband works in the industry, and says they are swamped for Christmas and Thanksgiving...but need so much help at other times.....how about waiting until you are really needed. Or rounding up your old jackets and blankets, and driving around giving them to those who look cold. You could definitely make a difference that way today.
COMMENT 357255	2012-12-25 08:32 AM
Speaking of Jackets and coats, Trudi Carey of Patterson Storage is collecting coats to give to the cold, this is her second year and Ablott's cleans them for free. Just drop off your not longer enjoyed coats and they take it from there, what a great thing!
SEEDLADY	2012-12-25 10:42 AM
Some great outside-the-box suggestions here. Getting involved in something year round, or with another season's volunteer needs would be a good learning tool for a family. We all really would benefit from more community involvement. Retried Seniors Volunteer Program (RSVP) and People Helping People are a good spot for finding year round needs. They can always use some "younger blood' as well as seniors for their fundraisers. Caring Callers is another program for calling/checking on shut-ins, year round. Also, Meals On Wheels generally need relief drivers. RSVP is a clearing house for volunteers, they have a good handle on needs.
COMMENT 357294P	2012-12-25 10:51 AM
...maybe each family memeber write down on a piece of paper what skills they have, a chore they could do, then take it a church or community service mission next week, and present it as a pledge as a family, to do something in 2013 for a senior or disabled person in need. "Walk dog" "Wash Windows" "Rake leaves" "Read a book to" "Run errands for" "Carpentry tasks" "Wash or repair car" "Prepare home cooked meal" etc.
COMMENT 357350	2012-12-25 04:13 PM
The Freedom Warming Centers coordinated through the SB Unitarian Society need volunteers throughout the chilly season

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