by Anna Iuppa
What makes Christmas the most special time of year? Is it the delicious food? Is it the break from school? Is it the fabulous presents? The majority of students at this school will spend Christmas joyfully in a warm home with amazing food, surrounded by a horde of torn apart wrapping materials. However, this year thousands in the Bay Area will spend the holiday without family or gifts, and some even without food.
Instead of feeling sad and then forgetting about these people during the holiday chaos, make your vacation worthwhile by volunteering to help some good causes! I think you will find that helping put a smile on someone’s face will be far more rewarding than receiving the current latest and greatest “must have.” Whether you volunteer at a homeless shelter, donate canned foods to a food bank, or bring gifts for children in need, even the smallest of efforts can make a big difference.
So this year, make Christmas more special for you than it has ever been before. I always feel guilty and selfish after New Years because I know that I could have done more for others. Start the year off right without regrets and give back some of the great blessings, with which God has blessed you. Below are just a few of the many Bay Area volunteer opportunities available this season. For more information visit http://www.volunteermatch.org/bymsa/m7400/c/opp41.html. Check some of them out and see where you can best give your time, money, or efforts. You’ll find that the most special gift this year is the one that you give, not the one you receive.
Volunteer Opportunities:
1) Holiday Volunteer Opportunities
Sacred Heart Community Service
San Jose, CA
11/16/06 to 12/21/06
2) Toy & Joy Shopping Escort
The Salvation Army - San Jose, CA
San Jose, CA
12/19/06 to 12/20/06
Teens, Groups
52.
3)Food Box Maker
The Salvation Army - San Jose, CA
San Jose, CA
12/2/06
Kids, Teens, Groups
4) Shopping Guide Groups for our Holiday Program
Sunday Friends Foundation
San Jose, CA
8/31/06 to 12/17/06
Teens, Groups
Maine Coon Adoptions
San Jose, CA
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