Volunteer for the Holidays - Sign Up Now!

The holidays are a great time to volunteer. Many people are on vacaton from work and school, and brightening the day of someone who needs it is a wonderful way to use some of that time while giving back to the community. But wait too long to sign up and the opportunity could be filled. I once found myself in a city away from my family, unable to get home for the holidays, and got rejected from helping out at all the places I called because I had waited too long.

Below are a few December 25 ideas to check out from United Way of Greater Cincinnati’s special holiday edition of the Volunteer and Go Guide. Be sure to check the Guide or the contact listed below for more information, including any minimum age/minor accompaniment requirements:

• Help prepare, set up and serve the meal and clean up. Call ahead to sign up.

- Feast of Love Ministries, 45224. Contact: Karen Lane, 513-541-5676.
- Mental Health America of Northern Kentucky, Covington, 41011. Contact: Lucinda Groves, 859-431-1077 or lgroves@mhanky.org.
- Our Daily Bread, 45202. Contact: Kathy Ray, 513-621-6364 or kathy@ourdailybread.us.

• Deliver a hot turkey dinner with flowers to an older adult who would otherwise spend the holiday alone. The visit is just as important as the meal, if not more so. Little Brothers, Friends of the Elderly, 45239. Contact: Karen D’Alessandro, 513-542-7555 or kdalessandro.cin@littlebrothers.org.

If you miss out on an opportunity on the big day itself, consider other holiday volunteer ideas. These include helping out with the toy train exhibit at Behringer Crawford Museum, Covington, 41011; holiday preparations, FreestoreFoodbank, 45202; Holiday in Lights, Hamilton County Park District, 45231; gift wrapping, Holly Hill Children's Home, California, KY, 41007; holiday party, St. Joseph Orphanage, 45239; Toy Shop (45202) or Red Kettle Campaign (various locations), The Salvation Army of Greater Cincinnati; sleigh drivers, stocking elves, Welcome House of Northern Kentucky, Inc., Covington, 41011.

But why stop with the holidays? Your time and talents are needed year-round. Help out as a tutor or mentor for youth, prepare taxes to help hardworking families, spend time with an older adult, and more. Search the quarterly Volunteer and Go Guide to check out the United Way of Greater Cincinnati’s The Volunteer Connection’s secure searchable database or call United Way 211 (dial 2-1-1) to find the right opportunity for you.