Volunteering for the Holidays

     The Holiday's are nearing and it seems that the excitement of it is starting to fill the air, yet while families are preparing for their yearly family reunions, dinner parties, gift shopping; there are people who won't be able to do the things that give the holiday's its joy. Every year there are millions of people who don't have anywhere to go for the holidays; maybe because they don't have a home or they just don't have enough money to sustain themselves and their family. Although most of these people may not be able to spend the holidays like they wish they could, their are kind hearted people who make sure to open their businesses for people who don't have anywhere to spend the holidays. Places like the Salvation Army to churches open up their doors to welcome families with low income rates; they are able to receive food, clothes, toys, and so much more.
    Especially considering that the holidays is the time of giving and bringing others joy, what could be more heart warming than giving others what most of us already have at home: family, food, and warmth. For the most part everyone is with family during the holidays, of course, but dedicating a few moments of your time is so much more to them than just doing it because you have to, its giving up something meaningful to you, you make their holiday special. According to statistics in January of 2014 approximately 578,424 people were experiencing homelessness, 216,197 of them were families. From that point forward we don't know if the number has gone up or if it has gone down.

I was able to interview three students on what their opinions were on  volunteering for the Holiday's.
Have you volunteered? Why or why not?
Lauren Clinkscales: Yes! I've volunteered in a soup kitchen and animal shelter. I volunteer because it's a good experience to have, and it makes you feel good.
Eliza Miller: Yes I have. I've done it for work experience.
Breana Brown: Yes I've volunteered at a homeless shelter.

If you could recommend someone where to volunteer, where would you direct them?
Lauren Clinkscales: Animal Shelter, definitely!
Eliza Miller: Animal shelter because I like dogs.
Breana Brown: Animal Shelter because it's therapeutic.

Why should people volunteer these holidays?
Lauren Clinkscales: The holiday's you're meant to help people fill that spot, everyone is surrounded by family and friends during the holidays, so you want to make them feel equally loved.
Eliza Miller: Bring Christmas cheer!
Breana Brown: Christmas joy!!! There are kids with no homes who could use gifts.


I also was able to survey students on what they thought of volunteering and how they felt about it. Here are a few questions I was able to ask:

1. What is charity work to you? Do you find it to be beneficial?
Helping people, anything you do for free
Everyone answered yes to the second question
2. Do you think people should be involved in charity work? Why or why not?
Yes:8  Helps the community, nice thing to do, helping the community get stronger
No: 0
3. Do you consider the holiday's to be the hardest time to volunteer?
Yes: 4
No: 3
Sometimes: 1
4. Do you think people get involved in charity/ volunteer work during the holiday's for publicity?
Yes: 2
No: 4
Sometimes: 2
5. Have you ever done any volunteer work? Why or why not?
Yes: 5  I like to help people, Wanted to help, Right thing to do, good on college applications, seems like fun
No: 3  Never thought about it, no time, nothing to do
6. What type of volunteer work should people participate in during these upcoming holidays?
-Gifts
-Food
-Toys for kids
-Soup Kitchen
-Clothes
7. Do you think the holiday's are when people volunteer the most?
Yes: 8
No: 0
8. Should charity work during the holiday's be broadcasted more often so that more attention will be brought?
Yes: 6
No: 2
9. Should schools do more hands on activities for charities?
Yes: 8
No: 0
10. Do you think volunteering helps one grow as a person?
Yes: 7
No: 1

If you're interested in volunteering, here are a few places:

• Greensboro Urban Ministry ( 305 W Lee St Greensboro, NC 27406)
• Bender's Tavern ( 4517-A W. Market St. Greensboro NC)
• All pet's considered (2614 Battleground Ave, Greensboro, NC 27408)
• The Salvation Army (1311 S. Eugene St. Greensboro, NC 27406)