Giving Back over the Holidays 2022

• November 27, 2022

  Posted by: Corinne Napper

  

  How to Get Involved and Give Back over the Holidays

  We will be closed from December 23 to January 3 but before we take a break, we'd like to leave you with our annual list of how to get involved and give back this time of year.

  

  Featured:

  • Trinity Events Christmas & Craft Market for Special Olympics Manitoba is seeking volunteers for their event - positions include: event set-up, parking attendant, raffle tickets, vendor assistance, and event take-down.

  • Assiniboine Park Conservancy needs volunteers for Zoo Lights 2022! Experience this unique winter festival in-depth and up close!

  • Do you love birding? Are you excited about citizen science? A Rocha's annual Christmas bird count is coming up at the Boreal Ecology Centre in East Braintree, MB on December 17. The information collected by thousands of volunteer participants across North America forms one of the world's largest sets of wildlife survey data. It is great for groups and families. Register by Dec 9th.

  • 2022 Holiday Gift Wrapping Kildonan Place Cystic Fibrosis Canada is seeking volunteers that enjoy the holiday season, wrapping gifts and meeting new people for Holiday Gift Wrapping at Kildonan Place. Be a part of an organization making an amazing difference for those affected by cystic fibrosis, a fatal childhood disease.

  • Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre needs Volunteer Drivers for their 21st Christmas Hamper Drive on December 17th, 2022. Deliveries will start at 10:30 am and will continue till all Christmas hampers have been delivered. You must have your own vehicle.

  • Craig Street Cats is seeking volunteers for their Annual Winter Craft Show that will take place on December 4th! Volunteers are needed for: set up, door holding, fetching/delivering, taking lunch orders, collecting raffle donations, helping with the bake sale or raffle tables, and tear-down.

  • The Salvation Army has numerous volunteer opportunities throughout the Christmas season.

    • Help low-income families in Winnipeg have a Merry Christmas with Toy Mountain campaign

    • Spread some cheer at the Winnipeg Santa Shuffle Fun Run.

    • See how donations make an impact in local communities as a Kettle Bell Ringer in Winnipeg, Portage la Prairie, Brandon and Neepawa.

  • ANSANM Foundation Inc. is seeking volunteers for their Christmas Market fundraiser. ANSANM Foundation Inc. is an organization that supports adults living with Autism. They need about 7 volunteers to help the vendors load and unload their merchandise, help them find their spots, and stand at the table if the vendors need a break. They need volunteers for both Dec 10 and Dec 17th. Email the ANSANM Foundation at ansanmfoundation@shaw.ca by Dec. 8, 2022.

  • CLOSED! Thank you for the great response! Misericordia Health Centre is seeking pianist volunteers to play Christmas melodies to delight and bring holiday cheer to resident seniors.

  Other Volunteer Opportunities:

  • Age and Opportunity is looking for volunteers for its Connect Program. As a volunteer, you'll reach out to isolated seniors and help reduce their feelings of loneliness. You can also be a Santa to a Senior, and deliver gifts to older adults who might not otherwise receive a gift over the holidays.
  • Donate your time to the Christmas Cheer Board or Harvest Manitoba and help those in need over the holidays. Outside of Winnipeg, you can support the Winkler and District Christmas Cheer Board or the Steinbach Community Christmas Drive is looking for volunteer help and donations.
  • Give the gift of life by donating blood and/or sign up to be an organ donor.
  • Want to support our furry friends over the holidays? The Thompson Humane Society needs help and/or supplies. You can also drop off pet supplies and food to the Winnipeg Humane Society, Manitoba Underdogs Rescue, or D'Arcys ARC (animal rescue centre).
  • Make a care kit for people in need, with items like socks, deodorant, mittens, feminine hygiene products and snacks. Donate them to any of the following: 1Just City, Siloam Mission, Ndinawe/Tina's Safe Haven, Main Street Project and in Brandon, MB, Samaritan House Ministries and the John Howard Society of Brandon. (Check out their websites first, or call to find out what items are most needed!)
  • You can also host a collection drive - get your friends, family, coworkers and neighbours to gather essential items and then donate them through the United Way. Or contact the following organizations to learn about how you can offer support: North End Women's Centre, RaY - Resource Assistance for Youth, Ronald McDonald House, and in Brandon, MB, the Women's Resource Centre.
    
  • Donate gently used DVDs, games, and craft supplies to the Youth Resource Centre at The Link (formerly MacDonald Youth Services) or to Arts Junktion.
  • Meals on Wheels is looking for drivers to deliver delicious and nutritious meals to clients in the community. If you have a few hours a week to spare, visit www.mealswinnipeg.com
  • Compliment a stranger and wish them a happy holidays either in person or by leaving a note for someone to find.
  • Sleep in Heavenly Peace is doing their Annual '50 Days of Giving' campaign again this year, from Nov 12 - Dec 31 (the last 50 days of the year).

  Simple acts of kindness to warm hearts:

  • Compliment a stranger and wish them a happy holidays either in person or by leaving a note for someone to find.
  • Ask a neighbour if you can help them this season by performing chores, errands, or shoveling snow.
  • Drop off thank you cards or treats for staff and volunteers at non-profits, charities, and community centres in your neighbourhood.
  • Pay it forward - buy someone else a coffee or warm drink anonymously.
  • Leave a five-star review online for your favourite restaurant, salon, or store.
  • Share your holiday volunteering or acts of kindness on social media and encourage others to give back too! (Tag Volunteer Manitoba in your posts so we can share them!)

  
  Remember, always call or visit an organization's website before showing up with donated items or asking to volunteer.

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