The beginning of November marks the start of many exciting occasions such as the holidays and spending time with loved ones (albeit safely this year to follow COVID-19 guidelines). It also marks the season of additional community outreach and volunteer opportunities.
Praescient prioritizes participating in volunteer activities all year round by committing our time and efforts to organizations that benefit those not only locally in the surrounding DC metro area but also nationally and even globally. These can be things as small as participating in the Amazon Smile program, which donates a portion of your Amazon purchases to any charity of your choice, to donating to local organizations that raise awareness and funds that benefit at-risk individuals in our community. With the global pandemic causing many to lose jobs, benefits, and businesses it is even more important than years prior that we encourage those around us to get involved and promote volunteerism to help our communities. We recognize that this year will have added difficulties for volunteering due to safety and personnel restriction so to encourage continued participation we have put together a list of virtual and socially distanced opportunities to give back to those in need this holiday season.
Ways to get involved this holiday season:
Locally
Volunteer at a local soup kitchen (Alexandria, VA)
- find food pantries near you to see if they have open positions
Donate financially to children in need (fund for children in need in Alexandria, VA)
Nationally
Host a letter-writing drive to benefits those missing loved ones or going through a hard time this holiday season.
- More Love Letters send letters all over the country to those facing hard times. They have fun holiday themed letter writing campaigns.
- USASOA send holiday cards to US troops deployed all over the world.
Buy / fund a family’s holiday presents.
- You can do this locally through your Salvation Army Angel Tree or nationally with the Marines Toys for Tots program
Participate in the Amazon Smile Program to donate .05% of every purchase you make on Amazon to a charity of your choice.
While things may be different this holiday season, helping those in need does not need to change. Praescient encourages everyone to reach out to those around you to spread positivity and volunteer or get involved in any way you can to help your community this holiday season.