Getting Involved in Your Community During the Holidays

In the holiday season, it can be very easy to get wrapped up in all the craziness of wrapping gifts, shopping, and seeing family. While all these things are a big part of the holidays, most people tend to forget what some would call the most important part of season, giving back.

Giving back to your community can be done in all different ways. Small and large acts both have the ability to change someone’s life. What many people don’t realize is that there are tons of things that can be done right in Verona.

One of the easiest ways to get involved is through an organization or group. The Our Lady of the Lake Church does many things to help people who need it such as having a toy drive for children in need. Inside the church there is a Christmas tree with tags as ornaments. The tags each have a different type of toy on it. You can take a tag from the tree and bring back the toy on the tag wrapped up and place it under the tree.

One organization that does a lot for the community is the OLL youth group.  Although it is located at the church, you don’t have to be Catholic to get involved, any religion is welcomed. Once a part of this group, you can participate in going to soup kitchens, donating food for the hungry, and volunteering to babysit children while their parents shop for Christmas, among many other things.

For high schoolers, there are things you can get involved in right at VHS. A great way to give back is by donating a toy through the Hawkins School Toy Drive. By donating a toy, you help a child feel the excitement of receiving a toy on Christmas day. You could also take part in the coat drive and provide a coat to those who need it.

Another way to help the community is by giving a non perishable food item to the Verona Fire Department. They will take the food and give it someone who is in need.  

All of these things might seem small, but they aren’t small to the people that they help. During this holiday season, try not to get wrapped up in all the gifts you want, but remember all that you have, and give back to those who don’t have as much. If everyone does their part, it really becomes the most wonderful time of the year.