Page 11 - DEC2022

December 2022 NEWFOUNDLAKELIFE.COM Page 11
formation, check out www.au- dobon.org.
For those looking for a holiday-themed service:
Contact your local Salvation Army for availability by ringing the bell or find an Angel Tree near you where you purchase gifts for a child in need.
Random Act of Kindness Sprees: Another fun family idea that can be done anytime throughout the year is a random act of kindness spree. Discuss as a family your budget, from spending no money to perhaps $50 to $100. Next, discuss what ideas you have or ways you want to spend money, if any. Some ideas are paying for people’s cof- fee, handing out flowers, pick- ing up trash in the community, bringing a meal to a homeless shelter, shoveling a neighbor’s driveway, washing a friend’s car, or paying for someone’s grocer- ies, etc.
There are opportunities all around us to give back, and you’re never too young or old to get started!
Aligning Your Passion and Service to Others at Any Age
By lauRa BRusseau
Numerous studies show that giving back to your community benefits all that are involved.
In some cases, it helps an individual to gain self-con- fidence and learn about the world around them. They can gain valuable life skills that they can transfer into a profession or higher education, and it can pique new interests. It can also form new friendships, and above all else, it teaches about grati- tude and that the power to make change is inside all of us.
Many people don’t know where to start, and an easy first step is to think about your pas- sion and strengths and where that may align with giving back. Here are some ideas to get you started:
For those that prefer to give back using the arts:
Making cards for Veterans is a great way to channel your artistic side while cheering up the reader! Honor Flight New England takes WWII, Ko- rean, and Vietnam Veterans to Washington D.C twice a year free of charge, and one of the most memorable moments of the trip is “Mail Call” If you’d like to thank a Veteran for their service, you can mail cards to Honor Flight New England 193 Londonderry Turnpike Unit 4, Hooksett NH 03106. Our very own Veterans Home in Til- ton would also love to receive cards! Cards can be mailed to 139 Winter Street, Tilton, NH 03276.
Making blankets for children in need. Project Linus has deliv- ered over 9,000,000 since 1995. Families can make a quilt, fleece blanket, or knitted afghans. Ac- cording to their website www. projectlinus.org, there is a drop- off location in the Lakes Region.
Love music? Put on a char- ity concert and donate to your favorite organization.
Local Artist? Create a gal-
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Socks and feminine products are some of the most requested items at homeless shelters. You could also put on a food drive to benefit one of the local food banks. Many humane societies have a wish list and need sup- plies too!.
Locks for Love has been around since 1997 and helps children with medical hair loss. To learn if you can donate your hair or plan a locks for love event, check out: www.lockso- flove.org.
To host a blood drive for the American Red Cross, reach out to your local office.
For those that want to volunteer outside:
Reach out to your local snow- mobile club, Belknap Range Trail Tenders (BRATTS), Squam Lakes Association, Newfound Lakes Association, Prescott Farms Environmental Center, or the New England Mountain Bike Association (NEMBA) for trail days.
Wreaths Across America
lery to educate on a topic, or do- nate one of your masterpieces to a local raffle or auction that ben- efits your favorite cause.
For those that prefer to give back by buying sup- plies:
Many nonprofits have a wishlist on their website. You can order items and have them directly shipped to the organi- zation or take your family on a shopping spree and drop off the donations directly!
Operation Christmas Child Sa- maritan’s Purse-there goal is to give to those in need by send- ing shoeboxes of gifts and ne- cessities to children in over 100 countries. More information can be found at www.samari- tanspurse.org.
Lakes Region Children’s Auction is now collecting new unwrapped gift certificates, electronics, ex- periences, household items, tickets, tools, and toys! Local col- lection sites include Lee’s Candy Kitchen In Plymouth and Tap- ply Thompson Community Center in Bristol.
Toys for Tots will have a collec- tion site for new and unwrapped toys at the Plymouth Walmart on December 3rd from 10 am-2 pm.
For those that prefer to cook and bake!
Reach out to your local homeless shelter and prepare a meal to cook and serve! Many shelters in the area have time slots available, whether you want to do it once or make it a monthly family tradition. To call the Bridge House in Plymouth, dial 603.238.9016 or fill out the volunteer form online at www. tbhshelter.org. To contact the Salvation Army in Laconia, dial 603.524.1834
Families can also contact local humane shelters and ask if they accept homemade dog treats.
is on December 17th this year. For more information on how to donate or participate, check out www.wreathsacrossamerica.org
For those that want to volunteer with animals:
New Hampshire Humane Society has volunteer opportu- nities for ages 5 and up! Some opportunities based on age, among other criteria, include: reading to the cats through the Telling Tails Program, walking dogs, cleaning, and dog for a day program. Other local shel- ters include the Franklin Animal Shelter, Lakes Region Humane, and Conway Area Humane So- ciety.
The Squam Lakes Science Center has excellent volunteer- ing opportunities. For more in- formation, call 603.968.7194 x 122.
The Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) helps the Audu- bon Society with bird popula- tion data. Families can sign up for times as little as 15 minutes! The event usually takes place a week in February. For more in-
For those that want to start an item collection or
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