Today we will be talking about this season of Paying It Forward: whether it’s donating, giving, helping, sharing, doing…. ways that all of us can get involved.

Giving Tuesday: Tuesday Nov 28 was National Giving Tuesday – a day to shed light on donating to worthy causes both locally and nationally.  Donating money to these causes can happen on any day this season if you missed this!

• Donate to a cause special to you
• Donate locally to a business that helps others
• Donate to someone walking, running, riding, or working for a cause
• You can donate blood, plasma or palates.
• You can also be a bone marrow donor.

Volunteering as a family: A lot of events happen during the holidays; how can you get involved?

http://www.doinggoodtogether.org/bhf/12-tips-for-holiday-volunteering/

• Sponsor a child/family – local organizations have lists of families in need with items that can be donated (gifts, housewares, warm clothing, blankets, food)
• Pass the cards – make homemade cards and deliver to nursing homes, homeless shelters, hospitals
• Making blankets – no sew blankets are great for hospitals and nursing homes
• Create a giving jar/box – at home, just like the ones we see in stores; collect money as a family and decide together where to donate it
• Paying visits – spending time at hospitals and nursing homes (pending good health) can mean the world to many who are especially lonely this time of year
• Baking/Cooking – making treats for neighbors, friends, work, those in need
• Collecting for Troops – creating care packages for necessities while they’re away

Anaya and I will be talking about the different places you can get volunteer at. Check out our list below:

• Community Centers
• Veteran’s Hall
• Homeless shelter
• Food banks
• Church charities
• Children’s Hospital
• Animal shelters
• Meals on Wheels

We discuss the items that are the most helpful to donate if giving to a Women’s shelter or a homeless shelter. Look at some of the items below that they ask for frequently:

• Tooth Brush, tooth paste, dental floss
• Band-Aids
• Bras, Underwear and pajamas
• Neosporin and Cortisone Cream
• Nail Clippers
• Baby Wipes and diapers
• Thick Socks
• Batteries
• Feminine hygiene products
• Anti-diarrhea tablets
• Toiletries (deodorant, soap, shampoo, mouthwash, cotton swabs razors etc.)
• Cosmetics and nail polish – These items can help some women feel better about their appearance, especially for job interviews.
• Bus passes and gas cards – They spend a lot of time trying to get around while searching for employment, looking for housing and keeping various appointments.
• Cell phones – Old phones may be given to women to use in case of an emergency or to provide a contact number for job applications. If the shelter can’t use the phones themselves, they may be able to receive funds for them through an exchange program.
• Either new or gently used jackets for adults and children, hats, scarves, and gloves for those that live in colder climates.

Check out these websites if you need further information on how you can help out:

https://www.homelessshelterdirectory.org

https://mom.me/lifestyle/25216-10-donation-items-womens-shelters-need/

https://bethematch.org/

https://www.15-40.org/

Let’s make this season and the new year a time of kindness towards others. Buy the person in front of you a coffee, buy a family a dinner, tip extra to your wait staff.

Let us as Busy Ladies try and make a difference in the world around us. Show friends, family and acquaintances how easy it is to make a difference in someone’s life.