50 Ways to Give on Giving Tuesday

Giving Tuesday

By Anna Hessel with Wes Hessel

It’s Giving Tuesday – time to donate funds to organizations that we support, but also find ways of giving of ourselves and our time. Here are some unique ideas for ways to give back to the community:

1. Take a plate of food, cookies, or a card to an elderly or disabled neighbor
2. Drop some magazines or books at a local hospital for their waiting areas
3. Offer to babysit so someone can holiday shop or run errands
4. Watch the person a caregiver takes care of so they can get out for errands or have a little me time
5. Drop a few dollars or spare change in a red kettle
6. Call a friend or relative just to say hello
7. Rake someone’s leaves
8. Mow someone’s lawn
9. Shovel someone’s drive or walkway
10. Make some calls for your favorite political candidate(s)
11. Start a postcard campaign for your favorite political organization
12. Begin a petition to right a wrong
13. Run for a local political office
14. Mail cards to our service men and women
15. Volunteer at a local animal shelter or your library
16. Don’t forget Toys for Tots with a new unwrapped toy – every child deserves a toy for Christmas or Hanukkah
17. Offer a ride to a neighbor that does not have access to a car or can’t drive
18. Decorate an outdoor tree for Christmas
19. Add some sparkle to someone’s day with a small gift just because
20. Organize a sled race or set up a hot chocolate stand for charity
21. Run an errand for someone
22. Pay it forward in the drive-through (or inside line)
23. Pull a child in a sled or throw a ball for them to catch
24. Build a snowman with someone
25. Use your expertise, be it professional or hobby, to benefit someone: a free haircut, manicure, house cleaning, legal advice
26. Pass out free hug coupons, cookies, or homemade fudge in your office or neighborhood
27. Freecycle or Trash Nothing something
28. Foster or adopt a rescue animal
29. Play fetch with a neighbor’s dog or catch with a neighbor kid
30. Set up a feral cat box on your porch with hay, fresh water, and a small bowl of food
31. Make homemade cards or tree ornaments to pass out
32. Take an angel off the giving tree and buy a gift to brighten someone’s holiday
33. Give someone a smile – it’s always free, and it might just make their day
34. Make a nice lunch or dinner to surprise somebody
35. Donate to a good pantry or little library
36. Make time for loved ones, like coffee or a spa day together
37. Take time for yourself because you can’t help anyone if you aren’t well yourself
38. Post something cute on social media to brighten someone’s day
39. Order a meal delivery for a friend as a surprise (just make sure someone is there to accept the delivery)
40. Tip generously
41. Help a neighbor decorate for the holidays
42. Offer to do someone’s shopping, laundry, house cleaning, or cooking
43. Drop flowers off at a retirement community or hospital
44. Donate pet food to an animal shelter – they can use older towels and blankets, too
45. Send thank you notes to first responders or government employees
46. Volunteer as a court advocate
47. Share someone’s good work on social media
48. Take a minute to talk to a business’ manger or owner to complement an employee
49. Make time to really listen to someone who needs a shoulder to cry on
50. Be sure to thank those selfless community volunteers whenever you can