The sun is setting at 3 p.m., coffee shops are selling peppermint mochas, Eaglecrest Ski Area is open, and Santa Claus is already making guest appearances around town. All the signs are here: the holidays are upon us.<\/p>\n
December can be a beautiful, magical month in Juneau, especially when fresh snow blankets the mountains and the homes are lit up with Christmas lights, cozy and glowing.<\/p>\n
For others, it\u2019s not so happy. It\u2019s cold outside, and inside too, for those who can\u2019t afford to heat their homes. Making ends meet can be hard, and the added pressure to purchase gifts for loved ones can be stressful.<\/p>\n
We encourage everyone this year to remember the old saying, \u201cIt is better to give than to receive.\u201d Not only will giving back make you feel good, it\u2019s the cornerstone of what makes a good community.<\/p>\n
There are so many local opportunities to give back this holiday season. Off the tops of our heads, we can think of dozens of agencies that would be grateful for not just gifts and donations, but perhaps the most precious gift of all \u2014 your time. We\u2019ve compiled a few ideas on how to give back below, for those who may be looking for a new way to serve fellow community members. (We picked 12 ideas for the 12 days of Christmas.)<\/p>\n
But whether it\u2019s \u201cadopting\u201d a family and buying them all Christmas gifts, or just a simple act such as visiting with a senior at the Pioneer Home or buying a cup of coffee for someone out on the streets \u2014 don\u2019t forget to give back this month. It\u2019s truly the best way to get in the holiday spirit.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
12 local volunteering\/donating suggestions:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2022 St. Vincent de Paul\u2019s Adopt-A-Family Christmas Program:<\/em> You can adopt a family to buy Christmas gifts for, or you can simply bring by new unwrapped gifts, gift cards or money for Christmas gifts. Last year, the program benefitted 400 local children. Contact SVDP at 789-5535 Ext. 7 for more information. SVDP also seeks volunteers year-round to help with their thrift store, to be there to play a game of chess or hike with seniors, or to mentor children.<\/p>\n \u2022 The Glory Hole<\/em>, Juneau\u2019s downtown soup kitchen and homeless shelter.<\/p>\n \u2022 Sock\/Underwear Drive:<\/em> Rainforest Recovery Center is seeking socks and underwear donations to go to Bartlett Regional Hospital\u2019s Emergency Service Program. Socks and underwear must be new and for adults. You can find the drop-off box in BRH\u2019s front entrance or Rainforest\u2019s lobby. Front Street Community Health Center, 225 Front St., also accepts new sock donations for men and women in need. The health center is also specifically seeking donations of hats and gloves this winter, as well as travel-size hygiene items such as shampoo, conditioner, soap and lotion.<\/p>\n \u2022 Southeast Alaska Food Bank:<\/em> Juneau\u2019s food bank accepts food items year-round, but during the holidays there are additional needs.<\/p>\n \u2022 Not a people person? Consider donating cat and dog food during the pet food drive hosted by the Grateful Dogs of Juneau<\/em>. Grateful Dogs is collecting the pet food on behalf of Southeast Alaska Food Bank clients\u2019 pets. The drive is from Dec. 12-18, and the pet food can be dropped off at Southeast Alaska Animal Medical Center.<\/p>\n