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The holidays are a wonderful time of year to focus a little extra on generosity, kindness, and showing love to those around us—and supporting our local communities is no exception. After a year full of uplifting Mainers through financial wellness, fundraising, volunteerism, and so much more, Maine’s credit unions do not falter when it comes to joining in on the festive fun.
If your credit union is looking for a way to get involved and give back during this season of giving, 20 different ideas and opportunities are outlined below:
- Coordinate a holiday food drive or inventory your pantry and donate unexpired nonperishables that you do not need to a local food bank.
- Similarly, collect pet items for a local animal shelter.
- Make a monetary donation to an organization you care about.
- Spend time volunteering with a local charity of choice, such as an animal shelter, a hunger relief organization, a community gathering and/or parade, and more. Consider using your lunch hour!
- Take this opportunity to educate the children in your life about hunger in Maine and across the country. With food insecurity impacting every county in the country, awareness is the first step in joining the fight against hunger.
- Donate unused items that are brand new or in good condition. Additionally, you can donate items that are high in demand—whether that be at local schools, shelters, pantries, or other community organizations.
- Find a way to give a gift that gives back, such as making a donation in someone’s name.
- Educate your children about financial well-being and how to manage money.
- Make and send holiday cards; you may want to send them to those fighting for our country overseas, local law enforcement officials, emergency service personnel, community organizations, and hospitals.
- Purchase gifts for those in need, possibly through Toys for Tots or other giving trees.
- Sponsor a local family to provide gifts and brighten their holiday season.
- Pay for the order of the person in line behind you.
- If you’re at the grocery store, you can offer to pay for someone else’s groceries.
- Visit a senior center or nursing home to spread some holiday cheer.
- Assemble care packages for the homeless.
- Purchase and leave winter items (coats, scarves, hats, mittens/gloves, etc.) in public spaces (parks, community centers, etc.) with tags on them letting people know that anyone in need can take whatever items they require to get through the winter in a safe, healthy way. Alternatively, donate these kinds of items to any organization with the need for them so they can be distributed to the community.
- Bake homemade goodies for neighbors, friends, family, and/or first responders.
- Host a fundraiser, whether it be a bake sale, craft sale, book sale, or anything else you feel compelled to facilitate in support of the community.
- Offer to help a neighbor or loved one with household chores and tasks.
- Donate old books you no longer need to a library.
While the season of giving is nearing its end, the League knows acts of service, kindness towards others, and community service will remain top priorities for our credit unions beyond the holidays. In fact, part of what makes Maine’s credit union movement so special is the ongoing effort made by all credit union advocates to demonstrate People Helping People in all we do. For that, we thank you and commend your dedication to creating a better Maine for all.