10 Ways to Volunteer other than Working at a Soup Kitchen this Holiday Season In and Around Tarrytown

With Thanksgiving approaching and #GivingTuesday only 12 days away, the holiday season is here. What better way to spread holiday cheer than to spend your time volunteering in your community. While the traditional soup kitchen is always a good option (remaining spaces are limited and usually require a reservation), we have a bunch of other opportunities as well, that may be of interest to you or someone you know. Try out one of these great options and make it a new part of your holiday tradition. Go to volunteernewyork.org/holiday for a full list of active holiday volunteering opps.

Deliver Holiday Packages to Seniors

On the Sundays before Rosh Hashanah, Chanukah and Passover, hundreds of volunteers will visit seniors in their homes all over Westchester and bring gift packages of traditional foods and holiday items. Become one of those volunteers! Find out more here.

Give a Child a Gift this Christmas in White Plains

Now through December 12th, donate toys to My Sisters’ Place Holiday Drive. They are looking for new and unused toys and gifts for all ages for the holidays. Find out more information here.

Ever dream of being Santa’s helper? Well here’s your chance.

WestCOP in Tarrytown, NY is looking for volunteers to assist with handing out presents to children. Find out more information here.

Be a Musical Performer for Holiday Meals in White Plains

Use your musical talents to help set the mood at one of Grace Church Community Center’s holiday meal celebrations. Find out more information here.

Give Thanks Wrap-a-Thon in Ossining

Wrap a few extra gifts this holiday season! Join Open Door Family Medical Centers at their Holiday Toy Drive to benefit young patients. Find out more information here.

Join Packing Day for Operation Defend the Holidays in Mahopac

Show our brave men and women serving in the U.S. Military that we are proud. Help make life while at war a little better for them by collecting food, money, and goods that the military does not provide. Find out more information here.

Get involved in the 2014 Basket Brigade

“One small act of generosity on the part of one caring person can transform the lives of hundreds”, the New York Basket Brigade is built on this simple notion. Join the movement and prepare one basket to personally deliver to a needy family or individual. Find out more information here.

Perform Social Media Outreach and Fundraising for the Westchester Christmas Dinner

Spend a lot of time using social media? Put you’re your skills to good use and help the Westchester Christmas Dinner. Have other interests, the Westchester Christmas Dinner could still you’re your help. Find out more information here.

Set-up a Thanksgiving Dinner in Mohegan Lake

Give thanks to the community and help set-up Thanksgiving Dinner at the Community Food Pantry at St. Mary’s. Find out more information here.

Donate Food for the Holidays in Elmsford

The Food Bank of Westchester is looking for all types of goodies and food items to prepare for their holiday food drives. Consider donating a few nonperishable items to help the effort. Find out more information here.

Bonus Opportunity: #Giving Tuesday

Heard of Black Friday or Cyber Monday, now add #GivingTuesday to your list of traditions this holiday season. Before you shop for early bird deals, make a pledge to volunteer in celebration of #GivingTuesday. The movement will inspire people to take collaborative action to improve their local communities, give back in better, smarter ways to the charities and causes they support and help create a better world. Volunteering during this time of year is also a great way to give back with out spending a single dollar!

To find out more information on how to get involved for #GivingTuesday, check out http://www.volunteernewyork.org/givingtuesday.

To access Lohud’s list of local nonprofits, visit http://data.lohud.com/lohudcares/.

If you are ready to support Volunteer New York!, visit our donation page, http://www.volunteernewyork.org/donate.