Most of us consider the holiday season to be one of the most wonderful times of the year where we get to spend time with family and enjoy each other's company. At the same time, holidays can be very busy. It is important to find time, as a family, to celebrate the true spirit of the season in serving together and giving back to the community. Putting a smile on another person's face is one of the ways we can make a positive difference in the life of others and instill the values of kindness, compassion and community responsibility.
The Bakken invitation program
The Bakken Invitation Program connects and celebrates people, who are beneficiaries of medical technology, and are contributing all round the world through volunteerism and charity. Based on the legacy of Medtronic co-founder Earl Bakken, the program recognizes and rewards 10 Bakken Invitation Honorees for their contributions. Click the image below to read the lessons in living and giving from the survivors.
You may not be a beneficiary of medical technology, but there are still ways to give back to others. Giving back doesn't mean you have to give a huge donation, any simple thing you do can go a long way in making someone else enjoy the holiday season.
- Adopt a family in need. Every year Z.E.N.’s school adopts a few families in need and asks all of the students to participate in providing a gift to all family members. This is such a simple way to give back.
- Donate to kids in need. Find a children's home or a community organization accepting donations. When your kids are writing down their holiday shopping lists, ask them to include a toy they would like to give to a needy child in the community. You can all pick a gift, wrap it and write a card to go with it.
- Surprise a neighbor. During the holidays, why not spare some time to bake some cookies for an elderly neighbor or cook a warm meal for a new neighbor. Such simple acts to spread cheer always seem to make us feel much better as a members of the community.
- Join a community race. I have signed up and participated in a couple of races in the past that contribute to charities my family supports. It's quite simple, just find a race and encourage your friends and family to join in. it's always a great feeling and you also get to engage in a fitness activity.
- Pick up litter. Join hands as a family and gear up to clean up your local park, river or streets. It's always plenty of fun and you can ask friends and neighbors to join in the effort and make a difference. If possible, take photos and videos to create lasting memories.
- Create a giving jar. Almost all of us have given some money to a cause we believe in. One of our favorite charities is Doctors Without Borders and we try to give to them whenever we can. We can teach our kids the value of giving by creating a giving box together. This offers the perfect opportunity to converse with them about sharing and giving to the needy. Put the jar in a place in your home and encourage each member of your family to donate something at least each week. When it's full, you can sit together and decide where to donate the gifts or money you've collected over time.
Imagine all the good you could do if you had $100 to give back? Enter this giveaway for a chance to win a $100 gift card. The winner of this giveaway is free to choose how the money is spent, but the goal is that it should be used to benefit the community in some way.
Thank you to Medtronic for sponsoring today’s post and inspiring me to give back to my community!
