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.
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.
For others, it’s not so happy. It’s cold outside, and inside too, for those who can’t afford to heat their homes. Making ends meet can be hard, and the added pressure to purchase gifts for loved ones can be stressful.
We encourage everyone this year to remember the old saying, “It is better to give than to receive.” Not only will giving back make you feel good, it’s the cornerstone of what makes a good community.
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 — your time. We’ve 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.)
But whether it’s “adopting” 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 — don’t forget to give back this month. It’s truly the best way to get in the holiday spirit.
12 local volunteering/donating suggestions:
• St. Vincent de Paul’s Adopt-A-Family Christmas Program: 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.
• The Glory Hole, Juneau’s downtown soup kitchen and homeless shelter.
• Sock/Underwear Drive: Rainforest Recovery Center is seeking socks and underwear donations to go to Bartlett Regional Hospital’s Emergency Service Program. Socks and underwear must be new and for adults. You can find the drop-off box in BRH’s front entrance or Rainforest’s 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.
• Southeast Alaska Food Bank: Juneau’s food bank accepts food items year-round, but during the holidays there are additional needs.
• Not a people person? Consider donating cat and dog food during the pet food drive hosted by the Grateful Dogs of Juneau. Grateful Dogs is collecting the pet food on behalf of Southeast Alaska Food Bank clients’ pets. The drive is from Dec. 12-18, and the pet food can be dropped off at Southeast Alaska Animal Medical Center.
• AWARE, Aiding Women in Abuse and Rape Emergencies: A shelter “wish list” is available online at http://awareak.org/how-to-help/shelter-wish-list/. Specifically for the holidays, the organization is requesting new, unwrapped toys for children of all ages, wrapping paper and bags, and craft supplies (beads, ribbon, glitter, fabric scraps, molding clay, etc.) Please call AWARE at 586-6623 before bringing by donations to let them know you’re coming by.
• Juneau Pioneers Home: Visit with a senior.
• Shop with a Cop, hosted by the Capital City Chapter of the Alaska Peace Officers Association.
• Are you a trail lover? Consider donating to Trail Mix, the nonprofit that maintains the trail systems in Juneau.
• Juneau Mountain Rescue, a nonprofit whose volunteers rescue lost hikers and hunters
• Christmas Night Light Flights: Good for those not scared of heights, and for those who want to donate to the Children’s Tumor Foundation and Lions Club projects. A quick helicopter ride over the Mendenhall Valley, courtesy of Coastal Helicopters and the Mendenhall Flying Lions Club. Tickets are $30 donation per person. First-come, first-served. Friday, Dec. 16, from 4:30-7:30 at Gate 1 in the North Wing of the Juneau International Airport. For more information contact Soapy Lingle at 723-4121.
• United Way: If none of these options interest you, then call United Way of Southeast Alaska. They work with many local and regional nonprofit agencies and can match your generosity with the the right group or cause.
Note: The Empire compiled this list without collaborating with any agencies, and it is not comprehensive. There are many more social service organizations out there, and many other worthy causes. If your agency or organization would like to be added to this list, please email editor@juneauempire.com and we will try to add it online. We may also print this list again, with updates.)
