What Does Giving Back Mean?
As the weather gets colder, many individuals struggling with homelessness or addiction face a new set of challenges. Although the holidays are thought to bring a sense of joy and cheer, they can be incredibly stressful for many.
For those who have the means to give back to our community, it can mean experiencing a joyous holiday season for someone who may be going through a difficult time. From donating old jackets and winter clothes to volunteering your time to provide warm meals for the hungry, giving back can improve a life more than you might know.
Different Ways to Give Back
When you think of donating to the people in need in your community, there are more than a few ways to make a difference. Money, items, and time can all be given to help out those who may be less fortunate, especially during the holiday season.
Calgary Dream Centre offers a multitude of ways to give back, from volunteering to donating goods.
Volunteering
Volunteering your time to help your community is a great way to be a force for change in the city, and companies that work to improve lives are always in search of volunteers. Calgary Dream Centre has several individual and group opportunities if volunteering interests you as a way to give back to those in need.
If you’re interested in volunteering alone, you may want to explore options like:
- Administrative or clerical work
- Joining a committee or board to make important decisions
- Offer help with life skills you’re particularly good at, like financial literacy
- Help to prepare and serve meals, coffee, and tea
- Assist with minor repairs, like clogged drains and broken baseboards
Alternatively, if you have a group of friends or colleagues that would like to spend some time volunteering, there are many group options to take advantage of. For example:
- Community housing cleanup
- Help run special events hosted by the Calgary Dream Centre
- Sponsor a meal with monetary donations to provide special lunches or dinners
- Serve and interact with members of the community through recreational activities
Volunteering is normally a great way to give back. However, for the 2020 Holiday Season, in-person volunteering is currently not an option at the Calgary Dream Centre due to COVID-19. For the latest updates about volunteering, please contact us.
Monetary Donations
Breaking the cycle of addiction and homelessness is a long, bumpy road. Monetary donations of any size are incredibly abbreviated and help turn lives in poverty into lives with purpose.
Not-for-profit organizations rely on generous donations to continue to offer individuals a safe refuge to get on the path to recovery and happiness. Meal service, warm beds, and recreational activities can contribute to getting individuals off the streets and onto the path to recovery.
Although never obligatory, monetary donations go far beyond the cash value provided. They are the stepping stones to breaking the cycle of poverty.
At the Calgary Dream Centre, this Christmas we’re raising money for Days of Recovery. For $75, you can sponsor 1 day of recovery for someone in your community.
Donating Goods
Beyond monetary donations, giving goods and supplies can help organizations like the Calgary Dream Centre continue to help people get back on their feet. Specialized recovery programs focus on assisting individuals in navigating the challenges of ending a toxic relationship with addiction.
The Calgary Dream Centre offers participants food, housing, basic toiletries, fitness classes, and classes on essential life skills to help them on the road to recovery. Donations to support these individuals are highly appreciated and can make a significant difference in someone’s life.
Donations of goods and supplies you can donate include:
- Gently worn or new apparel
- Winter jackets, boots, etc.
- Dress apparel, like suits and ties
- Work apparel, like overalls, work boots, etc.
- New socks
- New underwear
- Household items
- Furniture
- Kitchen items
- Cleaning supplies, like vacuums
- Bedding
- Towels
- Light bulbs
- Recreation equipment
- Sporting equipment
- Exercise equipment
- Board games
- Food
- Non-perishable items
- Meat
- Fresh produce
- Bakery items
- Toiletries
- Razors
- Shaving cream
- Shampoo/conditioner
- Soap
- Lip chap
- Toothpaste
- Toothbrushes
- Feminine hygiene products
- Miscellaneous
- Backpacks
- Sleeping bags
- Hand warmers
- Electronics
- Travel mugs
- Water bottles
- COVID-19 donations
- Latex gloves
- Masks
- Disinfectant spray & wipes
- Toilet paper
- Paper towel
- Dry storage food
- Frozen vegetables & meals
- Games & puzzles
- Hygiene products
The holidays don’t have to be stressful for everyone. If you can give, please consider deciding to do so. If you’re interested in how else you can give back to the community this holiday season, the Calgary Dream Centre has a selection of recovery resources, events, and partnership opportunities available to help you make a difference.
