Volunteer, give back this holiday season

The holiday season is officially upon us, and it’s is one of my favorite times of the year. I love hanging Collectible Texas locomotive ornaments on the Christmas tree, filling the house with scents of fresh cookies and gingerbread men and wrapping countless gifts with brightly colored bows and ribbons.

I will always cherish memories of holidays from my childhood, like the thrill of opening that first red and green wrapped package, or hearing Elvis Presley’s voice fill my house with dreams of a white Christmas.

I also love that this season tends to make everyone realize what they’re thankful for: family, friends, food and shelter — the list goes on and on.

But the sobering reality of the holiday season is that some people in the world do not have the same blessings to be thankful for. This is where the generosity of society comes into play. When it comes to volunteering, there is no easier time to do so than the holiday season.

The opportunities to contribute your time are endless: ringing the Salvation Army bell, helping at food pantries and soup kitchens or donating old winter clothing.

Even though the holiday season often sparks feelings of kindness and generosity, we need to realize that these good deeds shouldn’t be reserved solely for November and December. Call it cliche, but the ultimate goal is to spread this seasonal goodwill throughout the whole year.

So, when you’re walking into your local grocery store this month and hear the familiar clanging of the Salvation Army bell, take a moment to throw some spare change in — every effort counts. But there’s no need to stop there. Volunteer at a nursing home in March, donate some money to the charity of your choice in July or even pick up trash in your community in October. In essence, the holiday season is not the only time to offer help to those in need.