Whether it’s the threat of being on Santa’s Naughty list or the general happy spirits brought about by the holidays, everyone knows it’s the season of giving. So aside from catching up with the people we miss, here are 8 ways to give love (and time) to those who need it most.
Everyone needs love this Christmas. The Anawim Home for God’s Poor is a small facility of poor and abandoned elderly people in Rizal province. You can volunteer your time, give your support online by liking their page and spreading the word, donate to the Anawim Lay Missions, or take a day-off to visit the elderly and put a smile on their face.
Jollibee Maaga ang Pasko is now on its 20^th year with the same premise of giving kids a happier Christmas by donating toys and books. You can drop them off in all Jollibee branches or in partner schools and offices. If you don’t have any to give (if you have no kids at home), you can donate online! You can also be a Jolly Family Toy Scout and help with clean-up and Jollibee’s Gift Giving Caravan!
Kythe is a non-profit organization to help hospitalized children with cancer and other chronic illness. The Kythe Child Life Program is a way to understand the kids more through play.
Coordinate with Kythe to sign up, to be oriented and to be a volunteer. Of course, you can also help by donating. Visit their website for more details.
Formerly known as Golden Acres, the Department of Social Welfare and Development has the Haven for the Elderly, a temporary home for the abandoned and neglected senior citizens. You can volunteer and provide assistance through care-giving, medical support, landscaping or gardening – basically, whatever you feel you can help with. You can also coordinate with them and have your own activities with the elderly.
Give Love on Christmas Day is an annual Christmas project that was formed in December 2010 as a way for the founders to pay it forward. Their “Pasko na Sintas Ko” is a fundraising project for Destiny’s Promise Home for Children Foundation RastacLOVE costs only 50PHP but can go a long way! On December 7, they’ll be visiting the orphanage so leave them a message if you’re interested in joining!
 

Do you love museums and want to share that love with kids? In line with its 20^th anniversary, For Museo Pambata will be holding its annual Gift Giving Activity on December 14. They’ll be treating 1,000 children from all over the metro to a museum tour with exciting performances and Christmas goodies. Contact them if you want to take part!
Spoiler alert: Santa isn’t real. But his story of giving joy and happiness to others is as real as ever with iVolunteer’s Operation: Christmas Elf. Starting November 24, iVolunteer will be posting wish lists of various NGOs on their Facebook page. Just pick any list that you want to fulfill and get your friends and family to help out, too! You can also ask iVolunteer to keep you updated on all the lists so that you are tagged as soon as they are released!
Check out their website for more opportunities to volunteer this Christmas and the rest of the year!
Project: Brave Kids is an organization that helps kids wage a war against cancer. Join these brave kids for their Christmassaya 2014 on December 6 as a volunteer or as a donor. Volunteer briefing is on November 29. Visit their Facebook page for more details!
 

For all the foodies out there, you can also donate through The Breakfast Table in Maginhawa, Quezon City and sponsor a Christmas breakfast for a child fighting cancer at Philippine Children’s Medical Center. Donations start at 150 php.

There are actually a lot more ways to give back this holiday season so go and find an organization that fits you best! Also, if you’re too busy this Christmas, don’t worry! Giving should not be limited to this season but all year round so you can still contact these organizations!
Do you know other places to volunteer? Let us know in the Comments Section below!