4 ways to give back during the holliday season

BY BROOKLYN MCKINNEY

Multimedia Journalist

Christmas is just around the corner, and what makes this beloved holiday so special isn’t the red and green decorations flooding the aisles of local stores, the holiday-edition releases and Black Friday sales that incite mobs of overenthusiastic consumers, or even the joy that comes from unwrapping presents from relatives and friends.

The atmosphere of Christmas is filled with the spirit of generosity. It’s a season when people are willing to create the same wonder and nostalgia they experienced when they were young for the people around them.

Shared traditions other than gift giving usually include activities that bring us closer to the holiday spirit, like decorating Christmas trees, hanging up stockings and baking Christmas cookies.

But for those who haven’t already, I propose that they start a new tradition. What better way to foster joy among families and communities than giving to those in need?

Here are at least four ways residents can give back to the Stephenville community this holiday season.

1. Donating or volunteering for local food drives

With the removal of SNAP Benefits due to government shutdowns, it’s become more important than ever to feed hungry communities around America. The newly founded Bosque River Review is hosting a campus food drive at Tarleton State University to combat this issue.

Organizers will be reading poetry and collecting nonperishable food items for the Purple Pantry on Nov. 20 at 5:30 p.m., in room 116 of the OA Grant building.

The Purple Goat also partnered with Interbank to collect canned food in Stephenville, and Faith Lutheran Church is preparing and delivering meals for Erath County’s Meals on Wheels program.

Contact Lisa Strobel at 254-968-2710 for more information or go to Faith Lutheran Church at 9 a.m. on Christmas Eve.

2. Giving gifts to kids and families in need

Anyone in Stephenville can pick out an angel from a tree with a wish list of Christmas presents to shop for at local businesses like the Not Too Shabby thrift and consignment store, Triple Crown Ford dealership, Bealls and many more.

People in Texas and other states around the U.S. can also fill shoeboxes with gifts and drop them off for Operation Christmas Child. Locations in Stephenville include First Christian Church and Valley Grove Baptist Church. Visit their website for more information on drop off times for each location.

Donations for Stephenville’s Shop with a Cop event are also being accepted by First Financial Bank and local law enforcement agencies. On Dec. 19 cops will be escorting kids in need to breakfast and a shopping trip for clothes, shoes and a toy. Anyone can sponsor one of these children and fund their experience for $250.

The next best thing to presents is stockings, and Court Appointed Special Advocates has created an Amazon wish list called “Stuff the Stockings” to provide goodies for their foster children. Visit the Stephenville’s Chamber of Commerce for more information. Paluxy River Children’s Advocacy Center is aiming to raise $1,500 so their foster kids can also have stockings by Dec. 6. Donate online or drop off contributions at their Stephenville office at 1359 South Loop, Suite A.

3. Clothing donations

To spread warmth throughout the community this holiday season, consider donating clothing items and even toiletries to families in need.

For new moms, Choices Life Resource Center is now accepting baby wipes, diapers and gently used maternity clothes. The Stephenville Association of Realtors is accepting donations for their annual Shoes for Christmas event at the shoe department on Dec. 14.

4. Donating toys or volunteering at toy drives

For children expecting Santa to ride in with a sleigh of new toys, give the gift that keeps on giving.

The Stephenville Fire Department will now be accepting unwrapped toys for Optimist Club Toys for Kids at Walmart on Nov. 30, Dec. 1, 7, and 8 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Toys can also be dropped off at the fire station through Dec. 9. Call Harriet Frazier at 254-485-2960 if you would like to learn more about volunteer opportunities.

People can also donate more toys, clothing, diapers, blankets or money for infants and kids up to 5 years old at Upbring Headstart Center. Items can be dropped off Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 1010 South Graham Ave. They will be accepting donations until Dec. 13.

Whether you’re volunteering at a food bank or helping Grandma make the pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving, never forget the spirit of generosity that makes the holidays such a happy time. Kind hearts and helping hands are the gifts that keep on giving.