There are lots of ways to do good during the holidays and beyond…and get social, too!  Here are some ideas on ways to help during toy drives and meet like minded folks.

At age 75, Cheryl Malloy is a powerhouse of dedication, spending the past nine years as a volunteer with San Antonio-based Operation Homefront (www.operationhomefront.org) —a nationally recognized nonprofit that has brought support and hope to thousands of military personnel and their families since 2002.

“I’m part of an international service club (Altrusa International) in Orlando that is passionate about women’s and children’s causes, and we were challenged to find a way to support military families. That’s when our journey began,” says Malloy.

Soon, they were gathering toys and stuffing stockings and delivering a bit of holiday cheer directly to the families of those who serve.

“There’s nothing quite like putting a smile on a child’s face during the holidays with a gift bag full of toys. It’s a small act with a heartfelt reward for both the giver and the receiver,” says Malloy.

Working with Dollar Tree stores, volunteers pick up gifts donated by shoppers in bins labeled Operation Homefront and get to work.

“I must tell you, even with this tough economy, people are so generous. We got twice as many gifts as last year. We collected eight thousand pieces and had an assembly party. This year we put 15 toys in 180 bags that we give out at a Christmas party for families in the Florida Army National Guard.

“It’s very fulfilling. You have to have a heart for it. And, you don’t have to donate money; there’s a lot you can give in time.”

Malloy does have a heart for the military as in the last five years of her career she was an instructional technologist (military training) working with the Navy.  “I never met a more dedicated and friendly group, so anything I can do for the military…” Malloy says.

Toys for Tots

Kathie Mitchell, 76, is the social director for a group of five condo buildings in South Pasadena, Fl. She has been placing Toys for Toys bins starting Thanksgiving Day in her building since 2013. She also puts up reminders in the other lobbies to get those toys to her by a certain date.

“The response has been phenomenal. The number of toys we get fills two SUVs! It’s easy for my neighbors to order right from Amazon and have them delivered to me. They don’t even have to go to a store to go shopping if they don’t want to,” she says.

“I just feel the need to give back. I had stage 4 cancer 20 years ago and they gave me three years to live. God has kept me alive, so I have my hands in a lot of charity ventures,” she says.

Four of Mitchell’s friends help her collect the toys. “You should see my guest room!” she says. “It’s a lot of work, but we have fun doing it. And it seems more and more kids need this these days.”

Chris Cohen, proud owner of three Huey Magoo’s franchises in the Orlando area, decided to add an extra dash of holiday magic this year by teaming up with Toys for Tots. “We were looking to make a real difference for kids, so partnering with Toys for Tots was a no-brainer,” Cohen says.

Triangle, VA-based Toys for Tots (toysfortots.org), organized by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, is also the charity of choice for Huey Magoo’s corporate offices—making this a team effort across the board.

“The best part?” he says, “Seeing everyone show up to donate—from little kids to grandparents dropping off their toys.  By the end, we had a mountain of more than 150 toys.”

With holiday cheer buzzing and the whole community coming together, Cohen says he’s excited to keep the tradition rolling next year and beyond.

Salvation Army

For more than four decades, The Alexandria, VA-based Salvation Army’s Angel Tree Program has brightened the holidays for children and seniors who might otherwise go without gifts. Through the generosity of community donors and corporate partners, The Salvation Army ensures that every “angel” — a child, senior, or adult with special needs — receives personalized gifts and clothing for Christmas morning. Last year alone, it served more than one million people.

“This holiday season, feelings of joy and celebration are being overshadowed as rising costs and economic challenges continue to take a toll. More families are struggling to afford necessities, let alone holiday gifts. That’s why now more than ever, The Salvation Army is dedicated to keeping hope alive through the Angel Tree Program,” says Dale Bannon, National Community Relations and Development Secretary at The Salvation Army.

While most deadlines to adopt an Angel have passed for this season, over the coming weeks, Salvation Army centers across the country need volunteers to help sort, label, and distribute Angel Tree donations. If you’d still like to make a physical contribution, toy donations are also encouraged – simply drop them off at your local Salvation Army, and they will be directed to children in need.

Anyone wishing to get involved in their community can visit SalvationArmyUSA.org to find their local Salvation Army and learn how to support Angel Tree.

Other Worthy Organizations

*The Good+Foundation (www.goodplusfoundation.org), founded by Jessica Seinfeld, hosts annual toy drives, often partnering with brands like Alice + Olivia and Ross, collecting new toys and clothing for children from infants to 12 years old, usually in December, through in-store donations or online wish lists (like Amazon) for families in need, aiming to support parents and caregivers in breaking cycles of poverty.

*Websites like JustServe.org can direct folks to a host of volunteer needs of organizations, including annual toy drives.

*Look to your church, synagogue, mosque, senior center or local charities like R’Club in St. Petersburg, Florida, for example. This local charity serves over 4,000 infants, preschool, elementary and middle school children daily in more than 47 locations. They collected toys for more than 50 children during their annual holiday party.

*Put up a post on your local nextdoor.com and ask if anyone needs help sorting toys, etc. for the holidays.

Jennifer Juergens Thomas has a lifelong interest in how people get together.  As a former AP reporter she covered feature stories and later wrote about conventions from Anaheim to New  Zealand as editor of Meetings and Conventions magazine. She was a public relations consultant for clients like the Society of Incentive and Travel Executives focusing on how and why people need to get together. An Orlando resident, she continues to contribute to Meetings Today magazine among other ventures.