The holidays are a time for giving and the perfect time to remember to give back to our local community. Whether you give a donation or volunteer your time, giving back is a great tradition to teach your children and continue to do year-round. The smallest effort can mean the world to someone else and help spread the holiday cheer! Throughout Luzerne and Lackawanna counties, there are numerous opportunities to help.

1. Hold a donation drive: Whether is be coats, hats and gloves, clothing in general, or food, holding a donation drive of your choice with a cause to donate to is always in demand. Many times people already have gently used clothing items or extra food in the pantry that he or she is willing to donate. Reaching out to your friends, family, coworkers and other close organization can help bring the drive together and will be sure to capture many whom are happy to donate these essential items.
   
   
2. Volunteer at a local food bank or shelter: There is always the extra need for volunteers to help distribute meals or donate food, even prepared food to the local homeless shelters and food banks. Locally, the CEO or Commission for Economic Opportunity serves NEPA counties and is an affiliate of Feeding America. This is the nation's largest charitable food network helping to feed the hungry. To find out how you can contribute, click here.
   
   
3. Time to clean out the toy box or purchase new: Before the holidays is the best time for kids to go through all their toys and games and help tidy up their belongings. It is also an opportunity to allow children to donate the toys and games they may have outgrown or don't play with anymore to pass along to kids who don't have any. Otherwise, its just as wonderful to take the kids shopping for new toys that they would love to donate to a local nonprofit organization or shelter.
   
   
4. Make and mail holiday cards: While this years, celebrating the holidays is much different then the past, many residents in nursing homes or hospital patients will not get to see their loves ones, family and friends. A tradition that has been started in many homes is to write out cards or have children make homemade cards and mail to nursing homes and hospitals. They can then be distributed in best effort to help spread a smile and holiday cheer.
   
   
5. Give a donation in honor: Is there a family member or friend that is hard to buy for? Maybe they don't necessarily want or need anything. So instead of a gift, make a monetary donation in honor of that person. You are not only giving in honor of that person, but also giving back to your community at the same time.