For Thanksgiving Stephanie at Uplifting Words (love that blog!) shared ways to combat loneliness during the holidays. I wanted to share some things that I have done or want to do with my family or friends to take the focus off myself and put it where is belongs, on God and His children, and help others as we are commanded to do. As one who has suffered depression (an inherited chemical imbalance) for many years these ideas work – faith in action works.

“Dear friends, do you think you’ll get anywhere in this if you learn all the right words but never do anything? Does merely talking about faith indicate that a person really has it? For instance, you come upon an old friend dressed in rags and half-starved and say, “Good morning, friend! Be clothed in Christ! Be filled with the Holy Spirit!” and walk off without providing so much as a coat or a cup of soup—where does that get you? Isn’t it obvious that God-talk without God-acts is outrageous nonsense?” James 2:14-17

1) Salvation Army: Ring the Kettle Bells for the Salvation Army. One year my sister and I took our kids. They had a great time and afterwards we treated them to ice cream.

2) Soup Kitchen: Several years (not necessarily in a row) my children and I along with my sister and her children helped at the local soup kitchen. The shelter residents really enjoyed the children.

3. College Students: Many times students are unable to go home for the holidays, especially foreign exchange students. Twice my husband and I asked the college administrators if we could use the student union to bring in food for students. Both times we had great groups of students. After we had done this a college organization took over the enjoyable task of feeding and entertaining the students over the holidays.

4. Meals on Wheels: Meals on Wheels doesn’t run on holidays in most areas. When I was working for hospice I realized that several of our communities elderly would have no meal served on Thanksgiving, so I made an extra turkey dinner and my husband, kids and I delivered the meals to those who had no family. Contact your Meals on Wheels and ask if they know of a anyone who will be without a meal over the holiday.

5.  Open Your Home: Something I would like to do is invite those who have no place to celebrate the holiday into our home or people who are unable to travel. This could be those who are simply alone or students.

6. Social Services: Your local social services probably has a tree with a child’s name tied to it – usually at the local mall or grocery store. Every year our family has adopted a child or two. When the kids were younger I would take them to help me shop for the child(ren) we adopted.

7. Domestic Violence Shelter: Ask your local domestic violence abuse shelter if there is something you can do for those torn away from their home during the holidays.

8. Care Center: Take a group of people and go Christmas Caroling at your local senior residence/care center. Also, ask if they have an “adopt a grandparent” program. I worked at a health care center a few year ago, and the residents loved having entertainment throughout the year but especially during the holidays. Residence today are older than they were 20 years ago. Ours were primarily in the 80-100+ year old range and many of their children are elderly and unable to travel. And you would be surprised at how many are abandoned by family. What child couldn’t use a few more grandparents!

9. Humane Society (or animal rescue shelter): Ask your humane society what you can do for the homeless pets. Many times these shelters are neglected during the holidays. Our local shelter often asks for old towels, blankets, pet toys and pet food.

10. Homeless Shelter: Check out your local homeless shelter. Many times the children in these shelters are unable to enjoy special activities over the holidays. Maybe your church or youth group could help pay for the children to go to Santa’s Village or see Disney on Ice at your local arena. Most from my personal experience receive a lot of gifts so think outside the box for things to do for these children.

If you have any more suggestions to add please feel free to share. Thanks for stopping by and have a fabulous day!