It’s the season of giving! Christmas time is here! The world is filled with hope and joy. And you can hear our Christmas cheer!

As we countdown the days to probably one of the only times we love seeing the number 25, we must begin to think of ways to give back. God gave us the ultimate gift with the birth of Jesus Christ, and we can attempt to mimic that with our own personal gifts.

The easiest and probably most beneficial gift that we can give is service. Though COVID-19 has prohibited us from going and physically volunteering at soup kitchens or homeless shelters, there are many charities and volunteer opportunities that we can still get involved in.  

One of the local charities that would greatly appreciate acts of kindness is Christ Restoration Network. According to their website, “Children’s Restoration Network (CRN) is a nonprofit organization that was established on September 23rd, 1993 and has a long history of providing direct and supportive services to homeless children and mothers living in Metro Atlanta. What began over 26 years ago as a small group of volunteers lending a hand at a single shelter in Downtown Atlanta has expanded and grown into an organization that works with over 130 group homes and shelters throughout 19 Metro-Atlanta counties. Each year, we work with over 6,700 homeless children and 1,200 homeless mothers in order to provide them with the support and resources they need to break the cycle of homelessness.”

An organization, dedicated to ensuring joy even at the hardest times, The Christ Restoration network has set up the “12 Days of Caring.” for this Christmas season. In this program, you can donate monetary gifts starting from $50 or you can purchase a gift on the Amazon wish list displayed on their website. And all of this can be done without leaving your home! With only the click of a button, you can the reason for someone’s happiness on Christmas day. This is just one of the numerous ways that we can give back and spread Christmas Joy. 

North Fulton Community Charities, is another organization, in which we can practice giving. This organization that has “helped families with holiday assistance for over 30 years,” has many opportunities for people to donate to.

Their website states that “ The holiday assistance program begins with Warm Coat Day followed by a Thanksgiving Food Program, a Sponsored Families Program, and Santa Shop. Holiday Baskets are also provided to over 150 local senior residents in November and December. This holiday assistance relieves the additional financial stress for families living in poverty or from paycheck to paycheck. All of the families live in the cities of Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Milton, Mountain Park, and Roswell.”

So not only are you helping the community, but also someone that you might not know but lives right near you. Plus you also have the opportunity of sponsoring a local family! Similar to the Christ Restoration Network. North Fulton is limiting them in personal volunteer opportunities, but they still have provided many ways to make meaningful impacts during this Christmas season.  

Christ gave us a gift that none of us can repay, but we must continue to try and repay it the best way we can, through works of mercy and service. These organizations are just examples of many other organizations that we can get involved in. Let’s become vital parts of this season of giving!