Finding the best holiday gifts for everyone on your list can be a challenge—does anyone really need another sweater or tie? This year, think outside the gift box and read on for unique ways to give your time, money and objects, not only to your loved ones, but to those who need it most.

Giving Your Time:

Donating your time can be just as beneficial as money to underprivileged families. One prominent organization known for its abundance of volunteer opportunities is the Salvation Army, dedicated to providing services for the homeless and poor. The Salvation Army utilizes 4,000 Valley volunteers each holiday season, and Christine Morales, divisional women’s ministry secretary for Salvation Army Southwest Divisional Headquarters, notes that most other organizations are similar, relying heavily on volunteers. 

The Salvation Army has become known for its Angel Tree program, where underprivileged children’s names are hung on trees throughout local Westcor malls and Phoenicians then purchase gifts for those children, allowing the Salvation Army to give gifts to 45,000 kids each Christmas. Besides volunteering at the Angel Tree booths and in the Angel Tree distribution warehouse, Salvation Army volunteers can also serve hot meals to needy families at the annual Christmas dinner or ring a Salvation Army bell in turn for money at various mall stations, among other opportunities. “We appreciate people who are willing to give their time and we could always use more,” Morales says. “It’s just a great way to give back to your community at Christmas.”

In addition to those receiving the help, donating your time can be extremely satisfying to the volunteer as well. “There’s great joy in volunteering, especially when you can be a part of making somebody else’s life a little better,” Morales says. “You very often see people glowing because they’re just so happy to be a part of helping people out.”

For more information on the Salvation Army or to sign up for a volunteer shift, visit www.phoenixsa.volunteerfirst.org.

Other Ways to Give Your Time:

Mesa Arts Center Holiday Art & Music Festival: This community festival features kids’ activities, art for sale, local talent, artist demonstrations and more. Volunteers are needed Dec. 12-13, for shifts between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. 

St. Vincent de Paul Family Meal Service: Help the Phoenix chapter of this nonprofit prepare, serve and clean up meals for the homeless and hungry on Dec. 21.  

Phoenix Children’s Hospital Holiday Art Project: Patients in the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders annually create and sell works of art to raise money. Volunteers are needed for jobs like sorting holiday cards and selling corporate artwork.  

St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance: On Dec. 12, volunteer to help sort, pack and distribute food going to other nonprofits and families in need.

Capri Care Bingo: Bring the whole family to this Phoenix nursing home on Dec. 12 for an afternoon of playing bingo, serving refreshments and awarding prizes. 602.944.1574.