During Christmas time we often think of others more than ourselves. Many times, we don’t have to look far to serve another—sometimes it’s right in our own backyard. Recently, our neighbors organized a “Holiday Porch Party” where several friends, along the street and in the nearby neighborhood, gathered together.
We met outside a home where Santa greeted us on the porch. We enjoyed freshly baked cookies and hot cocoa along with warm conversation from our friends and family. In addition, those who organized the event also kindly asked for any donations towards a family in need. Many brought unwrapped gifts and placed them into sorted containers. By the end of the night, everyone had been filled with a connection of love. And, as a result, a family will be greatly blessed this Christmas season.
There are opportunities all around us to give back. If you’d like ideas to help you or your family serve this Christmas try going to www.justserve.org. There, you will find hundreds of ways to serve right around you. Simply type in your zip code and before you know it, ideas will pop up for you to choose.
So, what is Just Serve? If you go to their website: www.justserve.org you’ll learn that, “JustServe.org is a website where the volunteer needs of organizations may be posted and volunteers may search for places to serve in the community, providing opportunities to help those in need and enhance the quality of life in the community.
JustServe is a service to help link community volunteer needs with volunteers and does not discriminate based on race, religion, gender, ethnicity, or sexual orientation in posting projects or in encouraging volunteers to serve according to our guidelines.”
For example, here are a few ideas: “Spread the Love.” I’ll be attending another holiday gathering in my neighborhood, for this very project, to help Catholic Community Services.
During this slow donation season we are asking the community for help with donations of 2 ingredients for a childhood staple meal.
- Peanut Butter
- Jelly
Why peanut butter and jelly? A combination of whole grain bread and PB & J is the perfect mix of Protein, B vitamins, Iron and Zinc!
Food donations are accepted Monday-Friday, 9:00am-3:00pm at our warehouse, located on 2504 F Avenue in Ogden at the south end of the building.
Catholic Community Services of Northern Utah
Do you love to read? Or, do you enjoy helping students learn to read better? Here is an idea.
Become a part of something important in your community by volunteering with the READ GRADUATE SUCCEED program at North Park Elementary School!! We are looking for Volunteers to come read with students from grades 4-6 twice a week for half an hour each session! Our purpose is to help those students that are struggling to learn and read to not only learn and read at their own grade level, but to shoot for the stars as they learn to master their ability to understand what they read. All volunteers will be trained before they start tutoring. Training won't take longer than an hour and will be held at North Park Elementary. New Volunteers will need a background check.
How often do you visit the Ogden Nature Center? It’s a most wonderful place for educational fieldtrips and visits with your family.
