Teaching your children to share & care is so important year round, but the holidays present a special opportunity to spread the love. Showing our children ways to give back and help those in need is just one way we can raise a new generation of well-rounded, generous and thoughtful people!
So, we’ve compiled this helpful little list of organizations, campaigns and ideas for you to consider this winter. As you browse, you’ll find new ways to give back during the holidays with your family.
Here are some of our favorite suggestions.
Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation
For years, we've been partners with Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF): a non-profit focused on funding childhood cancer research—a cause that means a lot to us. When you buy from Little Sleepies, you're not just getting comfy bamboo clothes; you're also supporting our donation efforts and making a real difference to those in need.
We love how ALSF also teaches children about the importance of giving back. Here are some ways to get involved this holiday season!
- Host a lemonade stand, and donate the proceeds to ALSF! Brainstorm locations with your kids and make a plan for how to decorate your table, mix up some yummy drinks, and draw customers to your stand.
- Make a direct donation. Talk to your kids about ALSF and how it helps sick kids. Consider matching any donation your kids make—helping them find or save even 10 cents to donate sends a powerful message!
This season, all donations to ALSF made via their Giving Tuesday page will be matched by ALDI, so each dollar goes even further!
Here are some other creative ideas on how to raise funds for this incredible organization.
Toys for Tots
This year marks the 75th birthday of the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program—a special milestone for a wonderful organization! Many of you already know about this opportunity to give back, as businesses big and small across the country have been joining in for decades.
Make it a fun outing with your little ones. Have them choose a toy they think another child will love, and chat about the happiness it'll bring to someone in need. Then, find a spot where you can drop off the toys together!
Salvation Army
This charity is one that many of us know well. The Salvation Army is dedicated to helping local communities, especially during the holiday season!
Join in on their Red Kettle Campaign by donating cash or change at any red kettle location nationwide. Encourage your little ones to collect a small treasure of coins to donate the next time they see a red kettle volunteer.
Feeding America
The sad truth is that every community faces hunger. Even families that may seem to have what they need could be struggling to feed their kids. In 2021, 53 million people turned to food banks and community programs to help put food on the table!
With Feeding America, you and your family can help in many ways: from volunteering at a food bank, to hosting your own virtual fundraiser. If you have the space and ability, why not host your own food drive? Encourage your neighbors, family, friends, and network to donate food over a few days. Or, let your kids organize a food drive among their friends and classmates, and teach them about the impact this will make for families in your community.
Operation Christmas Spirit
Some military families spend their holidays far away from loved ones and separated from their communities. Operation Christmas Spirit helps anyone bring the joy of the holiday season to our troops who sacrifice so much for our country!
The organization has a few options for giving: toy donation for children in military families, adopt-a-family programs to support entire families, and the chance to curate gifts for single service members.
Teach your children to find and package gifts for others—even those they don’t know—and why that embodies the “Christmas spirit” more than anything else!
Local Charities
Keep an eye out in your community! Your local church, school, nursing home, grocery store or library may host their own giving campaigns.
Tell your kids about a toy drive or bring them along the day you’re singing carols at the assisted living home. Showing them how you show up in the community is a wonderful way to lead by example!
Be a Good Neighbor
The holidays can be a challenging time for so many people. You and your family can give back directly to those in your community with small, thoughtful acts of kindness.
- Bake and deliver cookies to an elderly neighbor or single parent in your community. Why not add a homemade card from your kids?
- Bring your child along to help shovel snow for an elderly neighbor. It’s an easy way to show kids that a little effort goes a long way!
- Run errands for a neighbor that can’t drive or who is facing hardship. Show your kids that it can be fun to pick out items for someone else.
- Deliver flowers to daycare staff, postal workers or other people working hard for the community during the holidays.
- Donate books and toys your kids no longer use to a local shelter, Boys & Girls Club of America, or even to a local family!
- Let someone skip the line this holiday season. This small gesture can make a busy mom or elderly person’s day. Plus, it will teach your child a great lesson.
- Purchase gifts from a brand that gives back. Like Little Sleepies, many retailers give a portion of their sales to charities. Find small businesses in your community donating to great organizations!
Infuse the spirit of giving into your family’s activities this holiday season. Then, share the joy by letting us in on your new special holiday traditions! How do you involve your entire family, especially the kids, in the spirit of giving? Share your thoughts below or join the conversation in our Facebook VIP Group.
