Sweet charity
Savour the feeling of doing good — start by sharing the love this holiday season
As Cher Horowitz said in the 1995 cinematic epic Clueless, ’tis a far, far better thing doing stuff for other people. And now, as holiday cheer warms the coldest cockles of our hearts, the time is ripe to give back. And, it’s needed.
Canadians donated seven per cent less to charities in 2015 than they did in 2006, a drop of roughly $600 million, reports CanadaHelps, an online platform that lets do-gooders donate and fundraise for Canadian charities.
We’re also volunteering less. Looking at data from 2013, the latest available from national non-profit Volunteer Canada, formal volunteering dropped among Canadians between 2010 and 2013 — from 13.3 million people in 2010 down to 12.7 million in 2013. Here are a few tips for sharing the love this holiday season.
Spread out your generosity
Of the nearly $170 million in annual donations that CanadaHelps processes, more than a third comes in the last six weeks of the year. Though repeat airings of It’s a Wonderful Life may help foster the giving mood, some people are also rushing to claim charitable donations on their tax returns before year’s end.
Instead Marina Glogovac, president and CEO of CanadaHelps, recommends thinking long-term.
“I’ve seen the cash crunch charities can have in the middle of summer while they’re waiting for November and December,” she says, “so I have been encouraging people to set up monthly donations at CanadaHelps, because you’ll avoid scrambling at the end of the year. And it’s fantastic for charities because they have a more predictable cash flow.”
Give help where it’s needed
“The charities we talk to often tell us they can stretch a dollar more than they can a can of food,” says Glogovac. “So I would say that if people are donating items, they should check with the charity to make sure that they’re items they need.”
In terms of volunteering, opportunities with seniors and children may be limited, since there may already be volunteers who work with them year-round and have passed the required background checks.
“But there are many places that offer holiday meals and so on, that are very happy to have people volunteer for food preparation, hosting, serving, cleaning, setup and all those things,” says Paula Speevak, president and CEO of Volunteer Canada.
Think outside the gift box
“Rather than giving socks or a sweater, we suggest turning some of those gifts into a charitable gift — a gift you give as a tribute to someone on your list who may love a particular cause,” says Glogovac.
Gift cards are also popular on the CanadaHelps website. With a few mouse clicks and perhaps a sigh of relief, you can prepare a generic charity gift card in any denomination, which the recipient can then redeem with any charity registered with the organization.
Fundraising is also an option
“A lot of people are fundraising for charity instead of getting gifts. And they are asking their friends to help them,” says Glogovac, while Speevak adds that informal volunteering is proving popular.
“People might raise funds for a neighbour who needs to have their vanity redone to make it accessible, or organize an awareness event on Parliament Hill through social media,” she says. “People are self-organizing outside of organizations around issues and accomplishing things that are important.”
Get the whole family involved
“Many families choose to volunteer as a family, and many meal programs also encourage families to volunteer together. Sometimes it’s not feasible to volunteer in the community as a family, but you can do something that’s of benefit at home,” says Speevak.
For example, some animal shelters appreciate getting toys for their furry and feathered residents, and their websites often provide instructions. Kids can help with the handiwork at home, and everyone can deliver the toys together.
Lead with your values
The giving season doesn’t have to end on Dec. 31. Speevak suggests taking time now to think about the issues that are important to you and how you want to help your community throughout the next year. The Volunteer Canada website or a local volunteering centre can provide ideas.
“There’s everything from painting sets for a local theatre company to teaching someone the skills involved in resumé writing, to doing mock job interviews, to singing in a nursing home,” she says. “It’s endless, in terms of the things you can do.”