Thanksgiving inspires many to volunteer
There are so many reasons people look forward to Thanksgiving every year, from the opportunity to eat to your heart’s (and stomach’s) desire at your family feast, to seeing faraway family members, and of course, to be reminded of all you have to be thankful for. In the spirit of recognizing what all they are fortunate to have, many people are inspired to spend this day giving back to others.
And unsurprisingly, the greater Houston area has an abundance of opportunities to do so. Thanksgiving Big Feast
This event takes place at the George R. Brown Convention Center to provide a holiday feast to homeless Houston residents, as well as others who are simply not able to be with their families. Volunteer shifts are available from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the day of the event, and interested volunteers also can assist with collecting food and monetary donations for City Wide Club in the weeks leading up to the event. Visit citywideclub.com for more information.
TXU Energy Turkey Trot
Houston has several Thanksgiving races taking place in just about every area suburb; however, this is arguably the biggest one. Participating in the 5K or 10K run/walk is one way to contribute, as proceeds go toward Baker Ripley’s community development efforts. Volunteer shifts are available in the areas of registration and packet pickup, as well as race-day cheering stations. Visit houstonturkeytrot.org.
Volunteer Houston Holiday Project
Every year, this initiative coordinates special projects for Thanksgiving for local hospitals, nursing homes and senior living communities. Many volunteers contribute by creating handmade holiday cards with caring messages for residents and patients. This is a great volunteering opportunity for those wanting to include their grandchildren. Visit www.volunteerhou.org for more information.
Meals on Wheels Thanksgiving
More than 4,200 Houston- and Galveston-area seniors rely on the Meals on Wheels program every day, and in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, many need the organization’s help more than ever. Thanksgiving is one of many year-round opportunities to help by hand-delivering a hot meal while also providing some holiday cheer. Visit support.imgh.org.
Operation Turkey
Operation Turkey is a nationwide initiative that puts together events across various U.S. cities to work to ensure that everyone has access to a hot Thanksgiving Day meal. Houston-area volunteer opportunities include packaging meals at P.F. Chang’s Tomball Parkway location and at Grace Presbyterian Church, among others. Visit www. operationturkey.com/locations/houston for more details.