With kindness and generosity, we can make the holiday season magical
The streets of downtown Las Vegas will be overrun with Christmas cosplayers of all ages today for the Las Vegas Great Santa Run. With proceeds benefiting Opportunity Village, Blue Man Group and the Jabbawockeez serving as grand marshals, a crowded field of roughly 8,000 Santa-suited participants, and a full slate of entertainers, the Great Santa Run is sure to be a spectacular success that is fun for the whole family.
It’s also a great reminder that many local nonprofit organizations and charities rely on holiday and end-of-year giving to survive through the next year.
One of the greatest measures of a community is how it cares for those in need, and Southern Nevadans should take pride in our generosity while looking for ways in which we can give even more if possible. Fortunately, you don’t need to dress up in a Santa suit or be a member of Blue Man Group to give to those in need.
Earlier this week, donors around the world participated in Giving Tuesday, an annual celebration of philanthropy in the midst of the all-too-often crazed holiday shopping season. The Givingtuesday Data Commons estimates that Americans donated more than $3 billion to charities this year.
In addition to large global events like Giving Tuesday, Las Vegas also plays host to dozens of events each week that benefit local nonprofit and charitable organizations.
Whether it is volunteering to assist with fundraising, events or other operations; giving your time to those in need or giving money to support an organization, there are many different ways to give.
If you’re not sure what services are needed or how best to help, start by identifying a charitable organization that does work dear to your heart. Do some research to ensure that the organization isn’t a scam and actually serves those in need. The websites charitywatch.org and charitynavigator. org provide information about registered charitable organizations and score them on criteria such as organizational and financial transparency and what percentage of donations actually goes to the charitable purpose.
Once you’ve identified an organization you think might be a good fit, contact the organization and ask what their greatest needs are and how you can help. That way, you’ll know your time and money are going where they are most needed and to a cause that is important to you.
For many organizations you might be surprised about which needs are the greatest.
According to the homeless advocacy organization Invisible People, organizations that provide shelter or support for people who are homeless or housing insecure due to financial resources, abuse or other reasons, are almost always in need of necessities such clean socks and undergarments, personal hygiene products, diapers and baby wipes, blankets and bedding, toiletries and gift cards.
Other types of organizations may be more in need of volunteers or people with specific knowledge, experience or skill sets.
Of course, for those who are able, a financial gift is almost always the most useful, as it allows organizations and shelters to prioritize their greatest needs and acquire them directly, often at discounted charitable rates that everyday consumers can’t access.
Even if you can’t give time, money or other resources, all of us can give the gift of kindness.
In a society that is increasingly divided along partisan and identity-based lines, deadly wars and terrorist attacks dominating the news cycle and stubbornly high costs for many everyday goods, it’s normal to feel anxious or pessimistic. The holiday season can add to that anxiety for people who are struggling financially, grieving the loss of a friend or family member, or are simply uncomfortable in the many large group social gatherings that accompany the holiday season.
Fortunately, taking the time to listen and demonstrate patience, kindness and understanding of these circumstances and the emotions surrounding them is free. It only requires that we recognize each other’s humanity.
The holiday season is not automatically “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year.” We have to make it that way through our generosity and gifts.