The holiday season is upon us and with COVID-19 still in full swing, gifts may look a little different this year. We’re used to going shopping, spending the day in lines and at registers, but this year we may be limited to what we can find online and what can be delivered. With that in mind, here are a few ideas to take the stress of shopping away.
Give the Gift of Time
While some of us have gotten to spend the last several months at home with our families, others have barely had the chance to leave their house. Getting out and volunteering with the Red Cross is a great way to spend time with the people you love, while showing you care about the others in your community.
Red Cross volunteers are the hearts and hands of the Red Cross. They do it all, from being onsite after a disaster, to virtually assisting with data entry from home, to driving lifesaving blood to local hospitals, to providing office management support and more. No matter how much time you have available or what skills you have, there’s a place for you at the Red Cross.
Visit www.redcross.org/volunteer to learn more and take a quiz to find the right opportunity for you.
Give the Gift of Donations
While we may think we’re going to have a relatively easy holiday season, we never really know what’s around the corner. From a home fire to a tornado, disaster can strike when we least expect it. To prepare for such events, you can give the gift of donations, in your name or on behalf of someone else, to the American Red Cross to help those affected by disaster. Donations go to help people in need, and on average, 90 cents on every dollar the Red Cross spends is invested in delivering comfort and care to those who need it most.
Your donations can provide snacks, blankets, shelter, hygiene essentials and financial assistance to meet the needs of people in their darkest hour. These simple items can be all someone has and provide the hope and care they need when they don’t feel like they have any left. Your donations make it possible for the Red Cross to help communities prepare, respond to, and recover from disasters.
You can join the Red Cross campaign this holiday season by encouraging your friends, family and community to help us reach our goal by donating today at redcross.org/gift.
Thanks to the generosity of AT&T, Highmark Residential, City Electric Supply and an anonymous donor, donations made to the American Red Cross on Giving Tuesday will be matched up to $93,000 which helps your donations reach even further to help those in need.
Give the Gift of Life
One thing a lot of people don’t think about as a gift, though it is the most important one, is the donation of blood. Most people don’t know, however, that one donation can save up to three lives. Give the gift of blood this holiday season to help the American Red Cross prepare for the aftermath of a disaster. The blood already on the shelves is the blood that saves lives. Blood is needed across the country and is distributed to hospitals for patients in need. Give the gift of life by scheduling your appointment today at www.redcrossblood.org.
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