'Tis The Season For Giving

We all have busy lives and especially this time of year we all seem to be busier than ever – but it’s also the season of giving,  Not just giving to family and friends, but also to our community – giving back.

So here’s a quick list of things you can do in your everyday life that can give back in subtle ways and won’t take up too much of your time:  

• Shop locally – yeah the prices may be a little higher than those giant stores, but it helps the local economy thereby helping us all.
• Donating money to a local charity. It doesn’t have to be much – even a dollar or change from a purchase can make a difference. Often retailers will have canisters next to the cash register; if it’s for a local charity it’s a perfect opportunity to share your change.
• Lots of businesses are collecting for various organizations, like cans of food or toys – just pick up an extra can of corn when you’re at the store and remember to drop it into that box next time. At Tropical Financial we just finished our canned food drive for Feeding South Florida, and had excellent participation from employees and members!
• Next time you go for a walk in your neighborhood, take a garbage bag and pick up any trash that might be lying around – you get the exercise AND help your neighborhood look nicer.
• How well do you know your neighbors? Do you know one that is elderly? Surprise them with a meal or a box of homemade cookies, it will warm your heart more than you can imagine.
• Have a Facebook account? Do a search of local charities then share one or two of your favorites on your own wall and ask your friends to go like that charities page – it will help raise their awareness and give them new people to share events with.
• Are you a dog lover? Check with your local shelter to see if you can volunteer to help take some of the dogs for walks on a Saturday.
• If you have a little more time, stop by a nursing home or assisted living facility and volunteer to read to some of the residents.
• Pay it forward - Do something unexpected and nice for a stranger, like buy a cup of coffee for the person standing in line behind you or pay the toll for the car behind you and ask the attendant to give that person a message from you  to continue to pay it forward....that is if you can find a toll booth that still has an attendant ;-)
• And last, but not least, share this list with others so we can all do our part this holiday season  to brighten the lives of others in our community!

Happy Holidays!

^Amy