Want to make a difference this holiday season? How families can volunteer together

HOUSTON – No matter your financial situation, your parenting style, or the type of cookies you leave for Santa, all parents want to give their children the best Christmas possible. This usually includes gifts. Sometimes it’s overwhelming to figure out how to pay for gifts.

Building family bonds through volunteer work

Would you consider giving your children the ultimate gift of all? The gift of teaching them how to serve and help those in need. Studies show that volunteering builds character in children and gives them a sense of pride and self-confidence.

“When families volunteer together, it is like everything else a family does together, it connects their hearts in a unique way. When I step back, I see happiness and joy,” said Michelle Stonbeck, president and CEO of Christian Community Service Center in Houston.

Volunteer opportunities in Houston

There are several Houston nonprofits that need your family’s help this holiday season and beyond. For ages three and older, there are several age-appropriate options.

Second Mile Mission Center

“We need volunteers to help put the toys on the shelves because we want it to look really nice. You can serve hot chocolate and cookies. We have many opportunities for families to volunteer together,” said Julie Johnston, senior director of programs at Second Mile Mission Center.

Second Mile in Missouri City helps adults and children access food, clothing, books and toys through their programs at their facility. They still need volunteers of all ages for their Christmas toy shop.

Catholic Charities of Galveston-Houston

Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston needs children and adults to help sort its food pantry year-round.

An easy opportunity for all ages, especially younger children and all skill levels, is to volunteer with Kids Meal Inc. All you need to do is purchase standard brown lunch bags and decorate the bags with markers, stickers and encouraging messages. They deliver the decorated bags to the Kids Meal Facility in Houston. The bags are then filled with food and distributed to hungry children in the Houston area.

Christian Community Service Center Jingle Bell Express

The Christian Community Service Center is gearing up for its annual Jingle Bell Express program this holiday season, giving away toys, books and food. There is a special family worship day over Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend and worship opportunities are available year-round.

“We teach them at a basic level what we do, what we hear, and what poverty looks like. Then we go to the 4th floor and make hygiene bags together as a family. It’s a lot of fun,” said Michelle Stonbeck of the Christian Community Service Center. “Of course you’re conveying compassion, but you’re also building bonds with your family and creating memories with your children too. “They’ll remember the times they had fun with their family.”

We have links to some volunteer opportunities for families in the Houston area.

Second mile volunteer opportunities

Christian Community Service Center

Catholic Charities of Greater Houston

Children’s meals

Harrison’s heroes

Sunshine Kids