The holiday season reminds us of the spirit of giving and often inspires people to generously give of their time and resources. Recently, I had the privilege of speaking with dedicated volunteers, those who devote their time during the celebration of Thanksgiving and Christmas. When asked about their motivations, experiences, and lasting impressions, I discovered a common thread of inspiration. Their stories demonstrate that these selfless acts don’t just bring joy to the recipients, but also enrich the lives of those who give.
Barbara Hemphill’s Volunteer Experience
Barbara and her husband had just divorced. She had three adopted children, and the holidays were approaching. Christmas had always been a big deal with lots of traditions, but without her husband, Barbara couldn’t uphold those customs. She was depressed and wondering what she was going to do to make Christmas meaningful. So, she asked her children, “What is the one thing that is most important to you for Christmas?”
Her son’s answer took her by surprise. He expressed a desire to work in a homeless shelter for Christmas. Barbara recalls, “I was just blown away because you think that your kids would ask for a bicycle or technology or other gadgets they wanted; but this so touched my heart. When you ask a 12-year-old, ‘what do you want for Christmas,’ the last thing in the world you expect them to say is that they want to work at a homeless shelter for Christmas.” This was a reminder that sometimes the most meaningful gifts come from understanding what truly matters to someone.
On Christmas morning, Barbara and her three children found themselves at a local soup kitchen serving the homeless, wishing them a merry Christmas and spreading the message of God’s love to those in need. “We served with our hearts, letting them know they were cherished on this Christmas day,” Barbara shared.
Since that transformative experience, Barbara has made it a tradition to ask her children that same question, “What is the one thing that is most important to you at Christmas?” This question has led to a variety of volunteer projects over the years. One year, they collaborated with neighbors, each neighbor baking a unique type of cookie to create an assortment of twelve varieties. These plates of cookies were then hand-delivered to assisted-living facilities, which not only brought joy to the residents, but also created a sense of community among neighbors.
In addition to these projects, Christmas caroling has been a tradition for Barbara and her children—visiting retirement and assisted-living facilities, sharing the holiday spirit and filling the halls with song.
David Samuels’ Volunteer Experience
For over a decade, David Samuels has been volunteering at the Shepherd’s Table Soup Kitchen in Raleigh, a journey sparked by his wife’s tennis companions who recognized his background in the restaurant business.
His commitment extends beyond the holiday season. He has been lending a helping hand not only during Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve but also every Thursday throughout the entire year. He creates the menu, oversees the ovens and hot food, serves the meals, and ensures everything is cleaned up.
Why does he do it? David says, “I want to give back. I’ve taken a lot from the world; it’s time to give back.” He watches the people come in, the homeless and the working poor, smiles on their faces, some carrying all their belongings, many of them in need of showers, people who wouldn’t otherwise have anything to eat. He feels good about the substantial meals he helps prepare for these people, meals which include meat, vegetables, a starch, salad, bread, dessert, and a drink.
At the Shepherd’s Table Soup Kitchen, the volunteer crew starts at 8:30 a.m., working diligently to prepare meals from scratch. The Shepherd’s Table Soup Kitchen serves meals to more than 275 men, women, and children each day. Even the COVID-19 pandemic didn’t stop them. They adapted by preparing meals and distributing them in Styrofoam boxes to those in need out on the street.
Lynn Lashley’s Volunteer Experience
Lynn is a dedicated volunteer at the Raleigh Rescue Mission’s Gobbles to Go ministry, where she helps pack meals for Thanksgiving and Christmas for delivery by organizations such as Meals on Wheels and the Inter-Faith Food Shuttle. She was drawn to this cause after recognizing the need through an online event finder and she has been involved in meal packing for about six years now. Meals include turkey, gravy, stuffing, vegetables, potatoes, rolls, and dessert. For Lynn, the experience is uplifting, as she takes pride in contributing to the well-being of those facing hardships.
Reflecting on her journey, Lynn says, “It’s interesting how one thing can lead to another.” Volunteering as a packer led her to Meals on Wheels where she volunteers once a week. She finds great pleasure in meeting the people she delivers food to, especially knowing that for many, these visits are a lifeline. “So many are isolated and unable to leave their homes; they have no family and no regular meals,” she shares.
For Lynn, volunteering makes her feel more grateful for what she has and for what she can share with others. She describes it as a selfless and rewarding act, fulfilling a need that exists. She adds, “There are so many opportunities to help others if you open your eyes to the need.” She also enjoys the camaraderie with fellow volunteers. Lynn is pleased to see that several high school students are also involved. Together they form a community of volunteers who make a positive difference in the lives of those in need.
Bonnie McIver’s Volunteer Experience
Bonnie grew up in a family of six children. Her father was always engaged in acts of kindness for others, and he encouraged his children to tag along and help. Bonnie developed a love for senior adults while working at the hospital and witnessing situations where they lacked attention moved her to act.
A friend of Bonnie’s had a sister in an assisted-living facility. When the friend asked her sister what she and other residents had for lunch, to her surprise all they had was a hotdog and a bottle of water. Bonnie said, “We thought, this can’t happen; these people need to feel cherished during this special time.” For Thanksgiving, Bonnie cooked a full-fledged meal at home and delivered it to all 126 residents. She prepared seven turkeys, along with dressing, string beans, creamed potatoes, sweet potatoes, three desserts, tea, lemonade, and water. Bonnie has continued this tradition for seven years now.
At Christmas, she showered the residents with presents. Her friend Nel Caveness would do the shopping. Bonnie explains, “We tried to find out each person’s specific needs—whether shoes, socks, a sweater, or a shirt. We tried to provide them with more than one gift each. Once people heard about our mission, they were eager to contribute.” They also enlisted the help of some children who put on Santa hats and spread cheer with songs and entertainment for the residents. Bonnie reflects, “You go there with the intention of blessing them, but it is a joy to see the happiness on their faces. They truly appreciate somebody taking the time for them, especially those who don’t have family visits. For many of these residents, the only time they see anyone is when someone steps in and does something for them.”
During the week of Christmas, Bonnie and her two grandsons volunteered at a soup kitchen in Raleigh. When the boys spotted a lady with two children who had spent nights out on the streets, they were deeply moved. They said, “Instead of going out to eat or buying us anything, please give her some money for a room.” Bonnie and the boys pooled together $100, which they gave to her for a room. She says, “The boys were as overjoyed as the lady who received the money.”
Bonnie continues to volunteer wherever she sees a need—like taking goodie bags to one local retirement facility, and homemade cookies and candies to another. Bonnie says, “I like to smile and talk to people; it is amazing how you can turn someone’s day around with just a smile.” She emphasizes, “If we would take just a few minutes to help somebody else, it’s just amazing, it’s a blessing, and I’m the one who receives the blessing because I find joy in seeing others happy, putting a smile on their face.”
Joeth Strickland’s Thoughts on Volunteering
Joeth Strickland, founder of Crossing All Borders Ministry, began the ministry 39 years ago, initially dispatching missionary packages from her home. Over time, the ministry expanded and six years ago found its current home in a 17,000-square-foot warehouse. Collaborating with various non-profits and supporting other organizations, the ministry’s reach extends both locally and to 104 countries, serving the tangible needs of people.
“People want to do good and help others,” Joeth says. Volunteers from diverse faith backgrounds and all generations come together at Crossing All Borders—from retirees to mothers with toddlers in tow. There is something for every age to do, even a 2-year-old. And volunteering extends beyond the warehouse. Hands in the community sew bags out of repurposed prison uniforms. Joeth envisions every church adopting an assisted-living facility. She likes to learn residents’ favorite snacks, favorite toothpaste, favorite shampoo, and then meet those specific needs. For example, she noticed residents in wheelchairs needed lap quilts instead of the large blankets they were using, so unused prison uniforms were sewn into lap quilts. For the homeless, she suggests keeping packets of essential items in one’s car to distribute.
Joeth emphasizes the value of volunteering: “Volunteering encourages bonds and forges friendships. Mothers teach their children to serve, and the children say, ‘We come because we love working.’ When people volunteer at the ministry, we ask them to stop 30 minutes early to reflect on their experiences and share what they have learned, why they volunteer, and how it has enriched their lives.”
Thanksgiving and Christmas offer numerous opportunities to make a meaningful impact in your community and to experience the true essence of the holiday season, a time to extend the spirit of giving and compassion to those in need. But the impact of volunteering extends far beyond the holiday season, with opportunities available throughout the year. Consider the volunteer possibilities at animal shelters, Meals on Wheels, Salvation Army, senior centers, assisted-living facilities, hospitals, soup kitchens, homeless shelters, detention centers, churches and missions, just to name a few. There are countless ways to give back! During the holiday season (and throughout the year), what better way to spread cheer than to volunteer?
