‘Tis the season of giving: Holiday volunteer opportunities

SOUTHERN UTAH – Wondering how you can give back this holiday season? Giving someone a gift that they’ll be forever thankful for often doesn’t take much. Sometimes just a few dollars, a few hours, a few items of clothing or a few cans of food, can make a big difference to someone less fortunate. Volunteer work is a great way to get your family involved in giving back to the community and there are many local volunteer opportunities and holiday outreach opportunities perfect for families, congregations, businesses and others looking to reach out to those in need here in Southern Utah this holiday season. We hope you will join St. George News in making this an extra-special time of year for those in need this season.

  • Dixie Care & Share’s Christmas Dinner will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 25, at the Dixie Center in St. George. The meal will be served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Volunteers are needed to cook turkeys, bake pumpkin squares and to prepare and cook dressing. They are also accepting food donations.
  • Toys for Tots is accepting donations of unwrapped toys at various locations throughout Southern Utah to deliver to families less fortunate this Christmas. Members of the community drop new, unwrapped toys in collection boxes positioned in local businesses. Coordinators pick up these toys and store them in a warehouse where the toys are sorted by age and gender. At Christmas, Coordinators, with the assistance of local social welfare agencies, church groups, and other local community agencies well qualified to identify the needy children in the community, distribute the toys to those less fortunate children.
  • KONY Coins for Kids is accepting monetary donations. This nonprofit, charitable organization dedicated to the goal of providing Christmas for disadvantaged children in the Washington County area of Southern Utah. 100 percent of all funds raised are used for this purpose as there are no administrative costs or paid staff – everyone working with Coins for Kids is a volunteer. This year, this nonprofit charity has a goal of raising $125,000, and it is currently about $30,000 short of that goal. The money that is raised for this effort comes directly from the community in the form of individual donations as well as corporate donations. Coins for Kids also needs volunteers for:

Shopping, Dec. 18, from 5-10 p.m. at the Bloomington Wal-Mart. They’ll need hundreds of shoppers (young kids can help mom and dads) Just show up and you’ll get a clipboard and a family to shop for. There is no need to register to participate.

Wrapping, Dec. 19, beginning at 8 a.m. at the Dixie Center in St. George. Participants are asked to bring two rolls of wrapping paper if they are able. Scissors and tape are provided. People can also donate tape, scissors, clipboards, name tags, ribbons, and related gift-wrapping materials. There is no need to register to participate.

Gift delivery, Dec. 20, from 4-9 p.m. at the Dixie Center. Santas and Santas’ helpers are always needed. Santas need their own suit if possible; some suits are available. Additional helpers with vans or trucks are needed. To participate as a Santa, participants need to register with Hal Halford by calling 435-673-8215.

  • Santa for Seniors is asking for volunteers to become a Santa for a night for a senior in the community. Before the actual event, adopt a senior Living at Beehive Homes, Dixie Home Health, Gentle Touch, Kolob Rehab, The Meadows, or Red Cliffs Rehab. Each location will then host a party at a designated time and place. Depending on who you adopt, will determine where you go at what time. Those who volunteer to adopt a Senior are committing to spend around an hour of their time and bring a simple gift. Become a Santa by picking up a name packet at one of the following locations: Swig, 25 Main, Orange Peel or the Senior Center. Secret Santa options are available for those who would like to give a gift but have limited time. All it takes is a simple gift and time to touch a heart for a lifetime.
  • Southern Utah Donations for Kids is taking donations of clothing, toys and small furniture, and then finding homes for them. They need clothing for children newborn to size 16, and in some cases, dressers, beds, cribs, highchairs and other items of the like. They help needy families find items they are in need of. Donations will go to Helping Hands of Dixie and Mesquite, Moms Helping Moms of St. George, and other nonprofit organizations.
  • Washington County Coats for Kids & Families  has a hope of keeping everyone warm this winter. They have received coats, blankets, pillows, clothes and pajamas that they will be offering to those in need. To donate warm items, or to volunteer, visit the Facebook page linked.

Know something we missed? Please email us the details if you know of other Southern Utah volunteer opportunity this holiday season. Email [email protected].

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Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @STGnews

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2013, all rights reserved.

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12 Comments

  • Outsider December 14, 2013 at 7:53 am

    During my volunteer activities, I look about and talk with the other volunteers. An interesting commonality is that most of us have relocated to the St George area. We are the “Outsiders” which some mayor seemed to have such disdain for. Why did he hold such hate and prejudice for anyone not born and raised in Dixie? We volunteer. We contribute. We get involved. Most interesting is that with the volunteers I meet, not a single one is related to that mayor.

    • JamesB December 14, 2013 at 1:15 pm

      Outsider, I am glad to see a change in the guard at the Mayor position but “hate and prejudice” are two words that I would never associate with Mayor M. He is a good man and you, my friend, must not know him too well if at all. Otherwise you would not say such a thing.

      • Outsider December 14, 2013 at 5:13 pm

        “Hate and prejudice” were words the mayor used when talking about “outsiders”. Perhaps you forget his negative connotations about “outsiders” during the Dixie College naming discussions and at other times. His position was public servant, not emperor nor dictator. Good riddance!

  • jim December 14, 2013 at 8:39 am

    Wrong forum ^

    • Outsider December 14, 2013 at 10:31 am

      Right forum. Good riddance to the self-appointed emperor. He can spend his retirement volunteering at the animal shelter and any or all these other volunteer-oriented activities.

      • JamesB December 14, 2013 at 8:28 pm

        Outsider. Must be heavy carrying that big chip on your shoulder. You should try lightening up a little.

        • Outsider December 15, 2013 at 8:03 am

          How many times have you seen any of the mayor’s family volunteer for any of these activities? Too often you heard him talk about volunteers, but I don’t recall seeing any of his family volunteering. Remember that saying “Lead by example”? Then he tells the volunteers at the animal shelter to keep their mouths shut about the deplorable conditions there.

          • JamesB December 15, 2013 at 2:39 pm

            Outsider. Not all service is in the public eye. I have personally seen the Mayor’s son and his wife help people in need in our neighborhood when they lived here. Good and decent people like them don’t have a need to let everyone know about it. The quiet service is reward enough for them. Sounds like you have a personal ax to grind. You should think about letting that burden go and move on to better and more productive things.

          • Outsider December 16, 2013 at 7:55 am

            JamesB. whooptie-do. I would hope someone has the decency to help another in need. I do this all the time. I’ve also volunteered my time and even money to assist various community and club events. I’ve raised thousands of dollars for charities. I am offended by your mayor’s comments about “outsiders”. We do a lot for neighbors, friends and community. Just because we don’t bow down and worship his majesty doesn’t make us bad people. Bright side now that he’s no longer mayor, is he has lots of time to volunteer. Show us how it’s done instead of running his yap.

  • Nonbeliever December 14, 2013 at 10:59 am

    Please remember when you donate canned/boxed food to check the expiration date.
    There seems to be an ongoing trend of people cleaning out their food storage or cupboards and “donating” food that is months and years out of date.
    In my years as a volunteer I have found countless items that were any where from 6 months to 7 years past the expiry date.
    We want be sure to give safe, unspoiled, weevil free food at all times.
    Thank you!

    • Outsider December 14, 2013 at 5:15 pm

      I hate it too when people donate toys that are broken or missing pieces. Maybe some of those people view making donations as an opportunity to clean their closets and cupboards.

  • Jennifer December 14, 2013 at 11:45 am

    These are all great opportunities! Thank you STGNews for posting this! For those interested in doing Santa For Seniors, I know you can also call 435 414 1422. They have about 20 seniors who live at Red Cliffs who need to be adopted before Wednesday. MERRY CHRISTMAS!

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