Tis the season for lending a helping hand to those who may need it. It truly is so much better to give than to receive. By reaching out and helping others in need, you seriously can change someone's life. But, what can you do?

I got an email from the folks at Acadiana Outreach Center outlining 14 things we can all do to help the Women and Children who are at the shelter this Holiday season.

1.  Adopt a room:  Each of our rooms has 4 beds.  When you adopt a room, we ask you donate whatever you can from this list:

  • 4 Bath Towels
  • 4 Hand towels
  • 4 Wash cloths
  • 1 small table lamp
  • 4 packs of toilet paper
  • 4 bottles of shampoo, conditioner, and/or toothpaste

2.  Host a food drive:  Collect canned goods at your church or place of business

3.  Clean out your pantry:  Donate that can of peas or chicken noodle soup you haven't eaten....someone here will!

4.  Clean out your cabinets:  While we don't have much storage space, we can use small household items (for when our residents move into their own homes!).

5.  Volunteer some time:  We love our volunteers!  Do you have a unique skill or talent?  Love yoga, or art, or even math?  Consider hosting a class or tutoring.

6.  Organize a service day.  We often have 'honey-do' projects or yard clean-ups that we could use help with.  Call up some of your friends and schedule a time to help us trim bushes, or paint.

7.  Like our Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/TheOutreachCenter

Speaking of Facebook - share or like a post from our page

9.  Attend one of our fundraisers - Each year we have 2 - 3 really fun fundraising events...a golf tournament in the spring, a fancy gala in the fall....whatever your interest, consider buying tickets.

10.  Get a Community Partner Card - Shop at Albertsons?  Request that we send you a Community Partner keytag and every time you shop there, have them scan it.  Albersons sends us a check each quarter for 1% of all purchases!

11.  Send our residents a card - fun mail brightens everyone's day!  Mail our residents a card of encouragement and inspiration.

12.  Make a financial contribution - Click here to make a donation online.

13.  Pray - We always love to be added to prayer lists.

14.  Share this list with your friends and family.

 

More From 97.3 The Dawg