.Thanks for Giving, Volunteering for the Holidays

If the festive music playing in just about every store in Marin hasn’t signaled the fast-approaching holiday season as loud and clear as a Christmas carol, then let this be the official announcement declaring this year’s festivities are now in full swing.

The sun is setting sooner and sooner. The long nights grow longer and more cold. And, while many of Marin’s citizens are afforded the comforting luxury of anticipating hot soups to fill bellies and cozy nights inside to fill the soul, not all of those who call this county home are so lucky.

With Thanksgiving being the next holiday on the agenda, now is as good a time as any to consider not only turkey, stuffing and pies aplenty but also the friends and family who will share at the table and feast together through the night. No, Thanksgiving is about so much more than celebrating one’s own bounty…it is also about how one shares in one’s good fortunes with others. More simply, Thanksgiving is a holiday that invites everyone to ponder, express and spread the spirit of gratitude.

Gratitude, or giving thanks, is a never ending positive feedback loop—think of it as one continuous ouroboros of giving and instantaneously feeling good for it. Not all acts of generosity look the same, and that is precisely what makes every person’s contribution that much more valuable in the grand scheme of things.

While some people have time to spare but little money, others may have a whole lot of money but no extra time. And then there are those who have very little in the way of both. And wouldn’t it be nice if Marin and its citizens rallied extra hard this holiday season to spread the abundance to ensure that everyone ends the year with joy and good cheer?

So, whether one has an abundance of time, money, food, community spirit or some miscellaneous asset or skill to share, now is the time to do so. One may donate to a good cause, volunteer at a local non-profit, or dress up like a turkey, gobble at passersby and give the gift of laughter (an underrated but much-appreciated commodity).

There are many choices when it comes to whom and what causes to give to, and that alone can make one’s head spin a little bit. Is it best to give to a food bank? Or maybe a homeless shelter? But what about the children, education, the arts, puppies, kittens and bears (oh my)? When it comes to holiday philanthropy, it is best to give one’s all to a cause or two that truly pulls the heartstrings. Passion and compassion go hand in hand. It’s hard to go wrong when one pours all they have into something they genuinely care about; that’s when giving becomes the best feeling imaginable.

To help give everyone a headstart on getting into the Thanksgiving headspace is this non-comprehensive list of local non-profits and otherwise charitable organizations to consider giving to this holiday season. And don’t be afraid to let those creative juices flow and do something entirely and uniquely “you.” After all, the only person who knows best how to express abundance and gratitude is the person it belongs to. So, without further ado, it’s time to get giving.

Animals

Whether they be furry, feathered, scaley, wild, domesticated or otherwise, animals are a great cause to get charitable for this holiday season. From the deer wandering the wilds (and the roads when they really shouldn’t be) to the plethora of kittens just waiting to be adopted and cared for, Marin County has plenty of animals who would be grateful to receive help. 

WildCare, for instance, is a fantastic non-profit that hospitalizes and rehabilitates local wildlife. Then there’s Marin Humane, whose hard work and dedication could always use a little love and support. West Marin Monarchs is doing their part to protect the butterflies. One can choose an animal, any animal, and look into giving them some TLC this holiday season.

Art

The local community loves its art and artists. As such, there are a whole lot of opportunities to give the gift of creativity for the holidays. Drawbridge, for instance, is a local nonprofit that connects children with supplies, lessons and even therapy through the arts. But that’s not the only nonprofit to consider…there’s also The Canal Arts, Headlands Center for the Arts, Art Works Downtown, MarinArts, Marin Society of Artists, Marin Cultural Association, Enriching Lives through Music and many more. So, one can get creative with charity this season and support the arts.

Kids & Education

Marin is a family-forward county. There are plenty of options for those who wish to give local children the gift of education, resources and opportunities to thrive through and after the holidays. Some places to consider supporting are Bridge the Gap, Schools Rule Marin, the Parent Services Project and Marin Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children. Or one could donate time, money and other resources to any/all of the local public libraries, which work tirelessly to give back to the local community year-round.

Food

While many of Marin’s citizens will spend Thanksgiving around a loaded table, enjoying the abundance of amazing dishes, others will face food insecurity. Not to sound like a retelling of The Little Match Girl, but if the fable fits…to share some abundance this season, one may consider donating to the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank’s Nourishing Neighbors initiative. Or they may choose to get involved with North Marin Community Services, hands-on or otherwise. A small donation to one could be a giant gift to someone else. And that shift in perspective may make the difference between feast and famine to a local family.

Unhoused

It is easy to enjoy the cold weather of the North Bay’s autumn and winter from the comfort of one’s own home. But this year, some will spend the holidays without such a basic, inherently human commodity. Many are only a few misfortunes away from experiencing the same fate. And it is that fact that should facilitate empathy and, hopefully, action. To give perhaps the most priceless gift this Thanksgiving, one may consider donating shelter to those who have none through nonprofits like Homeward Bound of Marin, Homelessness in Marin, Community Action Marin and the Ritter Center.

Nature

One of Marin’s most notable features is its stunning swathes of nature. Decades, nigh on centuries, of hard work have gone into keeping the landscape this pristine. But there’s always more work to be done, between removing invasive species like broom to clearing trails or protecting the environment through leadership, legislature or picking up litter. 

Organizations like the Marin County Parks Preservation and Recreation, Marin Conservation League, Conservation Corps North Bay, Sustainable Marin and the Marin Audubon Society may be considered. The list of ways to give back to Mother Earth here in Marin is almost never ending. So one must not dilly-dally or delay—getting started today and making a difference before the next holiday.