This Holiday Season, Give the Gift of Yourself to Our Community

Most every Sunday I wake up, make a pot of coffee, dig into the Sunday paper and flip on Joel Osteen. I like to have church in my pajamas... A recent sermon had Osteen telling viewers that the best thing to do when you are in pain is to volunteer. It puts your suffering in perspective and usually makes you realize how fortunate you really are. Kind of like when you get a paper cut or stub your toe. If you focus on it, it hurts worse. If you start doing something else, magically, the pain goes away.

Volunteer Center of North Texas (VCNT) is the regional expert on connecting caring community members to volunteer opportunities throughout the holiday season. Right now, seasonal good deed-doers can find thousands of opportunities on VCNT's website. Holidays seem to bring out the altruistic side of us and it's a perfect time to help those in need or to make a difference in the community. Whether someone has an hour, a day, a week or more to spare, Volunteer Center can match them to a project or cause for which they have great interest or passion. It's truly an inspiring and meaningful way for a family, including the youngest members, to spend a holiday.
 This upcoming season, VCNT is supporting more than 1,500 nonprofit organizations in their efforts to promote their holiday projects and volunteer needs. Whether it's setting up for a Fall Festival, stocking Thanksgiving baskets, delivering meals, wrapping Hanukah presents or playing Santa, there is an appropriate volunteer opportunity for everyone found through VCNT's online guide, Volunteer Connection. We touch nearly every population and cause in north Texas and have an opportunity for everyone, regardless of what touches your heart this holiday season. For those who are too busy with the hustle and bustle of the holidays and don't have time to volunteer, VCNT also reminds everyone there are other ways to give. Interested supporters can make tax-deductible monetary donations as well as supply canned food, Thanksgiving baskets, warm clothes, coats and gifts for all ages for the needy. It is critical for VCNT to garner community support for all of the important agencies served.

Thousands of individuals and families in need will have a brighter and more memorable holiday because of the generous north Texans willing to give their time and resources. Holiday opportunities are available throughout the months of November and December. Fortunately, these opportunities fill up fast, so interested individuals, families and businesses should go to www.vcnt.org as soon as possible.
About the Volunteer Center of North Texas:
Founded in 1971, the Volunteer Center of North Texas (VCNT) is one of the largest and most active volunteer centers in the country. A primary purpose of the VCNT is to recruit volunteers including individuals, families, and corporations as well as civic and faith-based groups, to serve nonprofits and their clients throughout the North Texas area. VCNT serves over 2,500 nonprofit organizations, impacting nearly every issue our community faces. For more information, visit www.vcnt.org.