Halloween is over and Daylight Savings has ended. Autumn has long officially begun. And now the weather changes, holiday shopping begins and families plan their gatherings. The holidays generally bring out the best in everyone. But not everyone looks forward to the holidays. For many, it is the loneliest time of the year. There are thousands of people who are homeless, abused, neglected and hungry that go without during these months. Fortunately for them, the holiday spirit allows an outpouring of volunteering during this time. For companies with community service policies, the holidays offer up a larger variety of giving back opportunities. The benefits increase during this time of year, because employees are not only doing good for others, but they are also doing good for themselves. Often times the reward for the volunteer far outweighs the service. And the reward is a feeling of community, sacrifice and service.

Besides normal volunteer opportunities, many organizations offer more and different projects for companies to get involved in during the holidays.

— Local food banks are busy preparing to serve holiday meals and are always in need of helpers to pack boxes or deliver food.

— Social service organizations provide opportunities to play ‘Santa’ to neglected or abused children.

— Nursing home or assisted living facilities have similar opportunities to adopt residents or entire facilities to provide much needed items.

— Other organizations have holiday volunteer opportunities to assist with holiday parties, wrapping gifts or serving meals.

Organizing company-wide give back programs during the holidays can raise the holiday spirit internally and contribute to the feeling of teamwork. It helps create a happy and festive atmosphere, and also increases a sense of gratitude amongst your employees.

Try to be creative and think of ways that employees can shop together or come together to not only give back, but celebrate in the spirit of the holidays. Celebrate opportunities that employees do outside of the company as well. Someone may be involved in other organizations that send packages to soldiers or sing holiday carols at hospitals.

It’s a magical time of year, and fostering the holiday spirit by offering and supporting volunteer service will reward more than your bottom line. It will warm your heart and bring you closer together.

The Culture Counts blog is a discussion of law firm culture and legal innovation, including topics such as effective leadership, employee engagement, workplace culture, ideal work environment, company core values, and workplace productivity.  

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