With the holiday spirit in full swing, people’s focus is the joy and festivities that the season brings. Along with fun and cheer, the season of giving is a great way to create a positive impact on local communities, creating great community service opportunities.
Because participating in service projects is a significant part of BSGE’s integrity, many students already have a variety of substantial organizations they work with and fun ways they continue to give back to their community. Much of these opportunities come from being a part of aid-oriented clubs that BSGE offers.
There is an overwhelming amount of support in BSGE’s service clubs such as Red Cross and Helping Hands. Participating in these clubs can be an effective way to get in touch with organizations, food pantries and banks.
BSGE’s incredible support was shown back in November when a staggering thirty to forty members of Helping Hands joined together at the Astoria food pantry to pack hygiene kits.
The Astoria food pantry is a volunteering organization which began in 2020 to support the communal struggles of the COVID epidemic. The pantry focuses on keeping the community well “fed and safe” and is hosting their annual Pieathon and their Astoria food drive just in time for the holiday season.
Sophomore Nikki Eng, a member of Helping Hands, helped pack the hygiene kits which were passed out throughout Astoria for civilians in need. Eng felt that the experience was personally rewarding, “The Astoria Food Pantry is a great community to be a part of.”
Other organizations BSGE students have worked with are City Harvest, Salvation Army, and Godly Help. City Harvest, a food delivery service which redeems nutritious food for New Yorkers, and Salvation Army, a charitable organization based on donations, are both respected organizations that have many opportunities during the holidays. Sophomore Kelsi Tirado has previously volunteered with the Salvation Army and plans to volunteer on Thanksgiving by donating and handing out food. Tirado described working with the charity as “a very welcoming place” with “many opportunities where you can work.” Constance Choo, another sophomore, has also volunteered with Godly Help, a charitable church which she found was a very “rewarding and accomplishing experience” and was a great way to “learn about others lives.”
From working at food banks, homeless shelters and organizing toy drives, the holidays create meaningful opportunities in giving back to your community. 10th grader Emillia Blackburn explains how the holiday season “inspires me to help others in my community who aren’t as fortunate as me.” and a fellow 11th grader explains how the season of giving “encourages me to help those in need.” Many of these service opportunities can be completed with your friends and families, or can be incorporated into holiday traditions.
It is important to acknowledge that the holiday season can both be a time to celebrate fun festivities and also take part in giving back to those in need. Creating a difference in one another’s lives is a great way to commemorate the season of giving.
