Giving Back During the Holiday Season

Story by Krystal Black
Feature image via @volunteernynow

As winter break approaches, many students are ready to finish finals, leave campus and get ready for the holidays. Some students might do this by shopping around for gifts, baking cookies or decorating for the holidays, but the holiday season is also commonly associated with giving back.

At Central Michigan University, students take the meaning of the season to the next level with volunteer events and programs, not just during this season, but year round, to support the community that they live in.

“Volunteering to me means dedicating some of your time for a good cause without expecting anything in return,” freshman Elizabeth Kessler said.

From volunteering at Mount Pleasant’s Mobile Food Pantry to participating in the Holiday Outreach of Isabella County volunteer opportunity, there are countless ways to get involved here in Mount Pleasant.

Aside from the community as a whole, the local schools here also need help. The Mary Ellen Brandell Volunteer Center  lists many opportunities for students here to work with younger students and has programs dedicated to helping children in schools, such as the Lunch Buddies program and the America Counts and Reads program.

“When I do volunteer work I like to do things where I can directly see the impact I’m making. It’s really cool to see how this small thing you’re doing can have such a huge impact on someone else,” Kessler said.

If you use your time and talent to give back this season, it might provide you with the greatest gift of all.