Courage Igene – Giving Back During the Holiday Season

Courage Igene is a passionate individual always looking for ways to give back to his community.

It’s the holiday season. Time to be grateful for the things we have and being with our loved ones. For better or for worse, we are with our families and happy to be with them and living and hoping for the best in the future. But for every family that is reunited, there is someone who is not as lucky as we are for various reasons. There are thousands who are homeless, live in poverty, or just have no one to go to. Living on the charity of others, it is our civic duty to help those who are in need in any way.

Below, Courage Igene describes a few simple ways we can all give back and make a positive impact on others during the holidays.

•         Food Banks: They distribute food to families and organizations such as churches that donate food to their community in need. They need non-perishable foods such as canned meats and whole grain bread. They also need utensils, napkins, and other kitchen supplies; they may even need things like a fridge or tables and chairs, if you’re very giving. In grocery stores, you can add $1 (or more) to your cost and it will be donated to buying food baskets to be sent to food banks. Look up the nearest food bank to donate.
•         Volunteer – Helping out at a shelter, sparing your own time to assist, is just as valuable. Shelters for the homeless and runaway children and the elderly can use all the help they can get. It’s a good feeling to donate yourself and your time instead of just donating things.
•         Money To Charity – As simple as it gets: write a check, collect loose change, give some spare cash to any cause of your choice. It helps for everything.
•         Donate Clothes – Goodwill takes in tons of used clothing in their drop-off centers and bins all over town. They help low-income and homeless people and others in need, particularly with coats and jackets in the winter in an initiative called “Share The Warmth.”
•         Send Cards To Veterans – During the holidays, thousands of veterans serving in the armed forces will be stationed abroad and not with their loved ones. As a way to show your respect for what they do in protecting our freedoms, write them a card giving thanks. The American Red Cross accepts them in their “Holidays For Heroes” program and the non-profit “A Million Thanks” who give gifts to the military in honor for their efforts.
•         Donate Toys – Toys For Tots collects unopened toys to give to children in families who can’t afford them. Founded by the U.S. Marines, this can be a family giveaway for people, especially children, in need.

These are several simple things you could do to give back your community and spread holiday cheer. It’s not just during the holiday season, but year round, for any cause. There are many people who are not as fortunate as we may be, which is why Courage Igene encourages others to help our fellow man and woman (and child) with what struggles they have and whatever needs they are failing to meet.

Courage Igene has written about the subject of poverty in his book: 100 Reasons Why I Hate Poverty. Check out this book and his other publications to learn more about charity, giving, and beyond.