The upcoming holiday season provides ample opportunities for volunteering and giving back to the community through local organizations and ministries. Whether it’s donating time, money, or resources, here are a few local opportunities to make a meaningful impact and spread holiday cheer. We know the holiday's come fast, so start thinking of your give back plans today!
Resilient Retreat
Resilient Retreat provides free and confidential programs for survivors of abuse, first responders, and helping professionals to heal the impacts of trauma on the mind, body, and spirit.
On Saturday, December 14th from 8:30am to 12:00pm, the center is hosting a Retreat Beautification Morning. Volunteers will work with the Resilient team to clean up and provide maintenance for retreat grounds and buildings. Volunteers need to register beforehand by visiting https://www.resilientretreat.org/support-us/volunteer.
Care Net Manasota Pregnancy Center
Care Net Manasota Pregnancy Center serves the families, men, women and children, in our community that are experiencing an unexpected pregnancy or are parenting through similar circumstance.
To make the holidays more festive, Care Net is seeking volunteers to decorate the center for the Christmas holidays, adopt families for gift-giving, and donate supplies and time to assemble goodie bags for the children they serve. For more details, call 941-751-1966 or email RebekahL@carenetmanasota.com.
Bayside Community Church – Bee Ridge Campus
Bayside Community Church’s Bee Ridge campus is hosting the Thanks For Giving Trees event, where the community comes together to donate trees, stands, lights, decorations, and toys to families in need. The event will take place on Dec. 2, 2023, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Volunteers can get involved by providing funds for trees, nominating families to receive trees, donating lights, decorations, and toys, or serving at the event by tying trees to cars, serving cookies and hot chocolate, and helping with a hayride. For more information or to get connected, visit thanksforgivingtrees.com.