The holidays are a time to give back and help the less fortunate. There are many people in the DMV that are struggling this year. Due to the economy, people have lost their jobs, homes, and loved ones. For many, this holiday season will not be so glee. The DMV is in need of volunteers who care about their community and want to help the ones in need. Therefore, this year I am giving back and helping the less fortunate.
There are many organizations setting up events to give back to their community. One organization that stands out is S.O.M.E (So Others Might Eat). They have helped the homeless and poor citizens living in DC for nearly 40 years. They provide meals, clothing, and healthcare, as well as job training, and addiction treatment and counseling. This holiday season they are hosting a event called the Thanksgiving Day Trot. This event starts on November 26th at 8a.m. with the little turkey one mile run followed by the timed 5k run at 8:30 and the 5k fun walk, which is untimed at 8:40. To register you must visit www.some.org and pay $25 per person by November 24th.. For those who cannot make this deadline to attend the race can still find another role to fill in during the event. They need volunteers to distribute water, first aid (if necessary), food, shuttle bus logistics, posting course signs, timing, and parking directions. To sign up for any of these roles, email trotforhunger@some.org. There is much to be done and hopefully you are able to attend, participate, or help. However, if you can not attend this event there are many other organizations helping out this holiday such as:

Volunteers Needed for Mayor’s Turkey Giveaway, December 3rd
Volunteers needed to assist with “Miracle in the Nation’s Capital” – the distribution of 10,000 holiday meal baskets for families-in-need living in the District of Columbia. Take a 3-hour shift on December 3, 2009 between 6:00am – 9:00pm (Shifts: 6-9am, 9-12am, 12-3pm, 3-6pm, 6-9pm) at the DC Armory, 2001 East Capital Street, Washington DC (Stadium Armory Station on the Blue & Orange Lines) To register, send an email with contact information and shift preference to volunteer@dc.gov. Trainings will be provided leading up the event; volunteers are needed for a variety of duties.


Deliver Thanksgiving Meals with IONA! November 26th
November 26th IONA supports the delivery of seasonal meals to isolated seniors. On Thursday, November 26th from 10am-12pm, IONA will expand expanded their weekend meal delivery program to provide a delicious holiday meal for a larger number of home bound seniors. They need 10 teams of volunteers. A team consists of 1 driver w/ a car and 1+ helpers. To sign up, please contact Lylie Fisher at (202)-895-9425 or lfisher@iona.org.

NOVACO Holiday Adopt a Family Program, December 1st
NOVACO, Inc. provides 24 months of transitional housing to homeless victims of domestic violence in Fairfax County. Every year, NOVACO counts on the generosity of community members to provide Christmas gifts and meals to our families. With your help, these families may truly feel safe and cared for this holiday season. To adopt a family or for more information, please contact Joen Schultz at (703) 232-6453 or volunteer@novaco.org.

Instead of going out and spending money on drinks and visiting the club scene, go out and help people who have struggled this year; help your community and give people a great holiday season. Happy holidays to you and your family, but be sure to go out and volunteer today so that every family in the DMV can do the same.