12/ 07/ 2007
Great ways to give back during the holidays
Christmas is getting closer, and with all of the focus on fourth-quarter profits, closing out the books for the year and present buying for family and friends, it's easy to let the materialism in the marketplace overshadow the true spirit of the season. Looking for a way to regain perspective? There are multitudes of meaningful ways to share your generosity and give back to your community. Why not get your whole business in on the act? Here are some ways to inspire the spirit of giving within your company and make a lasting difference:
Find a cause that fits. If you want to give back this Christmas, pick a service project that you and your employees can really get behind or lend your support to a charity that everyone in your workplace feels passionate about. If you own a construction firm, for instance, you could donate money, tools or free labor to Habitat for Humanity. If you have a restaurant business, consider partnering with America's Second Harvest to feed homeless families during the holidays. Ask employees to donate more than just money to a chosen organization. Give them a day off to so they can volunteer with Toys for Tots, Meals on Wheels or another service organization.
Adopt a family. Check with the Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity or a local church to identify a needy family in your community who could use your help this Christmas. Get their wish list and ask everyone in your company to play Santa Claus. Maybe your sales and marketing department could buy presents; your human resources department could pitch in with food; and your marketing department could handle decorations. Or each department could choose a different family member to surprise. Arrange to deliver the items while the family is away, so it seems like Santa really stopped by.
Involve customers/clients. Finding ways to include customers in your goodwill is a great way to get them excited about your company and increase the impact of your charitable efforts. If you own a coffee shop, pick your most popular drink and put up a sign announcing that you'll donate a portion of the proceeds to a hospital in your town. If you own a boutique, let customers know that you'll share the profits from your discount rack with a service organization. If you own a dry-cleaning business, ask customers to clean out their closets and bring in old coats so you can distribute them to needy families. Instead of sending a popcorn tin, baked goodies or a gift basket to clients, ask them what their favorite charity is and then make a donation in their name.
Look within. Don't forget to find ways to be charitable to those within your own company who work hard for you all year long. Look around. Is there someone in your office who needs a helping hand? Maybe you and a group of employees could plan to decorate a tree or deliver Christmas dinner for the maintenance man who lost his wife and doesn't feel like celebrating the holidays. Or everyone could pool their resources to buy a gas card for the secretary who has to drive an hour away to undergo weekly cancer treatments. This is the kind of generosity employees will never forget—and the kind that will build camaraderie to last all year long.
