The season of giving has finally come, and nothing feels better than showering those around you with love and appreciation! So throw your best “ugly” sweater on, crank up the holiday tunes, and give back to your community in ways that are special to you. Here are some acts of kindness we enjoy doing year-round to bring joy to our community:
1. Make a Donation to Your Local Animal Shelter 🐶🐱
All pets deserve love and comfort, especially during the holiday season! There are several creative ways you can give back to your local animal shelter, like donating products from a shelter’s wish list, getting crafty and creating handmade toys and beds for pets, or hosting your own fundraising event on behalf of your favorite shelter. No matter how small, efforts to support your local animal shelter can make a significant difference in the lives of animals and the humans they find fur-ever homes with!
2. Send Handmade Cards to Patients in Hospitals 💌
Alyson, our PR Manager, is always coming up with unique ways to spread love and joy to those around her. In past years, her and her late puggle Penny Lane’s favorite thing to do was create handmade cards for kids, seniors and veterans in hospitals through Cardz for Kidz. Every card sent to Cardz for Kidz is hand delivered year-round to patients worldwide, bringing a smile to their faces and lifting their spirits. There’s no better feeling than brightening up the lives of others through small acts of kindness!
3. Foster Pets Who Are Looking for a Loving Home 🏠
Having worked closely with animal shelters, we know how much they love and appreciate their foster fams! During the holiday season when shelters are filling up fast, foster families can provide a safe haven for pets to feel loved and cared for – this is where you come in to help! With a quick Google search, you can find out which rescues near you offer foster programs, or if you happen to live in the Chicagoland area, here are some great foster opportunities at shelters that we know and love: Chicago Canine Rescue Foster Program and Second City Canine Rescue Foster Program.
4. Donate New or Used Clothing to a Local Charity 👚👖
As a business employed mainly by women, Matrix Partners loves to show off organizations that empower the ladies of the world, and the YWCA Metropolitan Chicago is a perfect example! Impacting thousands of women and families annually through comprehensive human services, the YWCA of Metropolitan Chicago currently accepts new or gently used clothing and shoes, sending them to thrift stores run by Charity Clothing Pickup. Let’s be honest, we could all use a closet cleanup, and knowing that clothes you once loved will go to someone in need makes it a bit easier to part ways with stuff you no longer wear!
Remember that no matter how small your efforts may seem, they can have a significant and lasting impact on the place you call home! What are some ways you enjoy giving back to your community? Let us know via Instagram or Facebook!
Wishing you a very merry season of giving and happy holidays! 🎄☃️❤️
