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Holidays are a time for cheer, rest, and reconnecting with your family. But the end of the year is also a great time to reflect and give thanks. For those looking to take it a step further, there are many ways you and your family, or company, can be charitable this year. Here are some of the ways our attorneys at offices across the country have given back this holiday season:
1. Organize a Canned Food Drive
This year, many of our offices organized a food drive. Our NYC office donated 160 lb. of canned food to City Harvest this season, and our Fort Myers Office donated 385lb. to the Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida. Our Jackson office provided food for 150 families through the IONA house. This year, with over a thousand pounds of food, Morgan & Morgan also provided the most food for a Thanksgiving food drive in Tampa, FL.
Your company may be able to easily organize a food drive through a food rescue organization. Collected food is usually delivered to soup kitchens, homeless shelters, senior shelters, and AIDS care providers. Always make sure to check what your fellow employees are donating and that the food has not expired or decayed. The food rescue organizations should have a list of instructions on their website.
2. Adopt/ Sponsor a Child
Many of our attorneys have given back by supporting families and children in other countries. One of our attorneys adopted a family through the Fish Christmas Wish program. An attorney in our Orlando office adopted children in Kenya through the Panua Mission of the United Methodist Church. One of our attorneys also adopted multiple families through the Leadership Winter Park program. Through sponsorship, they provided clothes, school supplies, and toys.
If you want to sponsor a family, you should be aware of what’s required. For example, sponsors do not need to live with the family they are sponsoring or meet all of the family’s financial needs. They should, however, call them, provide compassion and support, and help with any long-term financial needs. They could provide necessities such as food, medicine, clothing, and housing. Usually, a sponsor will find a needy family through a church or non-profit organization.
3. Organize a Toy Drive
Holiday season is the time for gifts, so many of our offices rounded up toys to give to less fortunate children. Our Fort Myers office organized a toy drive for needy children. All toys were donated to The Salvation Army Toys for Toys of Lee Country Florida. Our Memphis, Sarasota, Winter Haven, Lakeland, The Villages, and also collected hundreds of toys that were given to children in need.
Organizing a toy drive is simple and fun. Make sure that you advertise your drive effectively so that you receive plenty of great toys. Many states have their own unique organizations that collect and distribute toys. Always look into the organization beforehand to make sure they are legitimate.
4. Host a “Casual Friday” Event at Work – With an Entry Fee
If you work in an office with a strict dress code, you could use this as an opportunity to create a fun workday while simultaneously giving back this holiday season. Host a “Casual Friday” at your office with a small charge. Our Orlando office has continued the Casual Friday tradition for years, with people paying $5 to wear casual clothes to work. All of the money is donated to a charity and a new charity is picked every year. You could even throw a charity office potluck, with an entry fee. This could also be a great opportunity for coworkers to get to know each other better.
5. Donate to an Important Cause
Every year, thousands of less fortunate people across the U.S. suffer from lack of food, shelter, and clothing. Our Memphis office has been donating to different charities every year for the past five years while our Bowling Green and Lexington offices are committed to the Salvation Army. Regardless of where you are, there exist charities that you can donate to. Do some research and see if you can volunteer or donate to a neighborhood charity. The experience can bring your family together to practice the values of humility and consideration.
Donating to a charity, or volunteering at one, can be a great way to bond with your friends and family. As the year ends, you could even start a new tradition to follow for years to come.