Can you hear it? The tinkling of the Salvation Armybells… Can you smell it? Festive cookies baking in the oven… Can you feel it? It’s the excitement of the holidays! With Thanksgiving on the way, most of us are anxiously poised to greet the sights, sounds, and fragrances of the 2010 holiday season. For many, this means a time of religious or cultural reflection, thankfulness and celebration. This time of year also evokes family memories and traditions, with gift-giving and receiving frequently at the center of these celebrations. But, if you reminisce with your kids about holidays past, you may be surprised to find that gifts are rarely mentioned. Instead, what is most fondly remembered are the shared experiences, the things you did together, or the traditions observed. As we rush headlong into the hectic holiday season, might we then be better served to seek treasure beyond ourselves and our families?

Now more than ever, Orlando area organizations could really use our help and support. According to Michele Plant, Director of Marketing and Communications for the Heart of Florida United Way, calls for help totheir 2-1-1 free community resource and referral helpline rose 76% in July when compared with the same month last year. Approximately 1,808 calls were received in that month alone! “Families that never dreamed of being in a position of need now require help for the first time,” says Plant. “By simply dialing 2-1-1, anyone can get connected to programs for assistance.”

Here are a few ways for you and your family to get involved during this holiday season:

Central Florida Thanksgiving Basket Brigade—Friends FeedingFriends

There are many ways to involve ourselves and our children in makingthe holidays a brighter time for our neighbors while building treasured memories and learning important life lessons. A holiday tradition for many Orlando families is participating inthe Central Florida Thanksgiving Basket Brigade. “Last year volunteers contributed and delivered over 2,500 Thanksgiving meal baskets to families in need across seven Central Florida counties,” states area coordinator Joetta Raylots.

This holiday season marks a dozen years that area families and organizations will be invited to decorate a laundry basket and fill it with items from a suggested shopping list to feed a family of five. “This is a great opportunity for families, church groups, civic organizations, businesses, students and friends to come together to transform lives,” saysRaylots, who adds that kids can be involved by shopping for the items, making decorations to include in the basket, and decorating the basket.“These baskets are a gift from one family who cares to another family that might need a little help.” Volunteers are welcome to help deliver them directly to recipients. For further details and delivery days, log on to www.basketbrigadeflorida.com.

Orlando Salvation Army

Sharing dinner with our neighbors is another great way to spread the holiday spirit. Consider inviting a neighbor or friend to dinner who might otherwise be alone for the holiday. Teens may enjoy offering help in one of the organization’s area shelters or food kitchens. “The Salvation Army in Orlando served 22,500 meals in 2009,” says Teresa Sanders of Volunteer Services. Volunteers are needed to serve on Thanksgiving Day for various shifts between 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The Orlando Salvation Army has many opportunities for families toget involved in serving the community. Families with younger children will enjoy the stocking stuffer and/or teddy bear projects. “Approximately3,000 teddy bears and 4,000 stockings will be distributed to area childrenin need this holiday season,” says Sanders. Families can pick up stockings to stuff (a list of suggestions includes small toys, books, and schoo lsupplies) or teddy bears to dress at the Salvation Army office located at416 West Colonial Drive, Orlando. The stockings and bears should be returned to the Salvation Army office by December 10th.

Want to roll up your sleeves? Sign up for the Share Your Christmas WESH Channel 2 Food Drive and help sort and box canned goods for needy families. The Salvation Army also has a need for red kettle bellringers and invites you to come make some music this holiday season! Check out the Salvation Army website for more details on volunteer opportunities.

More Ways to Share Treasure

“A simple, fun way to celebrate the seasonand to cultivate a heart of giving in our children is to host a party that focuses on giving,”says Lisa Gould of Gould+Company in Winter Park. In the past, Lisa and herhusband have hosted a neighborhood holiday party to fill Operation Christmas Child boxes. “Everyone brought small toys, school supplies and toiletry items to fill the shoeboxes,” says Lisa. Not only was this a fun holiday event, but it had a charitable component. Go to www.samaritanspurse.org for complete information.

Frequently, our often-isolated seniors struggle to live independently in their own homes. Seniors First has begun an annual Holiday Shoebox Gift Drive. Families can enjoy shopping for or making an inexpensive, small throw that can be rolled into a shoebox or similar-sized plastic container. “Together with a gift card of $10 or more to an area grocery store or Wal-Mart, we can make sure seniors feel remembered and valued during the holidays,” says Jan Ingrando of Seniors First. Children and teens are invited to make holiday greeting cards or to include other non-perishable items in the box. For drop-off locations, dates, and further information log on to: www.seniorsfirstinc.org.

Sharing treasures with those in need this holiday season can be a fun,deeply enriching experience for family members of all ages. Youngsters will feel empowered by making a difference in a world that so often feels uncaring. Together, we can build a rewarding, life-long commitment to community involvement that will truly make a difference and celebrate the heart of the season!

For more ways to get you and your family involved, visit Heart of Florida United Way to access the “Volunteering through the Holidays” guide, or call Katie Smith at the Heart of Florida United Way Volunteer Resource Center at 407.849.2372.