How to give back in Huntsville this holiday season

With the holidays approaching, it’s time to give back. We know everyone’s thinking about the gorgeous lights displays in town, heading to turkey trots with the family and shopping for holiday presents. While you’re out buying gifts for loved ones, consider picking up a present for someone in need.

Here’s a list of places where you can volunteer, donate presents or make a monetary donation.

Where you can volunteer

Volunteering your time is a great way to give back to the community when you can. Here’s a few places you can sign up to make a difference.

• The Salvation Army: The Salvation Army offers different types of volunteering levels, from one-time to group to reoccurring opportunities. You can do anything from serving meals or ringing the red bell for donations. Fill out their online form if you’re interested.
• United Way of Madison County: The United Way of Madison County works to meet the needs of our community. Check out their volunteering events calendar for different ways you can get involved. Right now, they’re looking for reading/math tutors, social media help and event volunteers to work various stations.
• Huntsville Animal Services: If you have a soft spot for our furry friends, volunteering at Huntsville Animal Services might be the perfect fit. Ages 16 and older can help clean pens, groom pets and walk animals.
• Downtown Rescue Mission: Like the United Way, the Downtown Rescue Mission has a calendar for volunteers to serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. Check out the times to see which ones you can make.
• YMCA Huntsville: Opportunities to volunteer at the YMCA range from coaching sports teams to participating in fundraisers. Fill out their online forms to see what might match best with your skills.

Where you can donate items

While you’re out doing holiday shopping, it’s so easy to grab an item for someone in need. Here are a few ideas of what and who you can shop for in our community:

• If It’s Wood Cabinetry, Granite + Tile Canned Food Drive: While you’re out picking up groceries for holiday meals, consider picking up a few extra canned goods for this local food drive. There are several locations around the city where you can drop off your donation.
• Harris Home for Children: This year, Tennessee Valley Living is collecting presents for the teenage boys currently at Harris Home for Children. View the teen’s handwritten lists and drop off donations at their station. Or, you can order online and have it shipped directly.
• Huntsville Angel Tree: The Salvation Army Angel Tree helps make Christmas special for Madison County families in need. Toy ideas are written on ornaments. All you have to do is pick up the gift, and return it to the tree. There’s also an option to online order.
• Kids to Love: Kids to Love has similar trees around Bridge Street–where we know you’re already shopping. It’s so easy to pick up an extra gift and leave it under the tree. You can also reach out to Kids to Love about fulfilling a child’s whole wishlist.
• Home Instead’s “Be a Santa to a Senior”: Seniors need love to! The “Be a Santa to a Senior” is a similar concept to the angel tree, with this time focusing on senior citizens in need.

Where to make a monetary donation

Sometimes, it’s easiest just to get out the checkbook, Venmo or cash. Tons of charities and non-profits on this list (and beyond) will take monetary donations. In an effort to list as many as we can, here are five more places where you can donate.

• Downtown Rescue Mission: The Downtown Rescue Mission of Huntsville provides homeless people with logging, meals and food boxes to men, woman and children in North Alabama and Southern Tennessee.
• Christmas Charities Year Round: The season of giving can last the whole year, especially with Christmas Charities Year Round (CCYR). Different donation amounts provide different services, including toys, school supplies, personal hygiene items, clothing and utilities.
• Food Bank of North Alabama: As a member of Feeding America, Food Bank of North Alabama works to fight hunger and food insecurity in our area. It also works to make sure these foods are healthy.
• Manna House: Manna House also works to stomp out hunger through providing food to members in our community. They are a part of the Huntsville Dream Center.
• Boys and Girls Clubs of North Alabama: Inspiring young people is the goal of Boys and Girls Clubs across the country, and a donation from you can help them fulfill this mission in North Alabama.

Stay in the know, Huntsville! Follow Hville Blast on Facebook, TikTok, Threads and Instagram, and be sure to subscribe to our newsletter.