5 Ways to Give Back During the Holidays

ARC Realty loves any excuse to gather with friends and family, especially during the holiday season! ARC was built on strong relationships and a commitment to actively support our communities. Nearly five years later, our company is still dedicated to serving those around us. This year, we’re encouraging you to gather your loved ones for a holiday season they’ll never forget. Join us as we give back to those in need throughout our community! Check out our list below of 5 Ways to Give Back During the Holidays.

Jimmie Hale Mission

The Jimmie Hale Mission is a multi-faceted ministry with several programs including a homeless shelter for men, a shelter for women and children, after-school Bible clubs, recovery programs, learning centers and fundraising thrift stores. For Thanksgiving and Christmas, there are several volunteer opportunities available including delivering meals, packasing meals and serving meals.  GIVING FOR MEALS

For specific times and ways to get involved check out the Jimmie Hale Mission website.

Ronald McDonald House

Being away from family during the holidays to care for sick family members can be heartbreaking, but thankfully Birmingham has a tremendous resource to help. The Ronald McDonald House provides a supportive “home-away-from-home” for families and their children who are receiving medical treatment at Children’s of Alabama, UAB, or other area hospitals. They provide guest families with all the comforts of home – plus a local support network – so they can focus on their children’s healing.

For specific times and ways to get involved check out the Ronald McDonald House website.

Toys for Tots

What better way to make a difference in a child’s life than by providing a special Christmas morning filled with gifts just for them! Toys for Tots is a program ran by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve whose goal is to provide new, unwrapped toys during the holidays to families in need. This is a great way to get the whole family involved serving by going to purchase gifts for these children together.

ARC Realty is a drop off station for Toys for Tots gifts. Our Cahaba Heights office will be collecting gifts until December 11.

United Veterans Donations

Have you started your new year cleaning a bit year this year? The United Veterans organization works with veterans who have returned home from serving and are experiencing addictions as well as homelessness. United Veterans provides these individuals with a place to live and basic essentials to life: food, clothing and shelter. They gladly accept gently used donations such as: clothing, shoes, housewares, baby items, bicycles, etc.

To schedule a donation pickup, check out the United Veterans website.

Acts of Kindness

While the holiday season is full of hope and excitement, there are others out there hurting this time of year. We encourage you to make a conscious effort to spread kindness each day. You can do simple acts of kindness like holding open the door for someone, letting a car go out in front of you or paying someone a compliment. These small acts of kindness can go a long way in making a difference in someone’s life!

To get more ideas on how to spread acts of kindness, check out spreadkindness.org.