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Volunteers hand out frozen turkeys at a monthly food distribution in Wapakoneta in 2023.
CELINA - Giving is at the core of the winter holiday season.
In addition to giving gifts to loved ones, another way to give during the holidays is to volunteer and give back to those in need in the area.
"The holidays are a great time to volunteer because people are feeling a giving spirit and are often inspired to give not only material gifts to their loved ones, but also give back to their communities," said Rebeccah Verhoff-Kiss, director of strategic engagement at Ohio's Commission on Service and Volunteerism, ServeOhio.
Volunteering is a win-win-win, Verhoff-Kiss said. It helps those in the community that need support, it helps volunteers feel good about helping others, and it helps nonprofits and community organizations achieve their missions.
"It feels amazing to support those in our communities who are struggling and to brighten their holiday season," she said. "Volunteers often report feeling like they gained more than they gave, and evidence shows volunteering improves mental health, physical health, expands social networks and gives folks a sense of purpose."
Volunteering often does not require a long-term commitment, making it a good avenue for locals that want to give back during the holidays, she said.
"Many organizations just need a few hours of your time to complete a project or to help serve clients," she said. "Then, if you want to continue to volunteer for the organization, you can find longer-term opportunities to make even more of an impact."
However, the holidays can also be a catalyst for making a commitment to volunteer throughout the year.
"Nonprofits often enjoy a high-level volunteer support and donations around the holidays, which is fantastic," Verhoff-Kiss said. "The goal for many nonprofits is to continue to engage these volunteers not just around the holidays, but throughout the year, as the need for volunteer support is year-round. Committing to volunteer makes an amazing new year's resolution."
Residents in the Grand Lake region can volunteer at several places, including Mercer Health, Mercer County Council on Aging and CHP Home Care & Hospice in Celina.
Mercer County Council on Aging Activities Coordinator Tash Schulze has said the organization has about 200-250 volunteers helping with a variety of tasks throughout the year, noting that the numbers can change frequently as chapters of people's lives move in different directions.
"If you're looking for a place to volunteer, there are so many different ways to volunteer here," she had said. Schulze is always looking for volunteers to share their talents and knowledge for activities.
More volunteer information can be found at www.mccoa.net. Those interested can also call 419-586-1644.
Volunteers sort through clothes for the annual Mercer County Angel Tree Program in 2023.
Mercer Health has a little over 100 volunteers, said Deb Hemmelgarn, director of the MED Foundation and volunteer services at Mercer Health.
"We have an assortment of volunteers," she said. "I mean, we have volunteers at the (Mercer County Community Hospital). We also have volunteers that serve at the Marion campus as well as, in the Galleria at Community Sports and Therapy."
Mercer Health volunteers can help with a variety of different tasks, she continued, including patient and ministry services.
"(Volunteers) help run the gift shop for the retail side of things, so even if somebody doesn't necessarily like the patient aspect of the hospital (there are things to help with)," she said. "Everything from helping with the flowers outside or the internal decorating, you know, Christmas tree, that kind of thing. We have volunteers that help take care of the finances as far as the accounting side for the gift shop. We have people that come into the office to help with those sorts of things."
A volunteer application can be found at www.mercer-health.com. Those interested can also call volunteer services at 419-678-5132 or email volunteer@mercer-health.com.
CHP Home Care & Hospice in Celina also offers numerous opportunities for locals looking to volunteer.
Volunteers at CHP fill roles like answering phones, fundraising support and delivering meals, per the company website.
"They may also read to (patients) or offer emotional or spiritual support," the website states. "Volunteers may help caregivers run errands, do light housekeeping or yard work, or sit with patients to give caregivers a break. CHP Hospice volunteers receive at least 15 hours of certification training before working with patients."
A volunteer application is available at www.comhealthpro.org.
In addition to formally volunteering for a local organization, there are plenty of ways people can informally give back to their area from the comfort of their homes, Verhoff-Kiss noted.
"(You can) make cards to send to deployed troops overseas or to send to a local nursing home; bake cookies to give to your local police/fire station; check in on elderly neighbors and ask if you can assist them with holiday shopping or tasks around their house; (or) donate money or items to organizations with causes you care about," she concluded.
