Happy Holidays, YAC ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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This holiday season, in partnership with Hasbro, GenerationON is asking kids of all ages to give joy and Be a Joy Maker by turning acts of service into donations of toys and games to kids in need.
From December 3rd through December 20th, for each action a child or teen takes to help others, Hasbro will donate a toy or game to Toys for Tots - up to 1 million dollars' worth of toys and games. That's a lot of joy!
Ask your friends and classmates to join other kids and teens in giving joy through service this holiday season. Go to givejoy.generationOn.org for details on how to make your action count.  The website offers a range of project ideas as well as an easy way to download a holiday card and send it to a child needing joy this season.

givejoy.generationOn.org

Project ideas to get you started:

• Food for the hungry.

Caring Cornucopias—The holidays are a time for families to come together, share a meal, and share joy. Many families don’t have the means to prepare a large meal. Help families in need celebrate together by preparing a food basket for donation.

January Harvest—Encourage families to pick up some extra non-perishable food items during their holiday shopping. Then kick-off the New Year with a food drive to collect those extras.

Spread the Bread—Homemade bread warms the heart and fills the belly. So roll up your sleeves and “bake a difference.” All hands, big and small, can join in this international project to provide basic food and messages of hope to those in need.

Bank On Our Help—Food banks need food, but they also need people power to get food into the hands of those who need it. Your family can lend a helping hand, while learning about the hunger needs in your community.

• Warmth for all.

Winter Wear Share—This winter help keep families and children in your community warm by donating gently used, outgrown, or new hats, coats, scarves, mittens and pajamas.

Blanket Hugs—Who doesn't like to curl up on a cold winter's night with their own special warm blanket? Many people do not have this luxury such as the homeless families who sleep in shelters, or kids who enter foster care. You can help them derive some comfort from sleeping in a strange bed in a strange place with the gift of a Blanket Hug!

• Help to those in need.

Helpful Holidays—A helping hand is often the greatest gift you can give. Clearing out a neighbor’s driveway, raking leaves, or cleaning up the sidewalk is a great way to show you care—especially if these chores are a burden on your neighbor.

Giggle Books—Days can seem dull and long when you are a child sick in the hospital. Laughter is good medicine for those dreary times, so spread some cheer by making a giggle book. Put your funniest sayings, jokes, riddles and pictures into a book and donate it to a local children’s hospital. 

 Charged for Life—The risk of house fires goes up during the holidays. If a fire breaks out, smoke detectors are an integral part of keeping families safe. Unfortunately, the batteries for detectors can be expensive and some families don’t know how often they need to be changed. Protect families from potentially fatal fires by collecting smoke detector batteries for donation.

• Cheer for your community.

Holiday Hope Chests—Gifts are about more than what is in the box. Gifts are about hope and compassion. Donate a small gift in a homemade hope chest for a child in need so the joy of the holiday season can extend throughout the year.

Festive Community—Joy is this season’s greatest gift. Give it to those who need it most by creating festive decorations to warm a senior center, homeless shelter, or community organization.

Winter Cheer for Seniors—Winter in snowy regions can be a hazardous time for seniors to get out and be active. The cold and icy surfaces may keep some people inside and home. This winter bring the beauty of the season inside by making seasonal decorations and sharing your creations with a visit to seniors in a nursing or retirement home.

Holiday Cheer for AIDS Patients— Some patients at Coler-Goldwater Hospital do not have a home to go to during their treatment, and some do not receive visits from their families or friends. Your family can bring cheer to patients with AIDS living in Coler-Goldwater Hospital in New York City by donating small personal items for the holidays.

BookShare Box Libraries—The cost of books keeps them out of the hands of children in some low-income families. Give the joy of reading to a child this season by collecting new and like-new books and assembling BookShare Box Libraries.

Share the Season—Troops on active duty serve around the world. Many are in hot deserts or frozen mountain ranges. It can be difficult to get into the spirit of the season when the weather around you is so unlike the weather at home. Help troops feel a little closer to home with a seasonal care package.

Meals on Wheels—Volunteering for “Meals On Wheels” to deliver prepared dinners to homebound seniors is a great opportunity for your family to connect with seniors in your community. Your family can volunteer to deliver the meals and make hand-decorated placemats and greeting cards to be delivered with the meal.

• A healthier, greener earth.

Happy Returns—With all those holiday meals and gifts come a lot of post-holiday bottles, cans, and boxes. Help your community by doing a can, paper, and cardboard drive. You’ll be keeping holiday recyclables out of the landfill and turning them into a donation for an organization that serves others.

Green Holidays—Cook the meal, wash the dishes, light the lights—the holidays use up a lot of energy and water, especially if you have houseguests! Make “Lights Out” and “Water Off” posters to remind your family to conserve!

Still not sure what to do? Watch our recorded webinar on how to take part in this opportunity!