While Thanksgiving ended just a few short days ago, people all over the Parma, Ohio and Shaker Heights, Ohio areas have already started to adorn their homes with festive decorations. And why wouldn’t they? Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah—whatever holiday you may celebrate, this time of year is filled with joyful celebrations, gatherings with loved ones, gift giving, delicious food and more. Unfortunately, while this is indeed a wonderful time of year for many of us, there are still thousands of people around the Cleveland, Ohio area who won’t experience the same joy. But there is something you can do to help give families in need a happy holiday. E.F. Boyd & Son Funeral Home encourages locals to get involved in community projects and non-profit events. By participating in holiday volunteer work or donating toys to those less fortunate, you can bring a smile to the faces of parents and children throughout the region. Interested in seasonal volunteering? Then why not look into the various opportunities that are available during this time of year?

Since Cleveland is such a large city, there are countless ways that you can get involved in holiday volunteer work. So, why not take the time to find the activity that is right for you? Whether you’d like to put in time at a soup kitchen, collect contributions for little ones, or sit with hospice patients, you’re bound to find a way to bring holiday cheer to those who are currently lacking in good spirits this season. Not only will it help benefit those in need, but it will make your own holiday that much more special. And you can even turn such an activity into an annual tradition for you and your family!

E.F. Boyd & Son Funeral Home knows there are many organizations around the Parma and Shaker Heights areas that participate in year-round giving, so you have quite a few options available to you when it comes to seasonal volunteering. For starters, you can participate in a community project in order to get everyone around you involved! One great organization you can look into is Toys for Tots. By contacting the Cuyahoga County chapter, you can donate toys, register an event, become a drop box site, or simply contribute some of your time. Since there are many children who will not receive toys for Christmas, you’ll be able to give something they’ll truly appreciate. And who wouldn’t love to be able to put a smile on a child’s face? Just visit www.toysfortots.org to look up the local branch.

The City Mission also needs donations. You can pack a Hope Tote full of personal care items, fulfill someone’s wish list, make a monetary contribution, or apply for one of their open volunteer positions. Plus, The City Mission usually has special events during this season, so be sure to keep a lookout for those as well. Visit www.thecitymission.org to learn more about this local organization.

If you’d like to have the opportunity to volunteer on a one-on-one basis, E.F. Boyd & Son encourages you to do so. While this season may be a cheerful time for many of us, there are those who have a difficult time during the holidays. Whether they are struggling with an illness or have recently lost a loved one, you can help by being there. There are many hospices around the area, such as the Hospice of the Western Reserve. So, why not look into doing some seasonal volunteering by simply interacting with those who are having a hard time? E.F. Boyd & Son Funeral Home knows that sometimes all a person needs is a friendly face or a hand to hold to make things a little better.

Even if you know your schedule will be jam-packed this season, you can make all the difference in the world by performing holiday volunteer work or simply donating toys to children in need. So, take this time to do some research into seasonal volunteering opportunities around the Parma, Ohio and Shaker Heights, Ohio areas. With so many different community projects in progress, you’re sure to find something that you and your family can do this season. E.F. Boyd & Son Funeral Home wants everyone in the greater Cleveland, Ohio area to have a wonderful holiday. And the best way to do that is to help others in need. For more information about E.F. Boyd’s own community involvement and upcoming events, visit www.efboyd.com or call 216.791.0770.