Eight years ago we tragically lost my Grandfather on Christmas Eve. It’s crazy how it sometimes takes losing a life to remind us just how precious life itself is and what it means to really be living. It took me a few years to figure out how to navigate the holiday season again. I was a mess for the first couple of years. After that I was an angry Scrooge, but finally I found a productive way to not only cope with my loss, but to find myself enjoying and feeling in the spirit of the season again. Instead of being a bystander, isolated by the loss and sadness I battled for six weeks from Thanksgiving through Christmas, I became a participant. I discovered the power of giving back. I couldn’t ease the pain in my own family member’s hearts, but I realized I still had the opportunity to impact someone else’s life in a meaningful way. I took on an “Adopt a Family” sponsorship at my company, and it lit a fire within me that has been burning with every holiday season since then.
We live in complex, delicate times. Sometimes that means life can be stressful or discouraging. A lot of us have faced a loss or challenge at some point in the past 365 days. The holidays can be particularly tough because although it’s a time when we’re expected to be exceptionally happy and festive, we don’t always feel that sentiment. I have found that when I am feeling hopeless or helpless, there is nothing greater than taking control of a situation. The minute I started organizing the gifts for the family my company sponsored, I felt a sense of productivity and control that I hadn’t felt in a long time. It was like I was actively channeling all the negative stuff, and turning it into a positive outcome for someone else in need.
This holiday season I invite YOU to give back – whether you’re feeling festive or feeling like a scrooge. Let the holidays be the excuse you need to get involved! Below are 22 ways you could give back to the Monadnock Community of NH between now and the New Year. And allow me to offer my biased perspective as a resident of Keene that it’s a pretty awesome, well deserving population to be served! One of the things that brought me back to the Granite State to plant my roots is the way this town takes care of its own people. The holidays are a spectacular time to give it all we’ve got and let our actions speak louder than our words for our fellow neighbors.
Not everything on the list requires you digging into your pockets and just forking your money over. It can be as simple as donating those dusty cans that have gone unused in your cupboards. Purchase a poinsettia or a gift from a local craft fair when shopping and you’ll have a gift to show for it – as well as have supported a great cause! Take your kids, your siblings, or your niece or nephews to see the Harlem Ambassadors, Life is a Cabaret or the Nutcracker and enjoy an entertaining evening, while supporting a great organization. And if you’re really strapped for cash, because let’s be honest – it’s the holidays – volunteer your time! Show up at Cedarcrest and watch the tree light up, as well as the little kids faces – when they see all the love and support their local community has to offer them. Serve a hot meal at the Community Kitchen or the Hundred Nights Shelter. And if all else fails, just share this post! Spread the spirit of the season – and gently remind people what it’s really all about.
22 Upcoming Events in the Keene Area:
Now – Annual Holiday Sponsorship Program @ City of Keene. Contact Natalie Darcy @ ndarcy@ci.keene.nh.us if your company is interested in providing Christmas for a family in need.
11/14 – 11/15 – Add a donation at the checkout at the Keene Walgreens to support community strengthening programs at the Keene Family YMCA.
11/14 – 11/18 – Holiday Food Drive to benefit the Keene Community Kitchen @ Body & Soul Personalized Fitness, LLC.
Wednesday, 11/16 – Orders due for 21st Annual Poinsettia Sale to Benefit Hospice @ Home Healthcare Hospice & Community Services of Keene.
Now thru 11/23 – Holiday Food Drive to benefit the Keene Community Kitchen @ The Bread Shed.
Now thru 11/30 – Buy a blue Hannaford Helps Reusable Bag @ Keene Hannaford and the Monadnock Humane Society receives $1/every bag.
Friday, 11/18 – Harlem Ambassadors vs. Rotaract Rebels 7p @ Keene Highschool hosted by the Greater Keene Rotaract Club.
Saturday, 11/19 – Monadnock Developmental Services Art/Craft Show from 10’am – 3pm @ St. George Church, 60 West Street in Keene.
Saturday, 11/19– “Life is a Cabaret” Performance, Auction & Sweet Treats at 7:30pm @ Shattuck Golf Course in Jaffrey, NH.
Saturday, 11/19 – 1,000 Cans in 1,000 Minutes – Support the Keene Community Kitchen Food Drive accepting donations from 6’am thru 10pm @ 41 Central Square in Keene.
Thanksgiving Day, 11/24 – Wobble Gobble – 9am @ Rec Center of Keene. Proceeds of this four mile course to benefit the Cross Country and Track Teams of Keene High. Walkers and runners welcome!
11/27 thru 12/11 – Spread Love; 400 Blessing Bags for the Monadnock Region @ Joslin House Room 008 in the basement of KSC. For two weeks this drive will gather goods and products with the goal of collecting 400 bags – 100 each for babies, children, women and men. Assembly day will be on Sunday, December 11th from 11am-2pm.
Tuesday, 11/29 – Keene Young Professionals Network serves dinner from 4pm – 7pm @ Keene Community Kitchen, 37 Mechanic Street in Keene.
12/1 thru 12/31 – Buy a blue Hannaford Helps Reusable Bag @ Keene Hannaford and Home Healthcare, Hospice & Community Services receives$1/every bag.
Thursday, 12/1 – Wheelock School PTA Craft Fair/Shopping Extravaganza 4pm – 7pm @ Wheelock Elementary School, 24 Adams Street in Keene.
Saturday, 12/3 – Fenton Family Community Drive @ Hannafords, Market Basket, the Monadnock Food Co-op, and Walmart.
Saturday, 12/3 – 10th Annual Handcrafted for the Holidays Craft Fair 10am – 3pm @ Monadnock Humane Society, 101 W. Swanzey Road in Swanzey. Over 50 local crafters, hot lunch, pet photos, fabulous brown bag raffle, and more! Best of all, all proceeds go to the care of the homeless animals!
Wednesday, 12/7 – Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony – 4:30 – 5:15pm @ Cedarcrest Center for Children, 91 Maple Street in Keene. Meet the children of the Cedarcrest Center and join us as one of the children “throws the switch!” Holiday songs, cookies, and hot chocolate to be enjoyed by all. Please come share in children’s experience of the holiday season!
Saturday, 12/10 – 2nd Annual Scores Running Club Ugly Sweater Run & Food Drive 10’am. @ Scores Sports Bar & Grille, 82 Main Street. Wear your ‘ugliest’ holiday sweater, lace up your running shoes, and bring a non-perishable food donation item for the three mile fun run/walk. Prizes for the ugliest sweater!
Saturday, 12/10 – 3rd Annual Holiday Auction for 100 Nights Shelter 9’am @ Dining Hall at the United Church of Christ on Central Square, in Keene, NH.
Saturday, 12/10 – Holiday Craft Fair @ Keene Community Kitchen, 37 Mechanic Street in Keene.
12/16 – 12/18 – MoCo Arts Presents the Nutcracker @ Redfern Arts Center at KSC.
Don’t Miss the Ugly Sweater Run on December 10th!
The post ‘Tis the Season: 22 Ways to Give Back to the Monadnock Region this Holiday Season appeared first on Stay Work Play New Hampshire.