While of course known for the repetitive Christmas songs, warm hot cocoa, and chilly weather, the holiday season is marked by one important ideal above all else: the satisfaction of giving.

However, seeking ways to connect and give back to the community during this hectic time is as difficult as it is important. 

Thankfully, a very accessible option for many is the ability to volunteer at the Raritan Food Pantry.

The pantry gives directly back to the people in need right here in the Bridgewater-Raritan community. It is situated right in Raritan and volunteering at the pantry is available to students as young as 13. Go to raritanfoodpantry.org for more information and ways to contribute!

If wishing to work more directly with people of the community, Avalon Assisted Living has volunteer opportunities available at their campuses, including the one located in Bridgewater. Here, you have the opportunity to work one on one with the residents in social activities that include crafts, games, and small group activities. If interested in bringing joy to local seniors in the area, go to bshcare.com.

Finally, if looking for more long term volunteer opportunities to enter the new year with, consider looking to ENGin.

ENGin is an organization devoted to helping increase the fluency of English in the people of Ukraine. Even before the tragic reality of current events, Ukraine had one of the lowest fluency rates of English in Europe, and the need for this skill has only become more imperative with the development of the war. All meetings are conducted online, and the program recommends preparing for a 12-week commitment if looking to volunteer.

This is an extremely fulfilling and worthwhile opportunity that can be conducted from the comfort of home, and can change the lives of people across the world. Going to www.enginprogram.org gives all the information needed to understand the program and steps to becoming a volunteer.

Suggestions and opportunities discussed here are of course not limited to exclusively the holiday season, nor should they only be taken advantage of in the period of only two  to three months during the year. But the benefit of volunteering around the holidays means volunteering now, and that is as good as a time to volunteer as any.