7 Volunteer Opportunities for Residents This Holiday Season
By April Miller
Posted on November 20, 2015, November 20, 2015

This Holiday Season

The holiday season is for making memories with loved ones and being grateful for everything you have. It's also a great time to lend a helping hand to those who don't have everything they need in The American Dream City.

Here are seven opportunities in Arlington to give back to the community this holiday season:

1. Arlington Turkey Trot

This Thanksgiving, some Arlington residents are running for charity before they eat their share of turkey. The sixth annual USMD Arlington Turkey Trot benefits The Shoe Bank, a Metroplex-based non profit organization. It will be hosted by the Arlington Convention Center, and participants will make their way through the Entertainment District, beginning and ending the race at Globe Life Park. 8 a.m. marks the start of the “Puffin for Stuffin" one mile run, and the 5K Run/Walk will begin at 8:30. The cost is $21 for the one mile run and the 5K Untimed, $25 for the 5K Timed, and an additional $10 for strollers.

2. Mission Arlington/Mission Metroplex

Mission Arlington has a number of volunteer opportunities throughout the holiday season. The non-profit organization has been providing families in need with Thanksgiving meals for decades, and this year is no exception. They are still in need of turkeys, hams, canned vegetables, stuffing, and pie crust, along with a number of other foods. Volunteers are also needed in the days and weeks leading up to Thanksgiving, as well as on Thanksgiving morning at 8 a.m. to deliver food. Last year, Mission Arlington volunteers delivered Thanksgiving meals to 23,404 people. From December 12-23, volunteers are needed for the Christmas Store as shopper helpers, stockers, child care providers, and more. To schedule a time for your group to volunteer, call 817-277-6620 ext. 6160.

3. Parks and Recreation's Drive Away Hunger Canned Food Drive

This year, Arlington Golf is teaming up with Mission Arlington in its Drive Away Hunger Canned Food Drive. Those who bring three or more non-perishable canned goods to any Arlington golf course before November 25 will receive 20% of their green fee and cart, 15% off non-sale merchandise at any Arlington Golf Pro Shop, or 10% off food and non-alcoholic drink at Ventana Grille.

4. SafeHaven of Tarrant County

SafeHaven of Tarrant County has several opportunities for community involvement and donation this holiday season. From December 11-19, the Santa's Sack Program will be collecting new toys, books, clothes, and other gifts to be used in SafeHaven's Christmas store for moms escaping domestic violence. Items will be collected at two drop off centers, one in Arlington, 436 Lincoln Square, and one in Fort Worth, 827 Currie. You can also adopt one of SafeHaven's transitional living families for Christmas and receive a profile including sizes and gift wishes. To adopt a family, call Barb Reese at 817-502-7168. There are also group/corporate volunteer opportunities for hosting donation drives and working holiday events. If interested, call 817-502-7133.

5. Salvation Army Youth Education Town

The Salvation Army is looking for volunteers for its annual Bell Ringing from November 27 through December 24 Monday through Saturday. Your group can commit for five hours from either 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. or 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. or for the whole day.

6. River Legacy Park

River Legacy Park is looking for volunteers for its Gift Wrapping Extravaganza at the Barnes & Noble in the Parks Mall. Gift wrappers will wrap presents for contributions to the River Legacy Foundation and its environmental education programs, as well as provide information about River Legacy's programs. The dates for the extravaganza are December 7,13,14,17,18,19,21,22,23, and 24. Volunteers must be 15 years or older and wear either a River Legacy volunteer T-shirt, which is $8, or the shirt of their organization if they come in a group. River Legacy is also looking for volunteers for its November and December Privet Removal Patrol on the third Saturday of each month. During the patrol, volunteers help remove an invasive plant that can disturb the natural ecosystem along the Trinity River.

7. National Wreaths Across America Day

Last year, about 1,000 volunteers placed 10,000 wreaths on graves at DFW National Cemetery. Organizershope this year will be even bigger, and participants from every community in the Metroplex, including Arlington, are needed to make it happen.Individuals, families, and businesses can donate wreaths on the DFW National Wreaths Across America website. For every two wreaths donated, the national organization donates an additional three.Then on December 11, 2015, volunteers will gather to distribute the wreaths across the cemetery for December 12's ceremony. Volunteers will meet Saturday, December 12 at 10:45 a.m. at the DFW National Cemetery, 2000 Mountain Creek Pkwy. Dallas, 72511. The ceremony begins at 10:50, and they start laying wreaths around 11:30. Volunteers will also be needed January 20 for cleanup.

Holidays
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