Many people think of the holidays as a time family bonding, homecooked meals, and gift giving with those that we love. Whether it be large dinners, stories being shared of childhood memories, or a fun game of rob your neighbor, it seems like everyone is always together. But what about those who can’t make it home for the holidays? While you might not think that is affects you personally, many service men and women and first responders will not be able to spend the holiday season with their family and loved ones. Instead, they’re sacrificing their holiday season to ensure that you will be able to celebrate, freely and safely, yours. This year I challenge you to stop thinking about receiving, but rather giving. Giving doesn’t necessarily have to be a gift of money, but rather love, thought, and a little bit of time to those who are giving all they must make sure your holidays are safe.

How can you help?

For service men and women: The USO (United Service Organization) not only provides for those who are deployed or stationed overseas, but they help keep them connected to their families, homes, and countries no matter where they are or under what conditions. There’s many different ways you can help the USO during this time of year. Whether it be through individual contributions, gift in honor or memory of a loved one, planned giving, or meaningful gifts for those in uniform. From the moment they join, all the way through their assignments, deployments, and then the transition back home, the USO makes sure services members and their families are stable and transitioning well. To find more ways to help or make a donation, go online to www.uso.org/take-action.

For first responders: Since many don’t get to be home for family dinner on Christmas Eve or Christmas day, one way to help and show your appreciation is to donate a homecooked meal to the station, or even just drop off some freshly baked cookies. You can donate bottles of water, toys so they can give them to children who are on the scene when the first responders show up, or even just drop off a thank you card. Sometimes the smallest gestures make the biggest impact for those who need a little Christmas cheer while they’re away from their families.

Even though many people struggle financially during the holidays, that doesn’t mean you should be a Grinch. Take an hour or two out of your day sometime during this holiday season and bake some cookies for your local first responders, write cards to those assigned or deployed overseas, donate gently used toys that you just have sitting in a box in the back of your closet, and remember to say thank you to those who are giving up their holiday for you. Because not everything has to be about how much you get, but rather it should be about how much you give.