Giving back, whether monetary or with your time, is needed year round in order to help those in our community. But during the Christmas season, the need is even greater to lend a helping hand.From volunteering for a cause that helps provide food for the elderly, like Meals on Wheels, to donating non-perishable food items in the MarketPlace drop boxes, there are plenty of ways to help out this holiday season.“There are many different ways to give back,” says Danielle Riviere, programme manager at the Centre on Philanthropy. “People can give back financially or by giving their time. Time can be just as important and can help support those organisations that are doing things to support the community during this time of year.”While there are many organisations that are in need of volunteers, Ms Riviere says it’s also important to look at the needs of people that are closest to you.“Giving of yourself by offering assistance to people in your own neighbourhood or family is equally as important,” she says. “These may be people who won’t necessarily go through an organisation for help, but they might need an hour to be taken to the grocery store or need to spend more time with their kids so mowing their lawn might be helpful.“It’s just looking in your own back yard and thinking about how you can support the people in your neighbourhood or your family.”While there is always a feel good aspect to giving back, helping out people or an organisation is always a great lesson to teach your children. Allowing children to purchase a gift and donate it to a toy drive, such as Toys for Tots, instils the values of giving back in the community, says Ms Riviere.If you plan to donate money in lieu of giving gifts, think about what the person is involved in or what causes they might support, she suggests.“There is the feel good factor of giving back no matter what your background or experience, and sometimes it’s just a person being there to say they are there to help that can really lift people’s spirits.”For ideas of volunteering opportunities, log on to www.volunteer.bmA Lott of Sista LoveNeed a good reason to help out someone in the community this Christmas?What better way than to provide items for families or children in need.A Lott of Sista Love, who are known for their successful charity drives in the past, have adopted a home for young teens just in time for the holidays. The charity’s hope is that each child will receive a gift or two, food for the holidays and a Christmas tree with all the trimmings what better way to brighten up their Christmas?Along with the Christmas gifts and supplies for the teen home, the charity also hopes to give food hampers to families in need providing all the essentials to make a full Christmas meal.“Our previous Back-To-School drive was a real eye opener for us in terms of how much people are in need in Bermuda,” explains Barbara Thomas, the charity’s coordinator. “We kept a list of people who were in need during the school drive, knowing that the need is all year round and that the need is there until you get back on your feet.”Vouchers, money and non-perishables are all welcome.The charity, which originally began in North Carolina, has only been on the Island for two years, but their aim is to try and make a difference in people’s lives especially women.“Throughout the year we hold workshops, from balancing a budget to talks from the Centre Against Abuse, anything we feel we can do to help women to become more empowered,” says Ms Thomas.For more information on how you can help make a difference in the lives of teens and families on the Island, contact Ms Thomas on 504-2290 or aloslbermuda[AT]yahoo.com.