24 Random Acts of Kindness You Can Implement This Christmas

Christmas is the perfect time of year to slow down, to count your blessings and be grateful for the things you have.

It’s also a great time of year to take the time to do small acts of kindness others and teach your kids to do the same.

Today I sat down with our children and with their help, we have compiled a list of Random Acts of kindness that you can easily implement over December.

1. Check on neighbours and see if there is anything you can help with

2. Send a box of chocolates or gourmet hamper to a nurses station

3. Register as an organ donor

4. Cook dinner for a friend or family member

5. Feed an expired parking meter

6. Compliment someone

7. Offer to carrying someone’s bag/s

8. Buy someone flowers just because.

9. Mow your neighbours lawn after mowing your own

10. Drop off cat/dog food to a local rescue organisation

11. Donate blood

12. Write someone a thank you note

13. Hold the door open for someone

14. Place a gift under a wishing tree

15. Send an email to someone just to say

16. Send through a compliment to the business owner when you receive great service

17. Share a business lead

18. Tell someone why you respect them

19. Send a box of chocolates or gourmet hamper to a nurses station

20. Register as an organ donor

21. Leave a note admiring a strangers garden

22. Pay for the car behind you at the drive through

23. Leaving a glowing review for a business you love

24. Gift a book that will resonate with someone having a hard time

25.Take a friend to the movies

26 Place a present under a giving tree.

Geelong is full of amazing organisations and not for profits who could benefit from your donations, whether that be your time, your money or your unneeded items.

I have compiled a list of local organisations that need could use our help, especially over the busy Christmas period.

Peace Bro Co - Wildlife Rescue

A wildlife rescue organisation servicing Geelong and Bellarine run by Ben Dekker and his team of volunteers.

Ben sells hoodies, tshirts and other apparel

https://www.facebook.com/pg/Peacebrocowildliferescuegeelong/about/?ref=page_internal

Geelong Foundation

The Geelong Community Foundation believes that our community has needs which are not being met from other funding sources. The Geelong Community Foundation encourages individuals, families, corporates and other organisations to make donations to meet these needs, now and in the future.

https://www.geelongfoundation.org/giving/how-to-donate

Geelong Mums

Their mission is to rehome pre-loved nursery goods to support Victorian families in need while saving the earth’s precious resources.

They collect, sort and redistribute essential nursery equipment, clothing, books and toys for babies and school age children.

https://www.geelongmums.org/pages/donate-things

Barwon Health Foundation

The activities of the Barwon Health Foundation are directed towards the following objectives:

To raise funds for the purchase of equipment and medical facilities
To help increase patient comfort and care
To fund medical research and scholarships undertaken by Barwon Health
To raise funds for vital capital campaigns

https://barwonhealthfoundation.org.au/about-us

Foundation 61

Foundation 61 provides a live-in community on the outskirts of Geelong, offering hope and direction for people dealing with life controlling issues. These issues are often, but not exclusively, associated with the use of drugs and alcohol.

Donations can be made through their website and they are currently looking for volunteers to assist them.

https://www.foundation61.org.au/about-us/mission

Lifeline Geelong

Lifelifine run a 24 hour telephone crisis support service for people in crisis. Every single day, Lifeline Geelong Barwon Region makes a huge difference to people’s lives through a broad range of programs and services that deliver information and support to the most vulnerable members of our community.

They are currently looking for volunteers and accepting donations.

https://www.geelonglifeline.org.au/

Samaritan House Geelong

Samaritan House Geelong exists to help men experiencing homelessness - our guests - in the Greater Geelong Region by providing welcoming accommodation, an evening meal and ongoing support.

Their vision is to both provide crisis accommodation and work alongside their guests to transition to a better and stable future.

https://www.samaritanhousegeelong.com.au/

Geelong Animal Welfare

There are many ways to support GAWS and their incredible work. They provide rehoming services for thousands of lost, stray and abandoned animals.

They need you and want you on board with them! There are many ways to support by, become a regular donor today, workplace giving, corporate supporter or volunteer.

For more information contact fundraising@gaws.org.au.

Barwon Child, Youth and family

https://www.bcyf.org.au/what-we-do/youth-services/homelessness-services

The Little Teapot Cafe

The Little Teapot Cafe is run by a team of dedicated staff and volunteers who dream of seeing every person connected and loved for who they are. The Cafe is a welcoming space for families to attend and connect with other parents and also proceeds go to programs run int the community that help families. You can donate directly through their website or volunteer your time in the cafe.

The Winged Horse

http://www.thewingedhorse.org/

The Winged Horse Equine Welfare Inc is a not-for-profit, registered charity based locally in Portarlington. They take in unwanted, neglected or slaughter-bound horses and other animals to rehabilitate, support and eventually find them their perfect home.

Geelong Animal Rescue

GAR (Geelong Animal Rescue GAR Ltd) is often confused with GAWS (Geelong Animal Welfare Society). Whilst GAR does assist GAWS with re-homing GAWS animals, we are completely separate entities. GAWS is the animal shelter in Moolap, with a full time in-house vet and paid staff.

GAR has none of these.

GAR operates from within the homes of its volunteers. All GAR volunteers and members are unpaid and donate their time and effort to provide a voice for the unwanted animals of Geelong and wider Victoria.

http://geelonganimalrescue.org.au/

Feed Geelong

Feed Geelong exists to address hunger and immediate food insecurity in the Geelong / G21 region. Our aim is to raise awareness of the food insecurity crisis on our doorstep whilst raising valuable funds to assist our region’s emergency food relief system which is working on a daily basis to helping the men, women and children in our community who are struggling to put three nutritious meals on the table each day.

https://www.feedgeelong.org.au/about

Geelong Food Relief Centre

The Geelong Food Relief Centre operates two mini-marts in the G21 region where disadvantaged members of the community can access emergency food relief via a voucher redemption system. Clients receive these vouchers from our charity partners after being assessed.

In 2016, we assisted over 12,000 families equating to 32,730 individuals with our aim to provide a range of nutritious food to those in need. GFRC distributed 321,796 kgs of food in 2016.

https://geelongfoodrelief.org/

Sunny Days Rescue and Rehab

Sunny Days Rescue and Rehab, do exactly as the name suggest, assisting in the rehab & rehoming of animals in the Geelong region, particularly stray born cats & ex-racing greyhounds.

To donate pls use the following account details:

Name: SunnyDays

BSB: 063512

Acc: 10988226

https://www.facebook.com/pg/sunnydaysrescueandrehab/about/?ref=page_internal