While a joyous time of year, the holidays also can be very busy. Year-end work calendars, social engagements, shopping, holiday decorating, all take time. That’s why we wanted to let you know that giving doesn’t have to be time-consuming. Here are a few tips on what you can do this holiday season to extend the giving spirit and make a huge impact for the DRI Foundation:
Look for Matching Donations: If you work for a corporation, chances are they will match your donation to a specific charity. Even if you are not giving a large sum of money, don’t underestimate your power of giving, especially when it is multiplied with a matching gift. No donation is too small, and all donations make a huge impact for the Foundation in helping us to achieve our mission. You can donate online now at: https://drii.org/donation/
Shop and Give Back: You shop…Amazon gives…it’s that simple. Simply shop at smile.amazon.com, and Amazon will donate 0.5% of the purchase price to your favorite charitable organization (The DRI Foundation, of course). With millions of Amazon orders being processed over the holidays, we’re betting that at least a few of them are yours.
Donate Your Gift Card: Ever receive a gift card to a store from a distant relative or through a company grab bag that you know you’ll never use? Ever have a gift card with a few, unused dollars left to spend? Not a problem. Now you can exchange your store and restaurant gift cards for a charity donation. You will receive a tax receipt for the entire full value or any unused balance of your card. Learn more here.
Donate Your Time: Join us for Volunteer Day at DRI2017 in Las Vegas on Saturday, February 25. 2017. Visit driconference.org to choose one of the following volunteer opportunities:
Half Day: Three Square
Three Square is a food bank dedicated to providing wholesome food to hungry people while passionately pursuing a hunger-free community. Volunteers will be working in the Volunteer Room, which is the central operational support for all our programs and services. Volunteers will be involved in activities including, but not limited to, produce and grocery packing for individuals who receive meal assistance and mobile pantries; sorting and packing donated food and non-food items; and office support. You may be standing, bending, lifting, and walking on concrete in non-climate controlled areas.
Full Day: Veterans Village
Veterans Village is a transitional and permanent housing residence for United States Veterans. Volunteers will be doing light construction and will primarily be responsible for painting veterans’ apartment units.
Donate a Gift: The DRI Foundation is seeking donations of snacks for Volunteer Day at DRI2017. If you or your organization can help with this effort, please contact me at mostler@drii.org!
There you have it folks, my call to action this month is outlined above – Extend the giving spirit. Have a wonderful holiday season, and I look forward to seeing many of you in Las Vegas at DRI2017!
Michele Ostler
DRI Foundation
Chair of Volunteerism