The holiday season is here! It’s the perfect time to be thankful, spend time with family and friends, enjoy good food, and spread some cheer. For many of us, the holidays are filled with warmth, laughter, and comfort. We’re lucky to have family and friends by our side, food on the table, a place to call home, and presents waiting under the tree.
But it’s important to remember that not everyone shares this experience. For some, the holidays can be a lonely or difficult time, marked by struggles to find a meal, a safe place to sleep, or a reason to smile. While it’s great to reflect on all we have to be thankful and grateful for, the holiday season is also the perfect opportunity to lend a hand and make a difference in the lives of those who need it most.
Now, let’s address the question many agents wrestle with: Should I share my community goodwill on social media? It’s a valid concern—we’ve all cringed at posts that come off as self-serving or overly staged.
Here’s my take: Sharing how you give back—whether through volunteering, donations, or small acts of kindness—has the power to inspire meaningful conversations and motivate others to get involved. The key is to approach it with authenticity and intention. When done thoughtfully, your efforts can build genuine connections and demonstrate the values that make you not just a great agent but a community leader.
Let’s take a look.
Volunteer Your Time
Giving your time is one of the most impactful ways to help during the holiday season. Here are a few ways you can get started:
- Meals on Wheels: Help deliver meals to people who can’t leave their homes, pack meals, or sponsor a holiday dinner for someone in need. Find out what volunteer opportunities are available and sign up by checking out the Meals on Wheels volunteer site.
- Food Banks: These organizations need help sorting and packing food for families in need. You can sign up as a volunteer at a local food pantry or make a financial contribution to organizations like Action Against Hunger or Feed The Children.
- Serve at Shelters: Many shelters and soup kitchens need extra help during the holidays to prepare and serve meals. Visit Feeding America or Metropolitan Ministries to find a shelter near you.
Of course, giving your time isn’t just limited to the holiday season—it’s something you can do all year long. To keep your efforts authentic, consider sharing a quick Story each time you volunteer. This not only highlights the incredible work these organizations do but also demonstrates that your involvement is ongoing rather than a once-a-year activity.
I typically post a quick snapshot or video when I spend the day with New Life Warehouse in Tampa to bring attention to everything they do for local families:
Donate Gifts and Essentials
Programs like Toys for Tots and Adopt-a-Family make it easy to bring holiday joy to those in need. These efforts ensure that even the smallest gestures—like a wrapped toy or a new pair of gloves—can brighten someone’s holiday.
- Toys for Tots: Run by the U.S. Marine Corps, this program collects toys for kids who might not otherwise get presents. You can set up a collection box at your office or donate toys directly.
- Adopt-a-Family or Adopt-a-Child: Shop for gifts and necessities for families or children in need. These programs are often run by local charities, churches, or organizations like the Salvation Army.
- Habitat for Humanity: Help build homes for families or volunteer at their Habitat Re-Stores, where you can assist with inventory and stocking shelves. You can find opportunities in your local area by checking out their website.
- Donation Drive: Don’t underestimate the power of organizing a drive for essentials like canned goods, winter coats, blankets, or hygiene or care kits.
Krys Benyamein turned a donation drive into a team-building activity by participating in a local Turkey Trot. The team didn’t stop with the trot, though—they also set up a table to serve coffee and breakfast, host some giveaways and collect canned goods.
Before the trot, Krys sent out an open invitation on social media, encouraging everyone to join. I love this call to action because it has nothing to do with real estate and instead showcases the team’s involvement in the community.
Get Creative
If you want to go beyond traditional methods, think outside the box:
- Thank First Responders: Drop off cookies or gift baskets at fire stations, hospitals, or police stations to thank those who work through the holidays.
- Go Caroling: Visit nursing homes to sing holiday songs and bring cheer to residents who may not have family nearby. This always brings a smile to their faces!
- Send Cards to Troops: Write heartfelt holiday cards to soldiers who can’t be home. The Red Cross’s Holidays for Heroes program can help you get started.
Here’s one I love: every year, Shannon Gillette and her team take hundreds of kids living in foster homes on a shopping spree. On social media, she makes it all about the cause—last year, she hooked the audience with a heartwarming story and shared several ways members of her community can get involved.
Spread Kindness
Random acts of kindness can go a long way! Leave a candy cane with a cheerful note, pay for someone’s coffee, or surprise a stranger with a kind gesture. Little things can brighten someone’s day and spread holiday joy.
Last year, Shane Burgman gave away gift cards at Walmart right before Thanksgiving, and captured some impromptu conversations that took place along the way:
Helping others doesn’t have to take a lot of time or money. Every small effort adds up, and together, everyone can make the season brighter! And remember—giving back doesn’t just have to be exclusive to the holidays. Several of the organizations mentioned and many more need volunteers throughout the year. So in 2025, make time to do good. I promise you won’t regret it!
