During the season of thanks, there were many service opportunities for those wanting to share their gratitude towards others. Some examples included soup kitchens, community cleanups, and donating. This Thanksgiving season, many companies offered charitable activities here in Florida. Students, as well as adults, were able to participate in assisting those in need. 

On November 23, Branches Trish and the Bell Family Empowerment Centers provided a 2023 Thanksgiving meal delivery which consisted of packaging, serving, and delivering over 5,000 foods throughout Miami-Dade and Broward county. There were also other service opportunities in Hollywood during the Thanksgiving season. You could have volunteered at your local soup kitchen.  If you did not have the time to commit to community service, there were also some charitable organizations to support such as the international organization, Salvation Army,  and the national organization, Feeding America. Many altruistic students enjoy helping the community through service at Goodwill; Gift-A-Family, which consists of volunteers choosing a family in need to support; Giving Thanks to Heroes; and other service opportunities.  If you not only wanted to support organizations in Florida but also wanted to support people in need globally, you may have donated to Nathanial’s Hope.

To find out if your charitable service and contributions are eligible for service hours at STA, check service track on the St. Thomas Aquinas website. Service opportunities are abundant throughout the winter season, and many opportunities have appeared to give back to  others such as Make-A-Wish; Prison Fellowship, which aims to help kids whose parents are in prison; and Toys for Tots, which give children gifts for the Christmas season when their parents can’t afford them. As a child, it was probably such a joyful time of the year to wake up early with your parents and open the gifts that you always wanted. With that thought in mind, it would be amazing for the kids without the funds or parents to be able to receive that same joyful opportunity that others have. Christmas is the time of giving, and what better way to do that than by donating!