Today sees the launch of the 12 Days of Christmas Homeless Push. As we’ve mentioned in the run-up, this isn’t about cash donations this month (although if you wish to donate money to your local homeless shelter or organization, please do).
Instead, 12for12k wants you to think of ways that you can physically help. To this end, and with the help of Mark Horvath and various homeless organizations, we’ve come up with these 12 suggestions for you. Themed around the 12 Days of Christmas, this is the 12for12k version – the 12 Days of Christmas Homeless Push.
It’s up to you which ones you choose, although obviously choosing all 12 will make the biggest impact. And whatever you decide to do, record it. Photographs, videos, blogs, social networks – your choice. Sharing can only make more people aware, and encourage more help – and that’s always a good thing.And 12for12k will share your stories on our community, so please consider joining if you haven’t already.
So… on with the 12 suggestions.
- Day 1. Contact your local homeless shelter(s) and ask what they need. Make a list and work from there.
- Day 2. Gather 10 friends each (family, friends, colleagues) in preparation for Helping Day.
- Day 3. Challenge these friends to a bake-off. Bake a bunch of homemade goodness – soup, stews, cookies, etc – ready for Helping Day.
- Day 4. Clean out your closet (especially your husband’s, 12for12k wives!), and pack up all the old clothes that you find. Coats, socks, underwear, shoes, jeans – anything and everything.
- Day 5. Go through your linen closet and think of what blankets, sleeping bags, duvets, etc, that you no longer need.
- Day 6. Check your pantry – do you really need all these tins of soup or canned stew? Collect and store.
- Day 7. Invite a homeless person for coffee. Go to a Starbucks or McDonald’s, buy a combo, sit and talk. Get to know the person behind the story.
- Day 8. Go grocery shopping. Find 2-for-1 deals and buy what you can afford. Save the second item for Helping Day.
- Day 9. Kids are homeless too. Collect all your childrens’ unwanted toys and box up. This includes books as well.
- Day 10. Go to your local fast food/coffee house and buy a bunch of gift cards ready for handing out.
- Day 11. This one’s an easy one – share with your networks what’s happening and get them involved.
- Day 12. This is Helping Day. Go to a shelter, take everything you and your friends/family have collected, and help. One hour; six hours; all day – it doesn’t matter. Help – serve food; give out packages; talk to people; befriend someone. Simply put – be human to another human being.
This isn’t an exhaustive list; it’s simply suggestions. Please, feel free to leave other suggestions in the comments, or join our community and let us know what you’re doing. And make sure you follow 12for12k on Twitter for all the latest updates on what everyone is doing.
Christmas is a time for giving; let’s give to those that need it the most. Thank you.
Mark & 12for12k,
As always, your work is an inspiration. Count on Heroes to do our part. We’re involved in local drives for in-kind donations and delivering the items to our homeless this weekend. The caring continues next week with the collection of more food, coats, hats, gloves, socks, sleeping bags, blankets, and care. Next weekend we’re hitting the streets again to deliver our stash. We’ll document with videos and photos.
Thank you Mark. Great job!
Hey there Aaron,
Thank you, and here’s to all you do – look forward to seeing your stories!
- Danny.
I especially like #7 on the list…that can really change someones life.
Twitter: JoeHage
Danny, “donate” should be among the items in the primary nav. I plan to donate … now have to poke around.
Keep up the good work. Perhaps we’ll meet in person in 2010?
Joe Hage´s last blog ..Stratego explained by a 5 year old
Hi Joe,
There’s normally a donate option, but the reason there isn’t one this month is that we’re encouraging involvement in people’s backyards, if you like.
December is a fore-runner as to how 12for12k will evolve throughout 2010 and beyond. There will be donation options for specifically supported charities in 2010, but for the most part 12for12k will be turning into an international resource and support organization – I think people will be pleasantly surprised.
Cheers!
Hey Danny -
Starting with a blog post… Check it out: http://bit.ly/IowLO.
At the office – we have food, donation and toy drive going to Regent Park & Toy Mountain. @kelbearsfan & I are on board to help with the Shelters next weekend.
Personally, wanting to focus on youth shelters. Let’s make a difference for the future – today!
Judi (aka: @chieflemonhead)
Always wanted to get involved in my area of Westchester, NY helping homeless women learn how to “dress for less” and take care of their skin and apply makeup etc. I am thinking of going back to school for aesthetics. Also I have been there in the past and I know what it can be like.
Those are just some wonderful ideas. Hopefully, everyone can find a little time to help those less fortunate then themselves this holiday.
thanks for the list . we will integrate the best ideas and promote them .
but #10
- bad for the children : fast food ?
- bad for the environment : plastic gift cards ?
thank you