By Maddie Remund
By the time December has rolled around, many kids have perfected their letters to Santa, dreaming of what they hope to find underneath the tree. But what if, alongside their wishlists, your family created a list of ways to give back? “The reality is, a lot of times what we get for Christmas we don’t really need,” said John Cass, Executive Director at United Way of the Black Hills. “It becomes more about what we want.”
The holidays are an opportunity to look beyond ourselves. “We intrinsically have a desire as humans to give back, when we have the capability to give back,” John said. And during a season that can be especially difficult for some, those acts of kindness can mean even more. “Christmas is considered one of the loneliest holidays of the year,” he added. For families wondering where to start, there are plenty of local ways to make a difference.
Local Ways to Give Back
Dress the Presidents
Rapid City’s annual tradition of “dressing the presidents” gives families a simple and meaningful way to keep someone in the community warm during the winter months. Bring new or slightly used winter gear, like hats, gloves, scarves, coats, or any other cold weather items, and place them on the statues around downtown for someone in need to take. It’s a great way to teach children about generosity and showing compassion for neighbors, while contributing to a uniquely Rapid City tradition. Kindness is waiting around every corner!
Feeding South Dakota
Help ensure no family goes hungry this holiday season. Families can organize a neighborhood or school food drive, volunteer at a food distribution event, or make a one-time or recurring donation to support hunger relief year-round. Even involving children in picking out non-perishable food items can spark meaningful conversations around gratitude, generosity, and caring for neighbors in need.
Humane Society of the Black Hills
The holidays can be a wonderful time to lend a helping paw. The Humane Society of the Black Hills welcomes support through monetary donations, supplies like pet food, blankets, towels, and toys, as well as volunteer opportunities for those who meet the age requirements. Families looking to make an even bigger impact may consider fostering or adopting a pet. It’s a significant way to teach children compassion, while helping animals find the care and love they deserve — bonus points for scoring the best gift ever!
Meals on Wheels Western South Dakota
Meals on Wheels Western South Dakota relies on volunteers to deliver nutritious meals to homebound seniors throughout the community. Beyond providing a meal, volunteers also offer a friendly smile, a quick conversation, and an important wellness check for individuals who may otherwise spend much of the day alone. For families looking to introduce their children to volunteering, Meals on Wheels can be a great place to start. A delivery route offers kids the chance to see firsthand how small acts of kindness can brighten someone’s day.
Angel Tree
The Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program gives families the opportunity to provide gifts for children in need during the holiday season. Simply choose an angel from a local angel tree or browse an online registry, shop for the requested items, and return the unwrapped gifts by the designated deadline. Families can also volunteer to help organize donations or assist with gift distribution. It’s a simple way to teach children that one thoughtful gift can make someone’s Christmas a little bit brighter.
Black Hills Toy Drive
Share the joy of a new toy! The Black Hills Toy Drive helps ensure local children wake up to something special on Christmas morning. Families can support the effort by donating new, unwrapped toys at designated collection sites or contributing financially to help purchase gifts for children in need. Involving kids in choosing a toy to donate is a simple but powerful way to encourage generosity, and remind them that sharing the joy of Christmas can be just as exciting as opening presents themselves.
Giving back doesn’t need to be grand to make a difference. Whether your family decides to donate, serve, or volunteer, doing so together can help brighten someone else’s holiday while creating meaningful opportunities to connect as a family. These experiences can teach children the impact of kindness and allow them to focus on something beyond themselves.
Perhaps, that’s where the truer meaning of Christmas is found — not in what’s underneath the tree, but in how we choose to show up for one another. Sometimes the greatest gift you can give is simply your time, to remind someone they are cared for, valued and not alone.