Giving back a timeless holiday gift

Dazzling lights and jolly cheers are lighting up cities everywhere, meaning the holiday season is already in full swing. But beyond celebrations, it is also the perfect season for giving back and driving positive social impact on local communities. Giving back is not just about giving money, it is a social responsibility that we need to adhere to, especially to those who are relatively affluent.

You can give back in different ways; whether it is donating money, participating in community initiatives, or doing volunteer work. At the end of the day, it shares the same goal —uplifting communities and spreading the holiday cheer.

If you are planning to give to charity during the holidays or at the end of the year, here are some ways to get you started:

The gift of education. In the Philippines, putting money in education is like planting seeds for a brighter future. The quality of education greatly affects a learner on their academic growth. Because education is considered as a vital tool for development, supporting children and their education is indispensable.

One way to support them in their academic journey is by investing in scholarship programs. Another one is funding educational resources, learning platforms, and technologies to improve learning outcomes. Supporting student and teacher training and development is another, ensuring they acquire the necessary skills and knowledge needed for the future. There are also investment opportunities in improving education facilities and other school infrastructure projects.

The gift of health and hope. Healthcare is another advisable initiative to get into, especially when one of the meaningful ways to give back is creating a healthier society. While it is easy to talk about staying healthy, sometimes, actually doing it can be pretty challenging. This holiday season, a time of joy and celebration, can also be a time of increased diseases and illnesses, and diving into healthcare initiatives is definitely a good call.

To improve health outcomes, consider donating to local health organizations, medical missions, sponsoring health education programs, or even investing in healthcare technologies and facilities.

The gift of a healthier planet. By now, anyone can see that a beautiful planet is undeniably a healthy one. Keep in mind that while the holiday season is full of joyfulness and festivities, environmental impacts are still there, and it can eventually worsen.

Hence, this year, we should celebrate the holidays by embracing environmental initiatives and putting them into action. One way to do this is through investments. Try impact investing, which focuses on important social and environmental causes, or supporting environmental organizations dedicated to addressing specific environmental issues or projects, like environmental conservation, sustainable agriculture, ocean preservation, and utilization of renewable energy and energy-efficient technologies.

Gift of partnerships. To further amplify efforts to help local communities, partnerships and collaborative initiatives are the way to go. When searching for collaborative initiatives, it is important to make sure that your goals align with theirs. You might consider working with or investing in non-profit organizations, academic institutions, government agencies, or other charitable organizations.

By working together on social responsibility — be it supporting the educational journey of Filipino students, improving access to healthcare, or promoting sustainable efforts — wealthy individuals and businesses can have a significant impact on the lives of Filipinos. Moreover, the gift of collaboration and partnerships will help uplift communities and lead substantial change.

The act of service, and more importantly, giving back to society is one way to celebrate the holidays and spread the cheer. This will help you fulfill your sense of purpose, create stronger communities, bring joy, and inspire others. Honestly, what could be better than spreading joy this time of the year?