The Busy Person’s Guide to Giving Back

The holidays are a terrific time to show how much you care, about your customers, about your employees, and about your community. However, most of our schedules are so busy, we can’t spare the time to get involved. There are many ways you can express your gratitude, help others, and even generate a little positive publicity in the process that take little time and effort. Here are just a few we hope will inspire you this holiday season.

Santa Clara County:

• Hold a food drive at your office to benefit Second Harvest Food Bank
• Donate your old car to Charity Cars for Kids
• Drop off some dog food, pet toys, or blankets at your local animal shelter
• Make a donation to Project Hope
• Make a tax deductible donation to the Humane Society Silicon Valley

Nationwide:

• Visit Feeding America’s website to locate your local foodbank
• Donate coats and other cold-weather clothing to Goodwill
• Donate your old car to Kars 4 Kids
• Purchase dog food or a toy and donate it to homeless pets through PetSmart charities
• Request that any gifts sent your way be donated to the charity of your choice
• Donate your old cell phones to Lifecell and provide clean drinking water to those in need
• Give blood at a nearby blood bank or hospital
• Make holiday purchases from companies that give back (like those listed below)
  Out of Print
  GoodSearch
  Michael Kors Watch Hunger Stop
  Toms
  Bombas Socks
  Yoobi School Supplies
  This Bar Saves Lives
  Esperos Bags
  Warby Parker
  State Bags
  Better World Books