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Just someone that is looking to help someone this season

Visit someone in memory care or a nursing home. So many people there have no one who visits them. Take a few simple gifts, like stuffed animals. They'll smile at you, maybe talk a little bit, and you'll feel like you're doing something worthwhile. Just call the office and ask if you can visit at such-and-such a time. They won't turn you down.

One of my best Thanksgivings ever was helping serve dinner at a homeless shelter. This included organizing the food pantry, wiping down the children's area and toys with disinfectant, and meeting a couple of other nice volunteers. Afterward, we all sat down together for our own Thanksgiving from what was left.
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Reply to Fawnby
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Good ideas already. Truth be told, the holidays aren’t “the most wonderful time of the year” for many. I just copied someone’s post from Next Door asking for gifts for residents of a local nursing home and rehab center. I’m planning to buy for them and deliver in pretty gift bags as requested. I’m missing my parent’s and hope this will be a way of thinking of them while also thinking of someone else. Sometimes we all need to get out of our own sadness. I wish you peace
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Reply to Daughterof1930
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You need to join groups and clubs and be the person that invites others out or to your home, the one who organizes activities and social outings. If you wait for others to come to you, you'll be waiting a long time.

Join Nextdoor.com which is an intranet of your actual non-anonymous neighbors in your actual community. Post an inquiry about fun groups to join or what charities could use your help, etc. Think about hobbies you enjoy and then find groups that support it. Unless you are in a very rural area and have no transportation, I think you'll be able to plug in. Many churches have groups for adult singles, too, and they're usually have plans for things to do as a group.
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Reply to Geaton777
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Call around in your own area, to faith based and other charities, and do consider volunteering at food kitchens and other things. There is much need. Call any pastor to find out where there is need. Call your local council on aging as well. Glad you are doing this. Helping others always helps us feel better.
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Reply to AlvaDeer
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We are a private forum. We do not give out our personal information.

Its kind of late in the season but you could try Churches in your area to see if they have reach out committees. Local Senior Center.

Sometimes helping others helps ourselves. I know there are churches who adopt families. I knew a lady who would adopt a family and got joy out of buying them gifts. Volunteer in a soup kitchen.

You need to work on this way before Christmas. YOU need to get involved. Librairies have activities. I loved bus trips. Seemed the same people went all the time. So, u make some friends. Church is a good place to find friends. Our Church had where you picked a shutins name and visited them. Mine had done my job 50 years before. So we had good conversations. You make sure their birthdays and holidays a card is sent. A little gift at Christmas. A friend of mine and daughter became friends with an elderly woman. Neither have extended families. They do everything as a family.
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Reply to JoAnn29
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