The Holiday Project 

With the Holiday Project, you can spend Dec. 21, from 2-4 p.m., with patients living in hospitals, nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Volunteering would include: singing Christmas carols, distributing cards and gifts, and bringing holiday spirit to those who otherwise would not have a big celebration. Volunteering is family-friendly, and registration is open until Dec. 20. If interested, you can contact Hope Cousin at [email protected]. 

The Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing (APAH) 

There are two big volunteer opportunities: grocery distributions and APAH’s Dec. 17 Holiday Magic event, which provides donated gifts and gift cards to more than 500 children who call an APAH property home. The event allows parents who live at APAH properties to pick out presents while their kids can enjoy a visit with Mr. and Mrs. Claus. Volunteers are needed for roles such as with the gift room, operating  the treat table and serving as Santa’s helpers! They also host grocery distributions with their partner, Arlington Food Assistance Center. Interested volunteers can sign up to participate on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. 

Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC) 

AFAC helps  provide  the Arlington Community with groceries free of charge.  You can help by donating food and organizing holiday food drives to spread cheer during the holiday season. They also have programs to work in community gardens to grow food for the distribution center. t Their website contains information on their most-wanted items, and drop-off hours for those items. You can volunteer throughout the year, but extra help is always wanted during the holiday season; you can reach out at [email protected].

PathForward 

During the winter, PathForward has a hypothermia shelter open, and with upcoming cold weather, coats, hats, gloves and blanket drives are always welcome. The center also has opportunities to serve meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as the chance to organize clothing drives for people in need. This shelter is the most in need of meal support, this holiday season; hot meal donations are always appreciated. If you are interested, you can reach out at [email protected]. 

Wreaths Across America 

There are 11 different Wreaths Across America locations in Northern Virginia and DC..  With volunteers’ help, this organization focuses on putting wreaths on veterans’ graves. It takes place on Dec. 14, and you can volunteer or sponsor wreaths. The organization works to remember and honor veterans.