Where to Volunteer in Fort Worth
The holidays will be here before we know it. As we get in the mindset of gift-giving, many of us look for ways to give back to the community. Volunteering for a local charity can be a fun and rewarding way for your family to celebrate the season—and teach your kids that they have the power to make a difference in others’ lives.
Giving back is important to us at Kirby Plastic Surgery, and we support a number of community organizations in Fort Worth and beyond. There are countless ways to help—and whether you want to donate money or volunteer your time, it’s never too soon to begin pitching in. To inspire you, we’ve shared a few of our favorite places to volunteer around Fort Worth.
Race for a reason with Run Project
With the return of tempting seasonal comfort foods and high-calorie treats such as Halloween candy, holiday cookies, and special-edition lattes, fall and winter can be challenging for the waistline. Why not give back and get in shape with Run Project Races, a series of running events in Fort Worth (and Dallas) partnering with local charities to help them raise money.
Now is the perfect time to start training for the Pumpkin Spice Run on November 18th—this year’s beneficiary is Leukemia Texas. Walk or run in the 5K or 10K event, or challenge yourself to go for the 15K distance. If you don’t mind getting a little messy, you can choose to “get spiced” by dousing yourself in orange powder at one of the aid stations.
Knock breast cancer down: Susan G. Komen Greater Fort Worth
Whether a mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, or friend, most of us know someone who has been affected by breast cancer. Susan G. Komen Greater Fort Worth helps breast cancer fighters and survivors in the Fort Worth area beat the disease with a variety of education, support and advocacy services. There are many ways to get involved all year long.
Spread some cheer at Cook Children’s Medical Center
Cook Children’s Medical Center is a not-for-profit organization that provides exceptional healthcare for children in Fort Worth and throughout Texas. They welcome volunteers and have opportunities for both teens and adults to visit with patients, read stories, or play in the hospital playroom.
Now is a great time to start helping out at Cook Children’s—they have several events lined up in November for Epilepsy Awareness Month, including weekly seminars on Thursday evenings for parents of children affected by epilepsy, and a family-friendly painting demonstration with John Brambitt, a visually impaired artist with epilepsy. I am sure they would love the extra help during this busy month—stay tuned to their Facebook page for dates and times of these events..
If you cannot volunteer your time, consider buying a T-shirt to support Cook Children’s epilepsy programs—every little bit helps.
Fill a family’s fridge with Tarrant Area Food Bank
The Tarrant Area Food Bank (TAFB) is making a real difference to battle food insecurity in our region and ensure our neighbors have enough to eat, through community food drives, coordinated efforts with the foodservice industry, and nutrition education.
In addition to serving our immediate community, TAFB is also actively participating in continued relief efforts for Hurricane Harvey, collecting and distributing food and setting up community kitchens for families who were forced to evacuate or lost their homes. How you can help: volunteer at the distribution center, food drives or community garden, or donate food or money.
Make someone feel at home: Union Gospel Mission of Tarrant County
During the holidays, it’s important to consider those who are not surrounded by family and friends, and may not even have a place to call home. Union Gospel Mission of Tarrant County is dedicated to providing love, hope, and respect for vulnerable populations. You can help by volunteering at the kitchen, chapel, or warehouse, or donating to their honorable cause for the homeless.
Help kids and families overcome loss: The WARM Place
Losing a loved one is a heartbreaking experience for anyone, and grief can be particularly confusing for kids. The WARM Place is a non-profit dedicated to helping youth and adolescents cope with grief and emerge as stronger individuals. Since 1989, they have counseled over 35,000 girls and boys. All you need to serve as a volunteer is time and a listening ear—WARM will provide any necessary training. Or, donate money or goods to support a family during a difficult time in their lives.
Bring joy to a child’s life: A Wish with Wings
When a child is diagnosed with a life-threatening condition, parents often lack the time, resources, or energy for anything but the basics. A Wish with Wings gives local children dealing with serious illness the opportunity to experience life to the fullest. Why not help these children enjoy being kids? Contribute to a child’s dream vacation, or volunteer for events and parties.
Help put families together: Adoptions by Gladney
The Gladney Center for Adoption has connected Fort Worth children with loving families for over 125 years. In addition to full adoption services, Gladney offers education and assistance for birth parents who are not ready to start a family. As you may know, adoption can require a significant financial commitment, so consider a monetary donation to support parents who wish to adopt in the upcoming year.
Join Kirby Plastic Surgery in giving back
We’re grateful for the work these and other community organizations in Fort Worth do each and every day. If we all continue to find ways to give back to our most vulnerable populations, we can change the world one kind act at a time.
Through 10/31/17, we’re donating 10% of proceeds from our popular new non-surgical treatment, CoolSculpting®, to United Way of Greater Houston to provide relief support to victims of Hurricane Harvey call or TEXT (817) 292-4200 or contact us for more information.
What are your ideas for giving back during the holidays? Let us know in the comment section.
