I hear complaints that the holiday season has been commercialized and transformed into an obligation to give meaningless gifts to strangers and family members that only hear from you once a year.

At Whatcom Volunteer Center, we have the privilige of hearing about the holiday spirit on a daily basis: fundraisers, donations and volunteering that happens within the nonprofit world.

Just the other day an anonymous lady walked into the office and donated a $500 check to the House 2 Home Virtual Furniture Bank (if you’re out there somewhere, we thank you for your generous contribution)!

Groups have been calling me asking for advice on where to volunteer with their school group, their church group or co-workers. It’s amazing to have so many time donated for anything from childcare to environmental sustainability to homelessness.

People sign up daily for our volunteer orientations to meet with us and understand where their skills will fit best for nonprofits in Whatcom County. These are the things I get to see on a daily basis.

Outside our office walls, the spirit is visible everywhere.

Chuck’s Automotive, two blocks down from us,  and Walgreens on Sunset is doing a Toys for Tots drive.

YMCA fitness classes are hosting a food drive.

Boundary Bay Brewery is hosting a benefit for Whatcom Volunteer Center (Dec. 18th at 10:30pm).

Upfront Theater is doing a benefit for Whatcom Middle School.

And the list goes on. Check out our Facebook Page for more tips on how to help in the community OR to tell us about another community benefit we should know about.

If you have five minutes to go to the grocery store or 1 hour to go to the bookstore, there is a place in which you can also give to a cause…what an incredible movement and community.