Looking for a way to give back during your Hawaiian vacation? Scroll down to see some amazing holiday volunteer opportunities in Hawaii for your family.
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One of the most popular travel trends for families right now is to do a volunteer-cation. That’s where families set aside time to give back during their trip.
For families traveling to Hawaii for Thanksgiving or Christmas, it’s the perfect time of year to engage your kids how giving is better than receiving.
The holiday season is a magical time of the year, but for some families in Hawaii, it can be one of the most difficult times of the year.
For those who are down on their luck or are less fortunate than others, volunteers, local organizations, and nonprofits often help make the holidays a more magical season.
Christmas and Thanksgiving are one of the busiest times for organizations, so they are often looking for extra help. Even the smallest activity, amount of time, or donations can help.
If you are looking to help those in need this holiday season, here are a few ways you can volunteer and give back during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.
Volunteering in Hawaii FAQs
There are tons of volunteer opportunities in Hawaii including Habitat for Humanity, Guide Dogs of Hawaii, the Humane Society, Susan G. Komen, Make a Wish, and so many others.
Yes! There are several beach clean up events that happen throughout the year, and you can always donate to local food banks.
There are thousands of Hawaii nonprofits. While not all of them have volunteer opportunities, most will accept monetary donations if you want to support them during the holidays or throughout the year.
Family Volunteer Opportunities in Hawaii
PROJECT HAWAII CHRISTMAS WISH PROGRAM
You can help spread the Christmas cheer to a homeless child or family in need for the holidays by participating in the Christmas Wish Program.
The program is looking for volunteers who are interested in becoming a Secret Santa for homeless children.
When you sign up, you will be sent a keiki wish list which will include a child’s most needed item, clothing size, and what the child has put on their wish list.
As a Secret Santa you also help give the child a stocking and a meal/hygiene box.
You can see more information about all of the volunteer opportunities, the Secret Santa program, and other ways you can help.
LANAKILA PACIFIC MEALS ON WHEELS
For both Thanksgiving and Christmas, the Lanakila Pacific Meals on Wheels delivers special holiday meals to seniors and individuals with disabilities.
Volunteers are needed to help package meals, sort donations and deliver meals and holiday cheer to those in need.
You can sign up to find out more information or volunteer your time.
KO OLINA THANKSGIVING OUTREACH
The Ko Olina Thanksgiving Outreach serves more than 4,000 holiday meals to homeless and low-income families throughout the area of Oahu, Hawaii.
Volunteers are always needed to help prepare and deliver Thanksgiving meals to area churches and veteran organizations during the holidays.
This year’s outreach event takes place on Saturday, November 23, 2019.
The outreach program is through Ko Olina Charities. To find out more information about volunteering or to donate.
HAWAII SALVATION ARMY VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
The Salvation Army has many different ways to help during the holiday season. A few of their biggest Thanksgiving and Christmas events include:
Salvation Army Thanksgiving Dinner
Families can donate to help provide meals for those in need throughout the islands.
The donations go towards providing a Thanksgiving meal for families.
You can find more information on volunteering here.
Angel Tree Campaign
The Angel Tree Campaign helps provide Christmas gifts to keiki and kupuna and provides support for those in need throughout the year.
Angel Trees are placed in various malls an in Central Pacific Bank locations.
On the trees are tags with a special wish for Christmas inside. Those looking to help can pick an angel tag from the tree and purchase the special item that has been wished for.
Supporters can also donate online or create an online fundraiser to help get monetary donations for the program.
Red Kettle Program
The Red Kettle program helps raise funds for those in need of holiday assistance.
Donations help provide meals and household goods.
In addition, the enrichment and intervention program for kids as well as social service programs that help families, children and individuals.
Volunteers are needed throughout the holiday season to be bell ringers at various locations.
To become a volunteer you can sign up here.
HELPING HANDS HAWAII ADOPT A FAMILY PROGRAM
Each year families who need assistance during the holidays are referred to Helping Hands Hawaii by various emergency shelters, social service providers, and other organizations.
Volunteers can help giving the gift of hope to those families and individuals that are facing hardships like homelessness, disability, financial emergencies and more by participating in the Adopt A Family Program.
This program allows donors to make a difference by providing items needed on the wish lists for those families.
To become a volunteer or see other ways you can help families in need, you can visit Helping Hands Hawaii online.
MAKE A WISH HAWAII
Every year there are hundreds of children that are newly diagnosed with a critical illness.
The Make A Wish Foundation helps grant wishes to those children.
During the holiday season, and throughout the year, volunteers are needed to help with the program by working with others to create magical experiences for kids.
In December, they host an annual Jingle Rock Run to help local keiki facing critical illnesses and need support during the holiday season.
Walkers, joggers, runners, and pets are welcome to participate.
For more information about the Jingle Rock Run and the other volunteer opportunities for the holiday, you can visit them online.
HAWAII MEALS ON WHEELS
The Meals on Wheels program throughout Hawaii is always seeking volunteers to help deliver nutritious meals to seniors throughout Oahu.
Ways to volunteer:
- Help deliver meals to clients.
- Help with administrative projects in the office.
- Help with the fundraising gala or other events that take place throughout the year.
To help the Meals on Wheels program you can fill out a volunteer form online.
VOLUNTEER AT LOCAL FOOD BANKS
There are many different local food banks and homeless shelters in Hawaii that are always looking for volunteers to help throughout the year and during the holiday season.
You can help by volunteering your time, participating in events, donating, and more.
The holidays are one of the busiest times for local food banks and homeless shelters, and by providing your time and services you can help feed families who are in need.
Check here to find your local homeless shelter or food bank.
There is nothing more rewarding than volunteering your time to help those in need during the holidays.
Many of the nonprofits and other organizations that are looking for volunteers in Hawaii during the busy holiday season also look for help throughout the year.
If you can’t help during the holidays, giving back throughout the year is always welcome and much appreciated by those in need.
We enjoy volunteering for the Hawaii JiuJitsu Foundation.
Oh that’s good to know!