The holidays are often described as joyful, but for many, they can be complicated. Some students feel the weight of loneliness more deeply. Families face financial strain that stretches their hope thin. And for those of us who are quietly struggling, the season can magnify what is missing.
This is why giving back during the holidays matters. When we choose to show up with our time, our prayers, and our generosity, we help silence the heaviness and replace it with connection and support.
Why Give Back?
Purpose
When you think of the holidays, the first things that often come to mind are presents, Santa, full calendars, and other festive to-dos. What helps you refocus beyond the busyness and consumerism of the season? Giving back during the holidays is a great way to combat this “more, more, more” mentality that can occur. It’s a reminder that impact isn’t reserved for grand gestures. You can make a real difference through small, intentional acts.
One of the most meaningful ways to give back is by offering what you already have: yourself. Did you know we all get 168 hours each week? When a Kids Hope USA mentor chooses to show up for just one of those hours, one hour spent with a young student at their school, it transforms a small pocket of time into something deeply purposeful. That single hour can bring encouragement and hope to a child – and joy and meaning to you.
Connection
The Christmas season can create feelings of isolation. Contributing to a nonprofit counters that isolation with community, a shared mission, and togetherness. It turns feelings of “I’m alone in this” into “I’m part of something bigger.”
Whether you make a financial gift or mentor a young student, you become a part of a shared mission for all kids to have a consistent, trusted adult in their life. This is important work!
Hope
When the holidays magnify financial stress, grief, or uncertainty, helping someone else lifts weight. Giving back shifts the focus away from what’s lacking toward a renewed sense of hope for tomorrow.
Gratitude
Generosity fuels joy. When we get involved in a shared mission, we see all of the hearts that are a part of it, and it’s easy to see the beauty in so many people working towards a shared goal.
When a student lights up when we walk in their classroom, it creates a deep feeling of thankfulness for the relationship. When we pray for all of the children in the organization, we become filled with gratitude for all of the people who make time in their busy schedules to show up week after week. By donating to one-on-one mentoring relationships, we contribute to an impactful ministry that reaches beyond ourselves. Giving back anchors us in gratitude.
Meet Real Needs
End-of-year giving can be extremely important to an organization. Giving back strengthens the safety nets supporting students, families, and communities. In addition to financial support, praying for Kids Hope USA is a great way to trust that the Lord will provide abundantly to help us pair every student in need with a mentor.
Get Involved Today
If your church or business does not have a Kids Hope USA program, discuss this with your staff or contact us to make a connection! This is a great way to meet the real needs in your community.
We partner the local church and/or business with their neighborhood elementary school to create one-on-one mentoring relationships between a consistent adult and a young student.
Another tangible way to give back this holiday season is through financial contribution. Donating to Kids Hope USA can be done on a recurring basis or as a one-time gift. Your donations help us reach more students nationwide!