Why do we sing “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” and what does it all mean? Chances are you are as clueless as I was before I read this. Who knew the 12 days begin the day after Christmas and that each silly verse actually corresponds to different aspects of the Bible? The words we sing really don’t mean anything, but the numbers do (e.g. The Twelve Drummers Drumming are actually representative of the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostles’ Creed; Eleven Pipers Piping are Jesus’ eleven faithful disciples; Ten Lords A-leaping are the Ten Commandments, and so on).
Now, if I’ve lost you at “Bible,” trust me - I’m not super religious, either! But, from a historical perspective, it is pretty fascinating to learn the meanings of things we take for granted or recite out of habit. If anything, it makes me feel less ignorant, which is always a plus in my book!
To get to the real point of this post: I’ve constructed my own Twelve Days of Christmas as pertaining to ways in which we can help during this holiday season through volunteering efforts. Of course, they are created specifically for those who live in the Bay Area, but you can find your own excellent opportunities at Idealist.
*Twelve Drummers Drumming*
If you play an instrument or can carry a tune, The Chaparral House in Berkeley needs you to help entertain its elderly residents.
*Eleven Pipers Piping*
Are you handy? Do you have basic carpentry and/or plumbing skills (hence the “pipe”…get it?) If so, The Women’s Daytime Drop-In Center of Berkeley could use you to help fix basic repairs.
*Ten Lords A-leaping*
If homelessness and human rights interest you, the Eviction Defense Collaborative of San Francisco needs volunteer intake counselors and legal interns to help empower low-income tenants who are being sued by their landlords.
*Nine Ladies Dancing*
The Salvation Army in San Francisco is looking for a line dancing or ballroom dancing instructor to teach seniors how to shake their groove thang.
*Eight Maids A-milking*
Thimmakka’s Resources for Environmental Education, located in Oakland, needs people to volunteer to work with farmers in presenting local produce, price lists and seasonal availability to restaurants.
*Seven Swans A-swimming*
The Berkeley YMCA needs help teaching children who have physical and/or developmental challenges to…you guessed it!…SWIM!
*Six Geese A-laying*
A favorite of mine, Newborns in Need is an organization that helps care for newborn babies and their families. Sick and needy children are provided with handmade sleepers, receiving blankets, booties, quilts and more. If you sew, knit or crochet, this is the perfect volunteer opportunity for you.
*Five Golden Rings*
Oasis For Girls (a project of The Tides Center) in San Francisco needs assistance teaching girls how to make jewelry at their seasonal workshops.
*Four Calling Birds*
Suicide Prevention & Community Counseling in Marin County is looking for volunteers to work the hotlines and make a difference in a caller’s life. The holidays can be very rough on some and there are desperate people out there who would be grateful to hear the kind and compassionate voices of people like you.
*Three French Hens*
McDonald Ranch - a nonprofit sanctuary in Santa Rosa that helps homeless animals - needs volunteers to feed and care for chickens, amongst other country animals.
*Two Turtle Doves*
Help Increase the Peace Program (HIPP) of San Francisco needs volunteers to help facilitate workshops that educate young people about stereotypes and how to break through the violence of the world through peaceful communication skills.
*And a Partridge in a Pear Tree*
The Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy of S.F. is looking for helpers to restore and rebuild California Quail habitat. (I did this one a few weeks ago and had a blast.)
