Do something good this summer. PSI World is a nonprofit organization committed to leaving this universe better than we found it. They contribute to Youth at Risk programs by educating individuals and groups on the importance of giving back to their communities. In addition, they lend their time and services to help ailing and disadvantaged people, and are a prominent organization in the cancer fight, helping the American Cancer Society continue their research efforts. You can get involved by signing up for PSI Seminars online. It’s a wonderful way to volunteer and make a difference.

Today we are helping load the Holiday Train that delivers thousands of toys to underprivileged kids around the Bay Area. I always pick something to do to volunteer during the holiday season. I know that I should do more all around the year, but anything is better than nothing, I suppose. If you are looking for stuff to do in your own city to help out right now, you can visit this site to find opportunities of all kinds. Happy Helping.

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.)

Ever feel like your life is one huge volunteering effort? You give your time and your energy to this person and that, and at the end of the day, what do you get? A check payable to SAHM? I don’t think so.

But let’s face it - we’re lucky. And it might seem overly sentimental in a weird, even grotesque way, but when I stand at my son’s changing table replacing his soiled diaper with a fresh, clean one, I sometimes can’t help think about how this diaper is GOLD! And everything I take for granted every day - like his bottles and toys, crib and blankets, and yes, diapers and wipes and cream - are luxuries not every mom beholds.

It’s difficult to think of ourselves as fortunate when we are tired, when our backs have given up, when we have reached our wit’s end and still have dinner to make, laundry to wash and dishes to do. Sometimes in order to gain a little perspective, we need to step out of our lives and into the lives of others. Volunteering is the best way to make this happen.

Now that I am a mother, my perspective has completely changed and when I see a baby in need, I understand and respect more than ever what Angelina Jolie has done. To see a baby hurting or suffering is unbearable. I want to grab all those needy babies and take care of them myself! Obviously this isn’t possible and that’s where volunteering comes in.

If you’re interested in helping children other than your own (it’s a win/win situation!), here are some motivating resources:

VolunteerMatch - No matter where you live, this site will get you started on your way to making a difference. Just plug in your ZIP code and thousands of volunteering opportunities will instantly appear at your fingertips. There are 28 categories - from animals and environment to LGBT and Seniors - so if you’re interested in doing something that doesn’t relate to kids, there are plenty more options to choose from.

Oh! And the best part…you don’t even have to leave the house to help! Included in the options is a “virtual” category (click Search, then choose Virtual at the far right side of the screen) which enables you to volunteer online! This is perfect if you aren’t able to get away from the house (or your kids), and also provides opportunities for your children to get involved, as well.

Newborns in Need - Do you knit or crochet? Newborns in Need is a charity that aids premature and newborn babies by sending their families handmade clothing (store-bought items are also needed). If you’re a crafty mama like me, this is a perfect resource for you!

Contrary to popular belief, it doesn’t take much time to volunteer; it’s not going to eat into your schedule if you don’t let it, and it will reward you in ways you never thought possible. Look at it this way - it’ll give you lots to blog about.