Marked by the culmination of Thanksgiving, the holiday season has begun, and malls are starting to flood with frantic shoppers looking for the “perfect” gift for their special someone. Many people have already constructed their wish lists and everyone is taking advantage of the ample opportunities to buy gifts through Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and all the like. While all the festivities of shopping for others may sound appealing, it is important to recognize another more accessible tradition: helping others through community service.

Despite the sales and major savings that characterize the month of December, the true meaning of this holiday season rests on the simple act of giving, whether that be in the form of a present or giving your time and compassion to those in need. The latter truly epitomizes the holiday spirit, as it focuses on tuning out the common material concerns of this season while emphasizing a spirit of generosity towards those who may need it most.

Marymount hosts a wide variety of service opportunities during the holiday season each year. Sophomore and member of the Service Board, Gabriela Holian ‘20, encourages every student to try one service event, as it truly brings the students a sense of joy. Gabriela notes:

“First, the service committee, ABC Blankets, will be sewing many handmade blankets for kids with cancer, physical disabilities, or other illnesses in the next couple weeks! Many other service clubs will also have fun service events in the upcoming months! Finally, on campus, we will encourage students to make cards to donate to the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.”

Aside from Marymount’s programs, a variety of service opportunities exist outside our campus. One of the many perks of living in Los Angeles includes its numerous volunteering and charity events during the holiday season. Gabriela comments on some of her favorite service opportunities outside of Marymount:

“Off campus, there are many non-profit organizations that I personally really like around the LA area. First, the ‘One Voice Holiday Food Program’ aims to provide 2500 families with holiday food baskets, books, and toys. Another organization, ‘Food on Foot,’ dedicates itself to assisting the poor and homeless of Los Angeles by providing nutritious meals, clothing, and work opportunities.”

Clearly, both Marymount’s and Los Angeles’s extensive array of volunteering and charitable opportunities allows for virtually every student at Marymount to partake in an activity or event to lend a hand to those less fortunate than ourselves. In order to thoroughly experience the “true” holiday spirit, one may find great pleasure in lending their time, effort, and care to the practices of helping and encouraging others in their times of need.