Holidays are a time for giving, as well as getting. If you’re looking to give a little of your time this month, here are a few local options.

African Community Education Program (ACE)
Call Frank Murphy at (508) 799-3653 or email fmurphy@acechildren.org.

Assist students with their homework, as well as co-facilitating leadership and extracurricular activities. Volunteers are needed during our the busy holiday weeks through Dec. 18, weekdays from 3-6 p.m. Volunteers may sign up for one or more days. Experience tutoring or working with youth required.

AIDS Project Worcester, Inc.
Call Patricia Price at (508) 755-3773 or email tprice@aidsprojectworcester.org.

Help is needed with the annual holiday party on Friday, Dec.12, from 3-9 p.m. Help is needed with serving food, set up, clean up, arts and crafts table for the children and helping Santa give out gifts.

Alternatives Unlimited
Call Sandra Marquis at (508) 266-6517 or email sandra.marquis@alternativesnet.org.

Help at the holiday party on Dec. 9 from 11a.m.–3 p.m. at raffle table and with planned activities for guests.

Boys & Girls Club of Worcester
Call Liz Hamilton at (508) 754-2686 or email  lhamilton@bgcworcester.org.

Volunteers can schedule appointments to gift wrap donated toys and presents that will be distributed to our club members, ages 5-18, during the holidays. Gift wrapping can be scheduled throughout the month of December. The annual gift wrapping party will be held on Saturday, Dec. 13, from 9a.m.–noon.

Catholic Charities Bishop’s Dinner
Call Bob Cronin at (508) 860-2228.

Help deliver Christmas meals to homebound individuals Dec. 25. Volunteers arrive at 9:30 a.m.

Dare Family Services
Call Armida Martinez at (508) 755-7100 or email amartinez@darefamily.org.

Contact local companies to secure gifts for foster children during the holiday season. Call for more information.

Dismas House
Call David McMahon (508) 799-9389 or email cmdismashouse@aol.com .

Help prepare meals during the holidays. Volunteers may bring or cook dinner and share the meal with residents.

Friendly House, Inc.
Call Susan Daly or Danielle Delgado at (508) 755-4362 or email sdaly@friendlyhousema.org.

Help at the annual Christmas party on Dec. 21 from 11a.m.-6 p.m. Volunteers will assist in the set up and clean up, as well as distributing snacks and toys to more than 1,000 children. Call to schedule times.

Girls Incorporated of Worcester
Call Anne McCarthy at (508) 755-6455 ext. 41 or email amccarthy@girlsincworcester.org.

Help with the holiday party on Dec. 19 from 3-5 p.m. with set up, leading craft/activity/refreshment tables and clean up.

Greater Worcester Housing Connection – SMOC
Call Jayde Campbell at (508) 757-0103 ext. 6329 or email jcampbell@smoc.org.

Prepare and serve holiday meals Dec. 25 at the individual adult homeless shelter. Call to schedule time.

Guild of St. Agnes
Call Sharon Woodbury at (508) 755-2238 or email swood016@aol.com.

Read to preschool children or create a winter-themed activity for school-age children. Assist with wrapping gifts in December. Call for details.

Holy Trinity Nursing and Rehabilitation Center
Call Susan Murphy at (508) 852-1000 or email smurphy@htnr.net.

Decorate Christmas trees throughout the building for residents. Call to schedule a date during the weekday.

Jeremiah’s Inn
Call Denise Hurley at (508) 755-6403 or email denise@jeremiahsinn.com

Cook a weekday evening meal served at 5 p.m. for 27 residents anytime during the holidays. Use the fully-equipped kitchen facility to share your specialty with others. Groups welcome.

MOC Child Care and Head Start (Hosmer Site)
Contact Cris Siler (978) 345-8549, ext. 308, or email csiler@mocinc.org

Play games or read to preschoolers. Handy person needed to cut and sand PVC material for use by children in the classrooms.

Project New Hope
Call Bill Moore at (774) 243-7859 or email bmoore@projectnewhopema.org

Sort toy donations in early December, call for dates. Distribute gifts to families at holiday party on Dec.13 between 1-3 p.m.

The Bridge of Central Massachusetts
Call Wanja Kiraguri at (508) 755-0333 or email wanjak@thebridgecm.org

Sort and wrap holiday gifts from December 15-19 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Call to schedule time.

The Community Builders at Plumley Village
Contact Anne Vinick at (508) 770-0508 or email avinick@tcbinc.org.

Serve food, help decorate or lead easy craft activities at the annual holiday party on Dec. 18 from 6-8 p.m. at the Wesley United Methodist Church in Worcester. Volunteer photographer needed to take pictures of children with Santa and then print them. Materials will be provided.

Webster Square Day Care Center
Call Di-Ann Ethier at (508) 756-3567 or email dewsdcc@aol.com

Host a holiday party for 60 children and provide a Santa, snack and small gift for each child. Call to schedule a convenient date.

Worcester Housing Authority
Call Lynn O’Toole at (508) 635-3306 or email otoole@worcester-housing.com.

Help prepare and serve a holiday meal to elderly/disabled residents afternoons or evenings. Call to arrange a date and location.

Worcester Recovery Center and Hospital
Call Sandy Epstein at (508) 368-3524 or email sandy.epstein@dmh.state.ma.us.

Organize a small group for storytelling, singing Christmas carols, performing a holiday concert or sponsoring a holiday party. Wrap gifts or bake for a holiday bake sale. Call for dates.

Worcester Senior Center
Call Patty Hainsworth at (508) 799-1231 or email hainsworthp@worcesterma.gov.

Help decorate for the holidays by setting up and trimming two holiday trees and decorating the lobby and lunchroom areas on Dec. 2 from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Help serve refreshments and coordinate children’s activities at Polar Express event Dec. 17 from 10-11:30 a.m.

YWCA Early Education and Care
Call Darlene Belliveau at (508) 767-2505 ext. 3031 or email dbelliveau@ywcaworcester.org.

Read to young children or visit classroom and share information about your career or hobby. Flexible dates and times are available. Call for more information.

YWCA Young Parent Program
Call Aly Whalen at (508) 791-3181 ext. 3028 or email awhalen@ywcacentralmass.org.

Host a holiday party for teen mothers ages 16- 21 and their young children ages 1- 4, coordinate holiday activities, and play Santa handing out small gifts. This is a great activity for a group. Call to schedule a convenient date and time.

 By Kim Dunbar