Make Plans to Give Back this Holiday Season

The holiday season is fast approaching, and for many people, this time is all about giving to others. Donating time and materials to a local charity or hosting a fundraiser in your store shows your customers you support the community and are willing to share your resources. It’s actually something you should be doing year-round, but if you’re not, now is a good time to start. Here are some ways you can get into the habit of helping.

• Develop partnerships with other local organizations. The best way to get started is to find someone who already has a cause they’re supporting. Then ask, “What do you need?” Many times, you can host an event with that organization, which means you’ll be sharing resources, including publicity.
• Reach out to the local schools. Students working on a project for school often need a visit to their local home-improvement retailer to get materials. That’s a prime opportunity to donate a little time to help them with a project.
• Be ready to respond to winter emergencies. Winter storms can boost sales, but they can also be an opportunity to show your giving spirit. An act of charity could be collecting donations for those who have been severely burdened by a disaster.
• Join a community organization. As a retailer, you have business and leadership skills. Consider joining the local chamber of commerce or another community organization and sharing those skills.