Giving thanks, giving your time

It’s the season for giving thanks – and for simply giving.

The generosity of Southern Nevadans goes far beyond this long weekend’s gift shopping frenzy, which begins tonight for especially eager bargain hunters. The holidays compel citizens to reflect on their many blessings, to consider the plight of the growing number of people who are less fortunate, and to give their time to make this community a better place to live.

Volunteering is one of the most selfless and noble things a person can do. And there are literally hundreds of difference-making nonprofits in need of help.

But because so many Clark County residents wait until Thanksgiving or Christmastime to try to pitch in at charities, this outpouring of kindness can create a problem: many more volunteers than are needed at one time.

Pat Falvey, vice president for development at Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada, last year recalled how one Thanksgiving, many hundreds of well-meaning Las Vegans showed up outside the nonprofit’s downtown dining facility offering to help however they could. Ms. Falvey said there were almost as many volunteers as people seeking a holiday meal. Even charities can have too many cooks in the kitchen.

Cass Palmer, president and chief executive officer of the United Way of Southern Nevada, says he sees the same surge of bigheartedness every year.

“The holidays definitely drive an increase in volunteerism. In an average month, we’ll see about 300 volunteers. During the holidays, we’ll push 1,000,” he said.

And when that rush of volunteers comes, Thanksgiving Day opportunities at shelters and kitchens are long gone, booked well in advance, Mr. Palmer says. “With too many extra hands, volunteers are walking all over each other.”

Catholic Charities will have at least 150 volunteers on hand today to serve some 2,000 Thanksgiving meals to the needy. Most of those volunteer spots were booked months ago. (Full disclosure: Review-Journal Publisher Bob Brown serves on Catholic Charities’ Board of Trustees.)

The valley is five years into its economic troubles, and throughout that time, providers have seen a steady increase in demand for social services and assistance. Food is among the biggest needs. After all, the homeless, the poor and the jobless need to eat every day, not just around the holidays.

Leslee Rogers, spokeswoman for the Salvation Army, said churches already were signed up to feed the homeless at the charity’s kitchen today, as well as provide indigent Las Vegans with haircuts and coats for the winter.

“We serve the needy 365 days per year,” Ms. Rogers said. “There are always offers of help at Christmastime and Thanksgiving, but the need is there year-round.”

As important as food donations and cash contributions are to local charities – through agreements with area supermarkets, Catholic Charities can purchase more food with your dollar than you can – it takes people to get this food to the needy. Catholic Charities hands out between 150 and 200 large bags of food each day, with each bag holding a 30-day supply. Assembling each bag is extremely labor-intensive and requires several people – every single day.

It’s a good problem that so many Las Vegas Valley residents want to volunteer their time right now. The challenge is getting people to act on their holiday benevolence by promising to volunteer in January, April, September and the months in between.

The United Way of Southern Nevada offers prospective volunteers one of the valley’s best resources. At the Volunteer Center’s website, www.volunteercentersn.org, citizens can register to become a volunteer and search service opportunities by interest, date or one of the more than 400 nonprofit organizations United Way works with.

“Let’s say you’re good at math,” Mr. Palmer says, “and you can mentor a student who needs help, but you’re only available after 6 p.m. Fridays in the northwest valley. Through our website, you can drill right into an opportunity that works for both parties. … We want to be the community’s touch point for volunteering. We have volunteer opportunities galore, all a button away. We just need the bodies to come out, whether you have an extra hour or an extra day.”

Those interested in volunteering with Catholic Charities should call 385-2662 or visit its website at www.catholiccharities.com. To volunteer with the Salvation Army, call 870-4430, ext. 117, or visit www.salvationarmysouthernnevada.org.

Make a commitment to volunteer today. Confirm the need for your help. Recruit your friends and neighbors to join you. Then fulfill your promise – during the holidays and beyond.

A version of this editorial originally appeared last year.