The Best of Breaks!
At last, after many months of hard work and academic perseverance, a long-awaited and well-deserved school break has finally arrived…but now what?
If you find yourself with a little more time on your hands than you expected, here are some fun and rewarding things you can do during the holiday season:
1) Giving & Serving — Just because school isn’t in session doesn’t mean that Red Cross service has to stop! Whether it’s volunteering at a first aid station for events like the Rose Parade, donating blood during critical times of need, helping collect holiday wish list items for veterans, or fundraising for areas that have been affected by natural disasters, there is always some way you can stay involved, whether it be at the club, chapter, regional, national, or international levels.
2) Volunteer Connection — Every now and then, it is always great to set aside time to review your Volunteer Connection account to make sure everything is up to date! The academic year is a busy time making school breaks a prime opportunity for you to catch up on logging hours, checking the status of your Red Cross certifications, taking Red Cross trainings online, and updating your contact information.
3) Reflections / Resolutions — School vacations are a perfect time for reflections and resolutions! Before heading into the next term, it’s a valuable idea to reflect on your Red Cross Club’s strengths and areas for improvement from the past calendar year, using these to supplement New Year’s Resolutions, executive board transitions, member retention and engagement strategies, project planning, and much more.
4) Family & Friends — Last, but not least, don’t forget to spend time with your loved ones! Tell them all about the amazing Red Cross work you have done over the past year, share with them the humanitarian warmth of the Red Cross, and embrace the holiday spirit together…you may even be able to get them to come volunteer with you!
For more information and ideas on how to get more involved with the American Red Cross, check out redcrossyouth.org. The National Youth Council wishes everyone a wonderful holiday season full of love and joy!
– Ivy Kwok, National Youth Council Member, Office Hours Lead
