The Christmas season is a time to celebrate the joy of giving.

Whether buying a gift for a child in need or volunteering one’s time to help out those less fortunate, giving not only benefits the receiver, it can also warm the heart of the one giving.

The United Way of West Central Mississippi has composed a list of opportunities for both, giving and volunteering.

 

Volunteer opportunities:

• The Salvation Army is seeking bell ringers for the Christmas Kettle program, volunteers to help serve meals at the Mission 66 diner and Christmas Angel Tree adoptions. For more information, call 601-415-2994.

• The Storehouse Community Food Pantry, 629 Cherry St., is looking for volunteers to help distribute groceries to individuals in the community who suffer from food insecurity. Hours of operation at the pantry are from 10 a.m. to noon Monday and Wednesday and from 5 to 6 p.m. Thursdays.

• The Good Shepherd Community Center, 629 Cherry St., is looking for people to adopt children for their Christmas drive, organize and or distribute toys collected during the drive on Dec. 18. For more information, call 601-636-7687.

• The Haven House Family Shelter is seeking volunteers to help wrap Christmas presents and adopt families for Christmas. For more information, call 601-638-0555.

• Vicksburg Family Development is looking for volunteers to provide leadership-training opportunities for their youth mentoring programs, which could include team building, decision-making and or conflict resolution. For more information, call 601-638-1336.

• The Warren County Habitat for Humanity is seeking volunteers that would be willing to assist in the renovation or building of an affordable house, in 2019. For more information, call 601-634-6633.

• Someplace Special and the local nursing homes are seeking volunteers to call Bingo or assist in the creation of a simple holiday craft. For more information, call 601-638-0021.

• The Community Council is seeking volunteers to help deliver ‘meals on wheels’ and to join in on the fun Dec. 20 for a special distribution of Christmas meals to home-bound seniors. For more information, call 601-638-7441.

• The Center for Pregnancy Choices, 1401 Adams St., is seeking volunteers to help address and mail yearly thank you cards to their supporters. For more information, call 601-638-2778.

• Lifting Lives Ministries, 40 U.S. 80, is seeking toy donations for children living in the shelter by Dec. 18. For more information, call 601-529-7187.

• Keystone Ministry, 1122 South St. is looking for volunteers to help serve daily meals, beginning at 5:30 p.m. For more information, call 601-631-4557.

• Beyond Walls Ministries and the Warren County Chaplain’s Office is seeking attendance at the 21st Annual Jammin’ for the Kids, which will begin at 6 p.m. Dec. 13 at the Vicksburg Country Club, 127 Country Club Drive. Admission is $5 or a new toy. For more information, call 601-638-0800.

• Grace Christian Counseling Center is seeking volunteers and participants for the 11th Annual Chill in the Hills 10K Run, 5K Walk, and 1 Mile Fun Run, which will be held Jan. 12. For more information, call 601-636-5703.