If you're looking for ways to give back to the community this holiday season, The Helping Hands Society of Cochrane and Area has some ideas for you.

Tomorrow is Giving Tuesday. For the past nine years, Canadians have jumped on board the global initiative to promote generosity, kindness and encourage residents to give back to their local communities.

Helping Hands Executive Director Chairra Nicolle says it's the perfect opportunity to give back to the community that we call home.

The volunteer linking organization relies completely on donations and grants to stay afloat and assist with so many community needs. Nicolle says that starting today, ATB has generously offered them a special as a Giving Tuesday bonus.

"Anybody that makes a donation ATB will match it," explains Nicolle. "But for Giving Tuesday ATB has upped their donation amount from $30, 000 up to $100,000 for matching."

Nicolle explains that ATB Cares makes it easy for communities to support the causes they care about. She says that from now until the end of December donations made through the ATB Cares portal will stretch even further.

"Any donation that an individual or an organization makes during that time will be matched by ATB, so that is an excellent way to make your dollar go even further with donations to your favourite charity" explains Nicolle. "Whether it's Helping Hands or any of the other charities in the community -- this is a great way to give back."

Nicolle says that Giving Tuesday is also a great time to give the gift of time. She explains that Helping Hands is looking for volunteers to join their team, and they're specifically in need of volunteer drivers.

"This year we have had over 650 rides to medical appointments for seniors and low-income individuals in the community," explains Nicolle. "That works out to about 50 to 60 rides a month and we really need more drivers to provide those rides."

Helping Hands helps to fill the needs of low-income area residents, single-parent families, seniors and chronically ill or injured community members.

There are plenty of ways to volunteer with the registered charity, including: 

  • Helping with Food Drives

  • Becoming a volunteer driver 

  • Helping with the Meal Teams Program

  • Snow Helper / Summer Do Crew member 

  • Helping with the Free Food Shed

  • Becoming a member of the Caring Neighbours Program

  • Helping with the Movers With Heart Program