10 Easy Ways to Give Back During the Holidays

Some companies put a lot of emphasis on giving back to the community and helping those less fortunate. Most don't. Over the years, I was fortunate enough to work for a couple that did, so here's a composite of ideas that will help those who need it at a time when they need it most.

It'll also make you, your team, your company, feel great ... and help your Karma at the same time.

1. Scholarship awards. Whatever your company is passionate about - technology, innovation, cooking, whatever - put a program together and award a scholarship for students that best meet the criteria.
2. Toys for Tots drive. Take your group for an afternoon shopping spree (on the company, of course) and donate it to Toys for Tots. My group had a blast one year spending $4,000 at Toys R Us. Never had so much fun spending somebody else's money.
3. Food bank drive. Same as the Toys for Tots thing, except to the supermarket.
4. Sign up your team or department for a community service program. Whether it's volunteering at a homeless shelter or doing something with the elderly or disabled, it'll also bring your team closer together.
5. Build a home for Habitat for Humanity.
6. Give your employees time off to do this stuff. Better still, if you're a corporate executive or business owner, make it part of your company's goals to have every group sign up for a volunteer or community program.
7. Support a local business with your holiday party. Holiday parties have gotten bad press over the past couple of years, but if you're going to do it, at least support a local business. That's a good thing.
8. Organize a Red Cross blood drive.
9. Buy local. From holiday food shopping to Black Friday and Christmas gifts, it's spending time. It only takes a few seconds to look at the label and, even if it costs a few percent more, if you can afford it, buy local and buy American.
10. Check out Small Business Saturday on Facebook.