As the holidays approach, many of us struggle to find the perfect gift. Instead of purchasing another item that may be forgotten, have you considered giving the gift of time? Volunteering on behalf of a loved one at an organization they care about is a meaningful tribute. It lets them know you honor their values and want to embody the same spirit of generosity you admire so much. What could be more meaningful than that?

The Volunteer Center of Brown County makes it easy to find volunteer opportunities in the area by matching people with opportunities that fit their interests and schedules. You could spend a few hours helping out at a food pantry, mentoring a young person, or assisting seniors. Each act of service becomes a gift that ripples beyond the moment.

New Year, New You!

After the holidays, we start to think about the kind of life we want to live during the year ahead. Along with the traditional personal finance and self-improvement goals, many of us think about ways we can give back to the community. And it’s good that we do this! Studies show that volunteering 100 hours a year or more significantly reduces the risk of chronic illnesses in older adults and that volunteers have a 76% lower risk of feeling isolated.

If this is something you’ve been thinking about, but you’re not sure where to start, the Volunteer Center of Brown County is always happy to help connect you with organizations that need help right now. You might be asked to serve meals, help out at an animal shelter, or who knows, work a regular shift in the Greater Green Bay Habitat for Humanity ReStore!

Setting a goal to volunteer more in the new year means that you are thinking beyond yourself and looking for ways to enrich the lives of those in your community. And unlike many resolutions that fade by February, volunteering might just become a lifelong habit!

Other Ways to Give Back

Volunteering your time isn’t the only way to contribute. This time of year is also a popular time for people to declutter their homes or storage units. Donating your gently used items to local nonprofits keeps resources circulating in the community. For example, Greater Green Bay Habitat for Humanity ReStore accepts furniture, working appliances, and building materials, then sells them at 50%-75% off retail prices to support Habitat for Humanity’s Homeownership Program. Other organizations in the community are happy to accept donations of gently used clothing, food, and household goods.

Financial contributions are another great option. Cash donations help nonprofits cover operating costs and expand their services, and these charitable gifts may even provide tax benefits! This is a great way to extend your impact beyond what you can give in person, ensuring organizations have the resources to serve more people throughout the year.

The idea is simple but powerful. Instead of focusing on what we can buy, Giving Tuesday asks us to think about what we can give. It’s a time when ordinary acts add up to extraordinary change. People volunteer at shelters, organize food drives, stock community fridges, support mutual aid funds, and share messages of hope and solidarity. 

​If you want to take part, there are countless ways to do so! Here are just a few ideas: 

• Use your voice to support a cause that matters to you. 

• Show kindness to your neighbors in simple, everyday ways. 

• Volunteer virtually or share your talents with an organization that needs them. 

• Join a local fundraiser, community drive, or coordinated event. 

• Donate to your favorite nonprofit during Giving Tuesday. 

​Even though Giving Tuesday is just one day (typically... more on that in a moment), it is an impactful way to build a culture around compassion and connection that has the power to last much, much longer. ​

Our 2025 Giving Tuesday Campaign 

This year, Greater Green Bay Habitat for Humanity is proud to be part of the CoVantage Cares Foundation’s Giving Tuesday campaign. From December 2–16, this campaign aims to double the impact of donations made to 12 participating nonprofit organizations, including Greater Green Bay Habitat for Humanity.  
​
Here’s how it works: When you give to us through the CoVantage campaign page, your donation is matched dollar-for-dollar. That means your $50 gift becomes $100, your $100 gift becomes $200, and so on, up to $10,000 per organization. After that milestone is reached, we will unlock a share of the $200,000 total match fund, which will be distributed among the participating nonprofits based on the percentage each raises. 

Our goal is to raise $50,000 during the two-week Giving Tuesday campaign. All of the money we raise will go directly toward building homes in Brown County. 

To make sure your gift is matched, donations must be made through the CoVantage Credit Union Giving Tuesday portal, which we will share with you once the campaign is live. You can follow along with our progress on the page and on our social media channels, such as Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn! 

Will You Help Us Reach Our Goal? 

We would love to have the community’s support as we work to reach our $50,000 goal during Giving Tuesday! Here are three easy ways you can help us: 

• Donate between December 2–16 through the CoVantage campaign and  

• Spread the word by sharing the campaign with friends, family, and coworkers. 

• Stay connected by following our updates and celebrating the progress together. 

Even though we’re setting a big goal and we are thrilled about the momentum of Giving Tuesday, it’s important to remember that our mission doesn’t begin or end with this campaign. Habitat’s work continues all year long. 

When you support Greater Green Bay Habitat for Humanity during Giving Tuesday, you’re helping future homeowners achieve stability. This strengthens our community and shows that generosity has the power to build lasting change. Together, we’re building hope, opportunity, and a stronger Greater Green Bay.