Volunteer Around North Andover for the Holidays

Volunteering in North Andover is a great way to give back to others and spread holiday cheer and warmth in your community.

Donating your time or giving a special holiday gift to a family or child in need can make a big impact.

There are lots of ways to help make the holidays truly special for those who are less fortunate. You can pack a shoebox for Operation Christmas Child, adopt a family through The Salvation Army or donate to Toys for Tots.

Here are a few places that are in need of holiday volunteers in and around North Andover.

Meals For Bread and Roses: North Parish Church gathers volunteers one Saturday each month at Bread and Roses -- a soup kitchen located at 58 Newbury St. in Lawrence which serves dinner family-style five nights a week at no charge. If you would like to help greet and serve guests, call the Bread and Roses office at 978-681-8768.

People's Pantry: People's Pantry is a program run by North Parish Church that collects food donations for people in need. Food is distributed in the Parish Hall, downstairs in the main church Meeting House, 190 Academy Road.

Jericho Road Lawrence: Established by North Parish Church, Jericho Road Lawrence seeks to help improve the quality of life in Lawrence by providing pro-bono professional help to Lawrence nonprofits. For more information, call Joan Kulash at 978-604-8803.

MSPCA: The MSPCA at Nevins Farm in Methuen is always looking for volunteers. You could help take care of animals in the shelter or in the barn.

Animal Rescue Merrimack Valley: There are many ways to volunteer for Animal Rescue Merrimack Valley. You could foster a pet, coordinate pet food donations, help with Adoption Days, and much more.

Toy Drives: There have been a few toy donation efforts in town. Check them out here. Please Note: The Trombly Bros. toy drive for Hurricane Sandy victims has already ended.

Project Bethlehem: In coordination with Lazarus House, you can sponsor a family in need that has been referred to North Parish through the Lawrence school system or area social service agency. You will be provided with a wish list and we ask that all members of the family receive two new articles of clothing, a toy for each child, and a household item for the family. For more information, visit www.lazarushouse.org and click on "Events" and then "Holiday Outreach." There you can complete the donor form. Someone will get back to you and your family as soon as is possible. If you have any questions please call the Project Bethlehem Donor line at 978-269-5286 or 978-689-8575, ext. 104.

Warmth For Iraqi Refugee Families: 22 New Iraqi refugee families who have never experienced a New England winter resettled into Lowell and need warm coats, warm blankets, hats, gloves and scarfs. There are more than 80 family members with adults and children of all ages so all sizes will be accepted (jackets for children, coats -especially mid length or full length coats are preferred for women). The Social Action Committee and Jackie Orent-Nathan  are collecting  gently worn outerwear and blankets (especially twin sized). Pat Scanlon and Merrimac Valley Veterans for Peace are collecting gloves, hats or scarfs in good condition for these families. Donations can be left downstairs by the coat rack in the North Parish Parish Hall. Also, financial donations can be sent to: Veterans For Peace, P.O. Box 1604, Andover, MA 01810.

Do you know of other volunteer opportunities in and around North Andover this holiday season? Leave a comment and let us know!