Temperatures are cooling down across eastern Iowa, and soon holiday excitement will be in the air. For Iowans, “spreading holiday cheer” isn’t just a saying. It’s something we show by making donations, fundraising campaigns, and volunteering opportunities. Whatever the reason. Whatever the season. We all love seeing stories of human generosity, which is why we’ve compiled ways you can give back this holiday season!

Volunteering

The Ronald McDonald House Charities of Eastern Iowa & Western Illinois provides a home-away-from-home for families with children in hospital care. These families, who cannot afford to commute to the hospital every day, come to RMHC-EIWI in their greatest time of need and are given a place to stay at no charge. You can help this holiday season by providing a meal at any of the three RMHC-EIWI locations!

Families Helping Families seeks to make a positive impact on the lives of children in foster care across Iowa. Volunteering at their annual Winter Wonderland Holiday Festival or exploring other volunteering opportunities helps make those positive impacts.

Each year, the United Way of East Central Iowa releases their Holiday Volunteer Guide to provide a resource for individuals and groups looking for service and giving opportunities in eastern Iowa during the holiday season. Make sure to check out their list of opportunities to give back and lift of the spirit of others this holiday season. 

Donating

AmazonSmile gives you the ability to shop on Amazon and donate to your charity of choice at the same time — at no additional cost to you. Shop the same products at the same prices and AmazonSmile donates 0.5% of your purchase to charity!

Waypoint Wonderland gives holiday gifts to over 500 Iowa families. You can help this year by donating gifts (for children ages 0-12), gift wrapping supplies, or making a monetary donation.

The Area Substance Abuse Council provides holiday gift baskets to patients in residential treatment. They are currently in need of holiday wrapping supplies to use for the baskets and other crafts in the facility.

Last year, Cedar Rapids Toys for Tots gifted over 15,000 toys! You can help that number increase this year by donating a toy online or at a local toy drop site.

Join Kirkwood Community College, Willis Dady Emergency Shelter, and the Linn County Child Development Center in the Holiday Giving Campaign! Donating items from this list will allow Willis Dady to help victims of homelessness. The following requested items will help Linn County Child Development Center reach their goal of providing high-quality child development opportunities for low-income families.

Fundraising

The sound of The Salvation Army bells chiming means the holidays are right around the corner. By adding a few dollars and cents to their red kettles, you help those in need in your community. You can also donate to The Salvation Army Cedar Rapids Virtual Red Kettle.

Donate your face to help raise money for cancer research and cancer prevention education. Yes, you did read that correctly. You can donate your face… by participating in No-Shave November! Donate any dollars you would have spent on grooming in the month of November, and finally grow the beard of your dreams.

Connecting Our Community

ImOn prides itself on connecting local communities through high-speed fiber internet. But we take even more pride in our hometown. ImOn provides support to local schools, nonprofits, and organizations involved with education, social services, arts, and economic development. If you think ImOn would be a great part of your organization or event, please fill out our sponsorship request form! Together we can show our community the ImOn Difference.