Cauldron

Issue date: 12/4/07 Section: Features

Media Credit: Amber Chemam Student volunteers, taking part in UST 's President's Day of Service, sort donations at a local charitable organization. Potential volunteers can stop by the OVO office for information on how to help.

It can be easy to get caught up in the excitement of the holidays, but when all is said and done, and you have shopped 'til you dropped, what will matter more-getting a new iPod for Christmas or knowing that you made a difference in someone else's life?

Three local organizations are doing something to help Houston's homeless and needy this holiday season and are looking for volunteers to spread Christmas cheer.

It does not cost anything, but could mean spending an afternoon sorting donations, creating homemade Christmas cards, or serving food to the hungry at Catholic Charities, Volunteer Houston or City Wide Club of Clubs.

For 11 days, Catholic Charities is in need of volunteers to help account for the gifts in its warehouse and sort them for distribution. The warehouse round-up begins runs Nov. 27 through Dec. 14.

Volunteers can work four- to eight-hour shifts in the morning or afternoon. Individuals 14 years and older, and children 13 years and younger accompanied by their parents, are invited to help out.

Volunteer coordinator Beth Zarate said Catholic Charities' mission is to extend to all people the healing ministry of Jesus Christ. "We give to 4,000 families in the Houston area every year," she said.

Volunteers are asked to call Zarate two days in advance for scheduling purposes. She can be reached at 713-874-6727 for specific dates and time availability.

Walter Black, recruitment director at Volunteer Houston said they are looking for people who enjoy arts and crafts to create Christmas cards. "We need a lot of Christmas cards," he said.

During Christmas, Volunteer Houston gives out between 1,500 to 2,000 cards, Black said.

Black said it is important not to let the numbers become discouraging or overwhelming when considering making cards.

"If the card will cheer up one person, it's worth doing one card," Black said.

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