Month: December 2017

Goodwill and Giving

‘Tis the season of giving and goodwill. ? How will you show your holiday spirit?We’ve got some great ideas for you!

Charity Image
  • Volunteer for the Salvation Army. Reach out to your local office to find out all of the opportunities in your area such as toy sorting, assisting truck deliveries and food basket deliveries.
  • Reach out to your local hospital and see how you can volunteer or visit the patients.
  • Share some love with furry friends and the MSPCA. Spend some time giving attention and love to local shelter animals. Donating old blankets, pillows and animal toys would be great!
  • Volunteer at your local homeless shelter preparing and serving meals to the homeless.
  • Bring some cheer to senior citizens so no one has to spend the season alone or without a home cooked meal.
  • Make a difference in the life of a child with a life-threatening medical condition with the Make-A-Wish foundation.
  • There’s always the timeless tradition of caroling. Check with your local community centers and neighborhood groups or rally a crew of your own. You could even merge this with the senior and hospital suggestions above! Make it even more fun by dressing up as holiday characters!
  • Reach out to your local food pantry and see if you can help deliver holiday meals.
  • Check out Volunteer Match.
  • Pay for someone’s layaway anonymously.
  • Buy the coffee order for the person behind you.
  • Pay for someone’s dinner tab.
  • Bring a panhandler a brown bag lunch.
  • Enjoy a street musician’s talent and pay them for the show.
  • Make a tax-deductible donation in a friend’s name

“Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas.” – Calvin Coolidge

December Home Maintenance

Decorations, strolls, carols, parties, football and the start of winter weather – December sure has a lot going on! We’ve simplified this month’s maintenance to-do list so that you can focus on the beauty of this special time of year. From our big Whalen Restoration Services family to yours, Happy Holidays!

Bulb
  1. Test all of your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.
  2. Unpack and test all electrical holiday decorations. Repair or discard any that do not function properly.
  3. Review the family fire escape and emergency plans with every household member.
  4. Check your fire extinguisher’s expiration date and the gauge to ensure that it is fully charged.
  5. Check that there is still insulation around all exterior pipes and make sure that water cannot seep under the insulation.
  6. Detail clean your dishwasher, trash compactor and countertop appliances.
  7. Clean your range hood and either clean or replace the filter.

Printable version: December Home Maintenance Checklist