Want to give back to your community and brighten some lives for the holidays? Here are a few ways to do it in the COVID-19 world:

• By hosting a virtual fund-raiser, you can support a non-profit organization and promote its work while connecting with friends and family during an unusual holiday season. To get people excited about the cause, go beyond simply asking for donations. For example, host a dance-a-thon via video conference and have each participant get sponsors. Or, perform a concert and live-stream it, asking friends to make a donation in order to watch.
• Spread holiday cheer by donating toys, books, games and other gifts for kids who may not otherwise receive any this season. Be sure to review the policies of the organization you select. For example, some charities ask that gifts remain unwrapped. And look for drop-off sites that allow you to donate in a safe, socially distant way.
• Speaking of gifts for those who can really use them, Santa for Seniors is putting something under the tree for seniors who are homebound, live alone or otherwise are dealing with the effects of loneliness, including a heightened sense of isolation caused by the pandemic. The Tacoma-based program of Lutheran Community Services Northwest, a non-profit social services agency (whose programs also include Senior Media Services, publisher of Senior Scene), expects to provide gifts for 3,000-plus people in seven counties this season. Information about how to get involved, including volunteering or donating gifts, is at lscnw.org/program/santa-for-seniors/ and 253-722-5684.
• Another way for volunteers to make a difference in lonely seniors’ lives is as a pen pal. Whether writing to each other with handwritten cards and letters or using video conferencing, the friendship can provide a much-needed connection. Churches and organizations like United Way might be a starting point.