LinkSquares Blog

How to Give Back This Holiday Season

Written by Mary Curtin | Nov 27, 2024

Thanksgiving is not just the pit stop two-thirds of the way through Q4. It’s a time to reflect, especially after a year that’s gone by in the blink of an eye. If your team weathered the storm and came out safely and stronger, Thanksgiving is the time to show your gratitude.

This is also a perfect opportunity for the legal team to foster stronger relationships within the organization while contributing to the broader community. Engaging in such activities can enhance your colleagues' sense of purpose and deepen their connection to the company, particularly for those with strong social responsibility.

Here are some ways you can build gratitude and relationships with people inside and outside of your org this season.

Cockpit Counsel guests’ favorite charities

LinkSquares Chief Legal Officer Tim Parilla invites legal leaders aboard to share advice that will help teams navigate even the most turbulent times of in-house counsel work.

Allowing guests to highlight important causes is a great way to end each episode of Cockpit Counsel. Below are just a few of the many.

Hayley McNeill shed a light on POWERS, Pregnancy Options Wisconsin: Education, Resources, & Support, Inc. They are doctors, midwives, doulas, educators, and activists committed to strengthening our communities and world through trust in pregnant people. Learn more about their mission here.

Robert Ball brought attention to Alzheimer's disease, and the Alzheimer's Association® is a great place to support research and get involved. Check them out here.

Albert Tawil called out The Legal Accountability Project, which ensures law clerks have positive clerkship experiences while extending support and resources to those who do not. He also spoke about the Equal Justice Initiative, which works to end mass incarceration, excessive punishment, and racial inequality. He is also passionate about causes that fight against antisemitism and hate.

Zaihra Ahmed spotlighted the efforts of the Animal Rescue League of Boston. For over 120 years, The Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) has responded to the needs of animals and the people who care about them.

A few more ideas...

Host a food drive

One of the best things about Thanksgiving is the food. But since not everyone is lucky enough to have this to look forward to, you can share the proverbial wealth by hosting a food drive. 

To make this go smoothly, establish parameters of giving: What foods are allowed? How long will the drive last? Will there be other ways to contribute to and participate in the food drive? 

This is a great opportunity to include other communities in your area, widening your efforts and impact. This way, your company is doing important work with the community, not just in it. For example, Greater Boston Food Bank is a hunger relief organization that distributes food to people in need. You can donate time or money, sponsor an event, or organize food drives through them.

Host a charity event at your office

At LinkSquares, we host a charity auction in the office each year. Last year, we raised an incredible $36,290 for some truly amazing charities. Even if hosting a large-scale event at your company isn’t in the cards, there is still a way to create buzz. Have everyone donate something, bid on the items, and have the winner donate the profits to one or more organizations.

Takeaways

This Thanksgiving, strengthen your organization's ties by giving back. There's no better way to express gratitude than by sharing with your community through food drives, volunteer days, or donations to other organizations. Reflect on the year with thanks and finish it on a high note by collaborating with your team to make a meaningful impact in your community.