Spread joy this holiday season by volunteering throughout Orange County and wherever you are! In a funk and overwhelmed? You are not alone. NAMI has some local and national resources to help you now and throughout the year!

Funks. They hit hard around the holidays — stress, anxiety, depression. Life post-pandemic? Yeah… it’s been a ride. But here’s the thing: you don’t have to deal with it alone. One of the fastest ways to shake the funk is to step outside yourself and help someone else. Even a small act of kindness — volunteering, checking in on a friend, or just listening — can shift your mindset. Helping others doesn’t just make their day; it can lift your own spirit, too.

And if you’re struggling, remember you’re not alone. I belong to NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, and they have numerous resources, support groups, and programs to help anyone facing mental health challenges. Reach out — there’s support, and there’s hope.


If you’re feeling overwhelmed or stuck in that holiday funk or any funk at any time of year, you don’t have to face it alone. I belong to NAMI — the National Alliance on Mental Illness — and they offer real help:

Call their HelpLine at 1‑800‑950‑NAMI (6264)

Or text NAMI to 62640 for support

If you're in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

And for folks in Orange County specifically, you can call or text (714) 991‑6412 — that’s the NAMI OC WarmLine, open 24/7.

You’re not alone, okay? There is help. There is hope.”

2025 Holiday Volunteer Opportunities in Orange County

Orange County Rescue Mission

They host Thanksgiving Day meal services (lunch and dinner) where volunteers help with serving, setup, and cleanup. Rescue Mission+1


For Christmas, they run a “Christmas Day Celebration” on December 25, which often needs volunteers. Rescue Mission

To sign up, go to their volunteer events page. Rescue Mission


HomeAid Orange County

They have year-round volunteering, including at their Family CareCenter: serving dinner, making care packages, cleaning, organizing, landscaping, etc. HomeAid Orange County

For the holidays, they host a Holiday Food Drive: from Nov 17 to Dec 5, 2025, they collect non-perishable food and need volunteers to help sort food during the drive-thru drop-off. HomeAid Orange County

To volunteer: sign up via their website / email their Engagement Coordinator (Natasha) for group or individual volunteer shifts. HomeAid Orange County


Second Harvest Food Bank (Feed OC)

They welcome volunteers in these areas: Distribution Center (Irvine), Harvest Solutions Farm, and Founders Farm. Second Harvest OC+1

Age requirements: 7+ for farm volunteering (with chaperone for younger kids), 13+ for the Distribution Center. Second Harvest OC

To volunteer, you can submit a group reservation request or sign up individually. Second Harvest OC+1


Operation Santa Claus / Senior Santa & Friends

This is the County of Orange’s gift-drive program for children in foster care, disadvantaged families, and seniors. County of Orange Social Services Agency+1

Volunteers help with gift sorting, “angel tag” drives, and other prep work. County of Orange Social Services Agency+1

Sign-ups open in mid-late November via SignUpGenius. County of Orange Social Services Agency

Must be 18+ to volunteer in this program. County of Orange Social Services Agency

You can also apply through the County SSA Volunteer Application to be part of this or other SSA programs. County of Orange Social Services Agency


Office on Aging / Rebuilding Together

Via the OC Office on Aging, volunteers can assist older adults, e.g., through the “You Are Not Alone” (Y.A.N.A.) program. Office on Aging

Rebuilding Together Orange County (affiliated with Office on Aging) does home repair work for low-income or elderly homeowners — this could be especially meaningful during the holiday season. Office on Aging

Tips to Maximize Your Holiday Volunteering

1. Sign up early: Many of these programs (especially Operation Santa Claus and holiday meals) fill up quickly.
   
   
2. Be flexible: If you can’t help exactly on Thanksgiving or Christmas Day, there’s still great need the week before or after.
   
   
3. Volunteer as a team: Bring friends, family, or coworkers — many organizations welcome group shifts and you’ll make a bigger impact.
   
   
4. Understand age requirements: Some programs (like Second Harvest) allow younger volunteers, but others (like Operation Santa Claus) require you to be 18+.
   
   
5. Prepare for background checks: For programs run by the County (SSA / Operation Santa Claus), you may need to fill out a volunteer application and go through orientation