Celebrate the true spirit of Christmas with this 25 Days of Kindness Advent Calendar!
Gather your family and friends, or even print this for yourself and add a meaningful twist to your holiday traditions. This printable calendar encourages daily acts of kindness both big and small that spread joy within our community and create lasting memories.
 |
1. Drop off a new, unwrapped toy to Foam and Wash in Wappingers for the annual Hudson Valley Young Professionals Toy Drive to benefit United Way and Community Family Development through 12/13. The Tomato Cafe is also doing a drive for Dutchess County Toys for Tots on 12/2 in Fishkill + 15% of the total proceeds from the day will be donated too! Grab lunch or dinner when you drop off a toy and double your donation! John Jay High School Student Government is also collecting for the Children's Home of Poughkeepsie!
2. Pay for the coffee or a snack for the person behind you. If possible, children can bring an extra snack or share with someone who may have forgotten theirs.
3. This Giving Tuesday - Pick your favorite local non-profit to donate too! Some local ideas include:
- Sparrow's Nest, Beekman
- Greystone Programs, Hopewell Junction
- Mental Health of America | Beacon Wellness PROS, Beacon
- Fresh Air Fund, Fishkill
- Habitat for Humanity of Dutchess County, Wappingers
4. Collect Food for the Fishkill Food Pantry. Visit on Facebook to see where food drives are happening this month.
5. Fulfill the wish of a child from the Children's Home of Poughkeepsie when you pick a tag from the tree in the lobby of All Sport Health and Fitness Club! Also check for participating Angel Tree locations to choose a child through Angels of Light HV.
6. Write or make Christmas cards for a local nursing home: Wingate, Sapphire Nursing at Wappingers, Inspire McClelland, or Taconic Rehabilitation and Nursing.
7. Let someone go ahead of you in line and/or say hello to a stranger with a warm smile.
8. Visit the Bean's Cat Cafe in Beacon and give love to some kitties. Bring a donation. Check out the website for current needs. Can't visit the cats? Offer to walk a neighbor's dog or take care of their pet.
9. Compliment someone today sincerely.
10. Write a thank you note to a teacher, healthcare worker, or someone who's helped you recently.
11. Leave a positive review for a small business you love. Check out some ideas here!
12. Cook a meal for a loved one. Kids can even cook dinner tonight and/or help mom and dad!
13. Grab a trash bag and clean up a local park, on a hike, or even just a walk around your neighborhood!
14. Fill an empty box with toys no longer played with and donate to a local thrift shop. Call ahead to make sure they can accept.
Care of DC, Wappingers Falls
Nifty Thrifty, Fishkill
Safe Haven Thrift Shop, Fishkill
Finders Keepers, Beacon
Once Upon a Child, Wappingers Falls
15. Shop at Second Wave Supplies in Beacon and create DIY gifts for neighbors and friends!
16. Leave a special treat or note on a neighbor's door.
17. Bake cookies for the local police/ fire department and deliver them.
18. Bring a book donation to the local library along with some coffee, tea or goodies for the librarians! Check here for a list of local libraries.
19. Leave a thank you treat and card in the mailbox for your postal worker.
20. Help someone at the grocery store load or unload their groceries.
21. Leave a happy note for a stranger on their windshield in a shopping plaza.
22. Go caroling!
23. Support the Special Olympics and sign up for the Polar Plunge on February 15 in Fishkill at Sharpe Reservation.
24. Help a family member or friend with a task or chore. Ask a teacher, neighbor, or friend how you can help!
25. Spend time with family, friends and loved ones.
