National days hold a special place in our hearts. They give us a reason to come together as a community and celebrate what makes our country unique. But beyond the festivities and parades, these national days present a golden opportunity to make a genuine difference in people’s lives. Consider the immense importance of using a “National Day of…” to launch donation drives, bulk purchasing programs, and Adopt-a-Family programs. By leveraging these occasions, we can create a ripple effect of positive change and transform communities for the better.
National days (or weeks or months) provide a powerful launching pad for driving impact through collective action. By harnessing the collective goodwill and enthusiasm on these occasions, we can maximize our efforts, gather more resources, and extend a helping hand to those in need.
OCTOBER
October is prime time to kick off drives thanks to an abundance of National Days, and it’s not just because of Halloween! But before we look at two special days, first let’s turn our attention to Socktober and National Book Month.
Socktober is October’s answer to foot comfort, health, and hygiene, beginning with clean socks. Often overlooked, socks are a vital component of comfort and a healthier life, especially for those in need. Launch a life-changing sock drive or bulk purchase this month and celebrate Socktober.
October is also National Book Month, making it the best time to kick off a campaign to get books into the hands of young readers. Drives like United Way for Southeastern Michigan’s Read United Book Drive showcase the fantastic opportunity awaiting the month of October. Consider launching your own drive this month to help guide a young reader into worlds of fantasy, adventure, and education.
October 2 is National Child Health Day, giving organizations an opportunity to launch a health and wellness drive. Focusing on items that enhance and improve the health and wellness of children can range from hygiene packs to recreational equipment. Focusing on the needs of children gives this day a unique perspective on traditional hygiene, health, and wellness drives.
Speaking of recreational equipment, October 16 is National Sports Day, making this a great day to kick off a sporting goods drive. From baseball gloves to hockey sticks, from volleyballs to tennis rackets, children and youth benefit from being engaged in activities that keep them active in their neighborhoods and communities. Maybe there is a team in your community that could benefit from a dedicated equipment drive. Connect with them to create a list of needs that serves as the foundation of your drive.
NOVEMBER
November is all about family and the memories made. Beginning with National Family Literacy Month, November is an ideal time to run a book drive. We know that children benefit emotionally and cognitively from the special time they spend reading with their parents and caregivers…and this month gives you a chance to be a part of it all! Engage donors with a book drive like Rocket Family of Companies Virtual Book Drive that includes all grade school reading levels and play your part in making a difference.
Adopt-A-Senior Month takes place each November. This month, show the seniors in your community how much they matter by hosting an Adopt-A-Senior program like the Season for Seniors program that saw 100% of its seniors sponsored! To learn more about sponsoring a senior, check out this recent article that is all about supporting seniors.
Rounding out November, Thanksgiving takes center stage. Food drives are always prevalent during the season and this year will be no different. Support families in your neighborhood by ensuring they have all the fixings for a memorable holiday feast by hosting an Adopt-A-family sponsorship like the Fill-A-Box Thanksgiving Drive. With cornbread, stuffing, and cranberries, you can help fill a plate and make a family smile this Thanksgiving.
DECEMBER
Easily the most popular month to showcase the generous hearts of donors, December is packed with special days including Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, and Christmas. And there’s no shortage of ideas to boost feelings of goodwill.
Let’s start with toy drives. The smile on a child’s face as they unwrap that special gift is a memory that many parents and caregivers cherish. But for some—without help from their communities—these memories are few and far between. Check out the Orange County Mayor’s Toy Drive which has raised over 65,000 toys! With gifts that range in price, there’s a way for everyone to help make your drive a success. How great does it feel to hear feedback like this, “I was in shock! I was not expecting to see so many toys. I am so thankful for everything the Toy Drive has done.”
From single individuals to families, a holiday Adopt–a-Family/Child program is a great way to meet the needs of specific people in your community. The One22 Resource Center ran a program that saw many lives touched during the holidays with gift-specific sponsorships that surely made the holiday a memorable one. As one parent expressed, it was “… a relief for me and my family. When you have organizations who are willing to help, it’s definitely heartwarming.”
Bulk purchasing is also a viable option to bring about change and help make memories. Roonga offers bulk purchasing of a variety of products and supplies allowing you to get the most for your dollars. This holiday season, maximize your efforts through the buying power of Roonga and put smiles on the faces of so many people.
Before we go, one last thought on December opportunities. If you missed Socktober, here’s the last chance of the year – December 4 is National Sock Day. Use this day to slip into foot care and comfort with a sock drive or bulk purchase to help ensure people in need have the clean and healthy footwear everyone needs and deserves.
About Roonga
Whether you’re looking to purchase goods in bulk, run an online collection drive, or kick off an Adopt-A-Family program, Roonga is ready to help. Our web platform helps organizations increase their influence outside their immediate vicinity while focusing their online donation efforts. Charities and nonprofit organizations can use Roonga’s purchasing power to secure high-quality products, boosting the impact of their campaigns.
Reach out to Roonga to start building your online drive or to get a quote for a bulk purchase. We are privileged to host successful programs and campaigns through our tried-and-true services, and we look forward to collaborating with you to improve the future.