Ways Family Businesses Make a Difference During the Festive Season

Posted by The Contributing Writer on

Family businesses often play a pivotal role in their communities, blending commerce with compassion, especially during the festive season. Beyond profits, many of these enterprises prioritize giving back, creating a ripple effect of goodwill and support that touches lives locally and globally. This expert roundup looks into the unique and inspiring ways family businesses spread holiday cheer while reinforcing their commitment to community values.

Insights

Create an Employee-Led Giving Program

What we’ve done, and something other family businesses can do, is create an employee-led giving program. The idea behind it is simple but effective: I asked our team to nominate local charities or causes that they care about. Then, we either donate funds, or in some cases, contribute our services to help those organizations directly. 

Last year, for example, our electricians nominated a local community center that provided meals and education to underprivileged families. Instead of just sending a check, our team decided to get involved directly. We spent time doing everything from basic electrical repairs to installing energy-efficient lighting throughout their kitchen and dining areas. Our work improved their facilities, allowing them to serve even more families with better resources.

Daniel Vasilevski

Daniel Vasilevski, Director & Owner, Bright Force Electrical

Set Up a Giving Tree

What I’ve done in my firm that family businesses can easily replicate during the holiday season is creating a giving tree. We set up a tree in our office and attached tags that represented certain needs from local community members, such as warm clothing for children, groceries for families, or small holiday gifts for seniors. Each tag had a short description of the item needed, and employees and customers could pick a tag, purchase the item, and bring it back to the office to place under the tree.

Our employees loved being involved, and customers appreciated the opportunity to contribute during their visits. By the end of the season, we had collected hundreds of items that went directly to families and individuals who truly needed them. It brought a sense of togetherness and reinforced the idea that even small actions can make a big difference during the holidays.

Shaun Bettman

Shaun Bettman, Chief Executive Officer, Eden Emerald Mortgages

Help Winterize Homes for Families

To give back over the holidays means being able to give to the people who need it with what we have as a team. Our team spends time helping single-parent families and elderly residents by making small, impactful changes that would otherwise be ignored. This past winter, we’ve been working on winterizing homes—replacing broken siding, sealing windows, and repairing entryways to keep families warm during the winter months.

The thing that always makes these projects memorable is the community involvement behind each initiative. Our local vendors supply materials at a discount and sometimes even make donations for us so that we can spread the work out more. Our employees bring their families to volunteer, turning these projects into opportunities for us to meet our neighbors. Probably the best compliment we received was from one family who wrote us a handwritten note to tell us that the repairs had allowed them to host their first holiday meal in years. These small gestures of giving cement the holiday spirit and remind us of how powerful it is for companies to be proactive in expressing their gratitude.

Tyler Hull

Tyler Hull, Owner and General Manager, Modern Exterior

Offer Free Website Audits to Non-Profits

We’ve made it a holiday tradition to offer free website audits and digital marketing consultations to local nonprofits in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). This stemmed from my belief that technology access shouldn’t be a barrier for organizations doing important community work. 

Last December, we helped a local food bank optimize their donation platform, leading to a 40% increase in online contributions during their critical holiday fundraising period. Our team dedicated extra hours to ensure their website could handle increased traffic and make the donation process seamless. The impact went beyond just technical improvements. 

By enhancing their digital presence, we helped them reach more donors and ultimately serve more families in need during the festive season. It’s our way of using our expertise to strengthen our community when it matters most. This initiative not only benefits local organizations but also energizes our team, reminding us that our technical skills can create meaningful community impact.

Harmanjit Singh

Harmanjit Singh, Founder and CEO, Origin Web Studios

Provide Complimentary Tree Services

Family businesses have a unique opportunity to give back during the holiday season by leveraging their close community ties and expertise to create meaningful impact. We’ve made it a tradition to partner with local organizations to provide complimentary tree trimming and removal services for public spaces, schools, or families in need who may not have the means to handle hazardous or overgrown trees. One year, after a particularly harsh storm, we assisted a local school by removing a large damaged tree that posed a safety risk to children playing nearby. It wasn’t just about the technical work but ensuring the school felt safe and welcoming for the holidays.

My years of experience as a certified arborist and TRAQ-certified professional allowed me to assess the tree’s structural integrity quickly and devise a safe removal plan. Beyond the technical expertise, this effort was rooted in the values I’ve carried since starting this business: family, community, and giving back. Being family-owned for over 20 years means we’re deeply connected to the DFW area, and contributing to its safety and beauty during the holidays is a privilege we cherish. It’s always rewarding to see the relief and gratitude from those we help, reminding us that small acts of service can make a big difference in the community.

Amaury Ponce

Amaury Ponce, Business Owner, Ponce Tree Services

Organize Charity Drives and Donation Campaigns

During the holiday season, family businesses often find meaningful ways to give back to their communities. One example that comes to mind from my experience is organizing charity drives and donation campaigns. As a family business, we collaborated with local organizations and encouraged our staff and clients to contribute essential items like food, clothing, and toys for those in need. We also allocated a portion of our profits to support community initiatives, such as sponsoring holiday meals for underserved families or providing scholarships for local students.

These efforts not only brought joy and relief to those less fortunate during the holiday season but also fostered a sense of unity and gratitude within our community. Giving back has always been an integral part of our family business ethos, and it continues to inspire us to make a positive impact during the holiday season and beyond.

Andrew Pickett

Andrew Pickett, Founder and Lead Trial Attorney, Andrew Pickett Law

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About Focal Point

Focal Point is an expert roundup series on the ALPJ and Sons website that looks into the dynamic intersection of families, businesses, and family businesses. Each installment spotlights insights from thought leaders and entrepreneurs, uncovering the unique challenges and opportunities of balancing personal and professional life. Explore inspiring stories, actionable tips, and strategies for success in both realms.

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Published by The Contributing Writer

This article was written by a guest contributor. Our contributing writers bring unique perspectives, specialized expertise, and fresh insights to the topics that matter most to our readers. Opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of our entire platform.

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