Been wanting to do more than the typical humdrum of the holidays? %uFFFDWant to get connected to your community?%uFFFD Have a hard time feeling warm and fuzzy without the spiked eggnog?

%uFFFDTry doing a little volunteer work this December.---

%uFFFD%uFFFD%uFFFD%uFFFDMy stocking is perpetually full of good intentions, equally as much as intricate excuses. Sound familiar?%uFFFD We recently had a request from a reader as to how they can make good on some soon-to-expire New Year's resolutions.

%uFFFD%uFFFD%uFFFD%uFFFD%uFFFDMany folks want to have a hand in the goodwill but don't know where to look. %uFFFDIn Salt Lake City, there are a myriad of opportunities to get involved. %uFFFDCheck out http://www.alittletime.org/ for some guidance. %uFFFDListed are spotlighted endeavors, or you could sift through the assemblage to find something fitting to your preferences. %uFFFDRanging from serving turkey to fill a belly to lending an ear to a lonely elder, you can spend an hour or a day. %uFFFDIf donating your self and your time is not what you are looking for, you can make contributions of food, clothing, and blankets.

%uFFFD%uFFFD%uFFFD%uFFFDThe spirit of volunteer work is said to be altruistic.%uFFFD While giving can be a selfless act, the self is often satisfied with a feeling of accomplishment and good deed.%uFFFD I think that is why most people give gifts in the first place.%uFFFD If the mere thought of helping another isn't enough maybe this paradigm shift will get you out of the house.

Here are some selections to get you started:

Salt Lake City Mission

Volunteers: %uFFFDCall Dec. 21 at 8 a.m. in order to serve on Christmas Day

Contact: %uFFFD801.355.6310 (Steve Larson)

Utah Food Bank

Volunteers: %uFFFDHelp with food drives, sorting food, decorating, and food boxes.

Donations: %uFFFDNon-perishable, commercially packaged food products.

Contact: %uFFFD801.978.2452%uFFFD

Shelter Kids (at SL County youth Services)

Donations: %uFFFDTeen holiday items, boy/girl plain t-shirts, PJ's, hoodies, socks, shower flip-flops, chapstick, lotions AXE gift sets.

Special Holiday donation requests: %uFFFD(4) decorated holiday trees for youth shelters.

Also, a volunteer group to cook a Holiday Dinner December 25th for 55 people.

Contact: %uFFFDwww.youth.slco.org%uFFFD

Satiate your giving glands in place of your glutenous gobblers this holiday season (or at least along with). %uFFFDYou are sure to get those warm and fuzzies, guild-free.