For many, the holiday season is a joyous time, a time to spend with those you care about most. For others, however, the holidays are a time of loneliness and sadness. By volunteering, we can help make the holidays brighter for those in need.

Nursing homes. Visiting a nursing home during the holidays is a volunteering opportunity for the entire family. You'll obviously want to call ahead to find the best time to visit. Then, gather your family members and friend, head down to the nursing home, and engage in some old-fashioned Christmas caroling. It doesn't matter if you're not the world's greatest singer. All you need to do is show up with love in your heart and the holiday spirit in your soul.

Hospitals. You will not find hospitals on any list of top holiday destinations. You may, however, want to put hospitals on your list of top holiday volunteering destinations. Visiting the sick is a lot easier than you think. Simply go to the information desk and ask the nurse on duty who might want a visit. There'll be plenty.

Churches. Church attendance goes up during the holiday season, as does the need for church volunteers. Your local church leaders will know who in your area might need a helping hand or a friendly visit. Churches often also plan service projects during the holiday months and sometimes need drivers, lifters, wrappers, and just about any other help you feel capable of giving.

Soup kitchens. Being hungry is awful year-round, but especially during the holidays. Luckily, there are good people who strive to make sure others don't go hungry. Isn't it about time you become one of these good people? Helping is easier than you might think. Find the phone number of a local homeless shelter or soup kitchen, dial it, and ask the person who answers it what you can do to help. They might need someone to serve food. They might need someone to cook food. They might need someone to pick up food that's been donated. They might need someone to clean up. They might need you.

Your neighborhood. There are places to volunteer everywhere, including your neighborhood. After you're done shoveling the snow from your driveway, take your shovel and look for others who could use some help. Done hanging your holiday lights? Maybe someone on your street could use a hand. Feel like baking a dozen cookies? Try baking two dozen and sharing them with the widow two streets over. It's not that hard and you'll make plenty of friends.

Of course, you can serve year round. You don't have to wait until the holidays, although the holidays are a good time to start.