Holidays are meant for food, laughter and quality time with loved ones, but there are hundreds of people who give up their holiday to give to the less fortunate in Arizona every year hoping that no matter what, everyone's holiday is filled with a little joy.

As of December 31, 2010, there is on average 7, 555 Arizona citizens without a home during the holidays. Homeless shelters throughout the valley, such as Christine’s House, provide not only food and shelter during the holidays, but also guidance and advice on how to get lives back on track.

“It’s something we do on a daily basis here at Christine’s house, but we try even harder to make things easier during the holidays,” says volunteer Katherine Jimenez.

Salvation Army Christmas Angels are also another foundation which helps grant gift wishes to less fortunate children. This program sets up Christmas trees in shopping malls, churches, supermarkets and even at community events such as Glendale Glitters.

“Everyone deserves something special on Christmas,” says junior Veronica Cortes. “The smallest thing can mean the most to others.”

 The tree is adorned with paper slips that have the child’s name, age, clothing size and desired gift written upon them. A kind Samaritan can “adopt” an angel by picking a paper slip off the tree and purchasing the child’s gift of choice or clothes and shoes in the child’s size.

Operation Gratitude is yet another way volunteers across the nation spread holiday cheer, only this time it’s to give a piece of home to the troops halfway across the world.

Founded in 2003, Operation Gratitude has sent over 750,000 care packages as of December 2011.  These packages include items such as toiletries, Halloween candy and Girl Scout cookies to chapstick, energy drinks and knit socks and scarves.

For soldiers who don’t have loved ones back home to write them or send them a care package of their own, this operation gives them a sense of hope and a feeling that America does care and appreciate them.

“I think it’s great that someone has come up with this,” says freshman Claudia Garcia. “It’s a great way to give back to our troops.”

Donating to organizations such as the Salvation Army or St. Mary’s Food Bank is another way to give back to the community and a way to help out those in need. There is no age limit or price tag on the amount of happiness someone can provide during the holiday season.