WEEKLY 5: Have a Hand This Holiday Season? Lend It.

Havre de Grace is often praised for being a city that gives. And gives some more.

Volunteerism is high in the city.

It starts at the high school, which carries a telling motto: "Enter to Learn, Leave to Serve."

And serve we do.

Here are five places Patch suggests for you to lend a hand this winter:

5. & 4. (TIE) Susquehanna Hose Company or the Havre de Grace Ambulance Corps. We're fortunate in this city to have two organizations with such quality leadership, as many willing individuals from top to bottom—many of them overlapping in both organizations. There are few perks, but generally, the value that comes with joining either of these organizations is knowing that you're giving back to such a wonderful community, and protecting the citizens that share an alma mater, a workplace, and sometimes even a neighborhood.

3. Grace Place. First, you have to belong to a church that participates in Grace Place. The organization is set up on the campus at St. John Episcopal Church on Union Ave., between the church and the Harford County Public Library.  Every Tuesday, volunteers give their time—along with a bagged lunch and groceries—to those in need.

2. The City of Havre de Grace. There is a ton of stuff the city is planning for the holiday season. Have a minute? Stop by the city's information center and see where they need some help. City employees give hours of their time—unpaid in most instances—to keep the traditions and lore about the city alive. Do you think those candles just magically appear? Or that those nifty, school spirit light gels at last weekend's Christmas Parade just appeared on the street lights along St. John and Washington streets? Someone is out doing that. In the cold. For free. With no fanfare. Go lend a hand if you can.

1. Create your own opportunity. Pick up some trash. Help a neighbor bring in their groceries. We're bound to get some snow—help your neighbors shovel out. Raise some money for a local charity. Go clean up around the Promenade. Help friends put up lights on their trees outside. Drop off some used winter coats for the underprivileged students at the elementary schools in town. The great thing about volunteerism is that it doesn't take a formal invitation. If you see someone in need, lend a hand. Ask how you can help.

In these trying times, the true depth of one's character comes forth in the ability to give when it seems like there's nothing left to give. If you have time, share it with others.

Happy Holidays, Havre de Grace!