Margie Yohn’s Post

We’ve been thinking!! How do you keep the Community Spirit Alive Beyond the Holidays? As we wrap up the festive season, we’ve been reflecting on the incredible sense of community we've witnessed—people coming together to share gifts, food, and joy. It’s truly heartwarming! However, it raises an important question: how do we sustain this spirit beyond the holiday season? While it's wonderful to see this outpouring of kindness during Christmas, we are curious about your thoughts and plans for keeping this momentum going throughout the year. What initiatives are you considering to foster connection and support in your community? What’s your plan to keep the festive spirit alive? Share your thoughts below! #Community #Togetherness #Sustainability #SocialImpact #YearRoundGiving #socialworktoolkit

Is Tipping Your Staff Required This Holiday Season? 🤔 Tipping your staff during the holiday season is a common practice, but it's not mandatory. Whether or not to tip is a personal choice and completely up to you. No matter what you decide, remember that your staff works hard to provide you and your community a great service in keeping your building in order. And one way you can show your appreciation is by tipping and showing generosity! I covered everything on a recently uploaded a video on our YouTube channel about holiday tipping for this Christmas season. Check out the Full Video here! - https://lnkd.in/euc2Aj8J Thank you so much for the support and enjoy the holidays! 🎄 #holidayseason #tippingetiquette #thanksgiving #christmas #nyc

Why would anyone host a party for 100 people? It’s not just about the fun (although there’s plenty of that). This past weekend, we threw our annual ugly sweater cookie and beer exchange christmas party—a house full of laughter, connection, and yes, a little chaos. It wasn’t easy. It wasn’t cheap. But it was worth every ounce of effort. Here’s why: Fostering community matters to me. In a world where life pulls us in different directions, creating moments that bring people together feels more important than ever. Memories are the ultimate investment for me. Parties like this are more than events—they’re milestones. People will remember the laughter, the cookies, and the shared moments long after the cleanup. Living intentionally isn’t always about minimizing for me. Sometimes, it’s about maximizing the things that align with your values. For me, that’s family, friends, and creating spaces for connection. Would I do it again? Absolutely. Because aligning my time, energy, and resources with what truly matters is the heart of intentional living. 👇 What’s one way you’ve invested in what matters most to you lately?

Building Stronger Communities Through Peace, Love, Joy, and Thanksgiving In a world often divided by differences, one of the greatest gifts we can give and receive is unity. Communities thrive when individuals come together, fostering a sense of peace, love, and joy. These values are the foundation of strong relationships, collective progress, and a shared sense of belonging. This is why events that celebrate gratitude and thanksgiving are so crucial. They remind us to pause, reflect on our blessings, and appreciate the people who make our lives meaningful. Thanksgiving isn’t just about expressing gratitude; it’s about reinforcing the bonds that hold us together as neighbors, friends, and community members. A united community, built on shared values of respect and understanding, becomes a force for positive change. When we work together, celebrate each other’s successes, and support one another through challenges, we create an environment where everyone can flourish. Let’s remember that even the smallest acts of kindness—sharing a meal, helping a neighbor, or simply offering a smile—can spark joy and deepen our connections. As we strive for a world where peace, love, and unity prevail, let’s make thanksgiving a daily practice, not just a seasonal event. Together, we can build stronger, happier communities where everyone feels valued and included. 💡 How do you foster unity and thanksgiving in your community? Let’s share ideas and inspire one another! #CommunityBuilding #PeaceAndUnity #LoveAndGratitude #Thanksgiving #Inspiration #SocialImpact #JoyInAction @LagosStateGovernment @CommunityLeaders, @Nonprofits @TourAfrica @ TourAfricaMag 📢 Join the conversation by sharing your story or tagging someone making a difference in their community!

Holiday gatherings can be overwhelming for kids. ✨ Social stories are a simple way to prepare them for events like visiting Grandma’s for Christmas dinner! 🏡 Outline what to expect, who they’ll see, and fun activities ahead to ease anxiety and build confidence. #HolidayParenting #SocialStories #ParentingTips #FamilyHolidays #HolidayAnxiety #ParentingSupport

Loneliness can feel especially tough around Christmas, when everyone seems to be celebrating togetherness. But remember, you’re not alone in feeling this way 💙✨ 💡 Here are some ideas that might help: Reach out to friends or family 📞 — even a quick chat can bring some warmth to your day. Join a community group or holiday event 🎄🎶 — many places host Christmas gatherings where you can meet new people. Volunteer 🤲 giving back can create meaningful connections and remind you of the joy in helping others. Practice self-care 🛀 go for a winter walk, meditate, or dive into a cozy book. Little steps can make a big difference. Don’t be afraid to reach out. We’re all in this together, especially at Christmas ❤️🎅

Did you know? When you join a loved one for Dry January, it’s more than just a gesture—it’s a ripple of support that helps them feel seen, valued, and encouraged. 🌊 Here are 6 ways you can be a Sober Ally: 1️⃣ Plan Sober-Friendly Outings Suggest activities like hiking, coffee dates, escape rooms, art classes, or movie nights that don’t center around alcohol. 2️⃣ Be Their Accountability Buddy Check in regularly, offer encouragement, and join them in Dry January to show solidarity. 3️⃣ Listen Without Judgment Be a safe space for them to share their experiences or challenges during the month. 4️⃣Avoid Offering Alcohol Be mindful of offering or consuming alcohol around them, especially in social settings. 5️⃣ Help Shift Social Plans Suggest alternatives to happy hours, like trivia nights or volunteer events, and normalize sober gatherings. 6️⃣ Focus on Meaningful Connection Spend time together in ways that strengthen your relationship—sometimes it’s about showing up, not what you’re doing. This Dry January, consider joining your loved ones in their journey—it’s a small step that makes a big impact. Let’s create a world where sober feels celebrated. #DryJanuarySupport #DryJanuary #Sobriety #SoberLiving #Recovery #TogetherWeThrive #EndTheStigma #SoberSupport #SoberCommunity #CommunityMatters  #SOBRsafeFamily #SOBRsafe #BehavioralHealth

You may have thought that Christmas is gone, but yes, it is coming again at the end of the year. And as with every year it will be make or break for many businesses. Culture will be an important driver of behaviour as we saw with research into gift giving for the Christmas just past. Cultural Drivers such as Time-Fulness and Hyper Functionality played a key role in how people navigated gift giving. These cultural drivers will be almost certainly play a role in Christmas 2025. For those who need to start planning early understanding these and their impact will be critical.

Did you know, half a million older people in the UK can go five or six days without speaking to anyone? And the festive period can be particularly difficult for older people who live alone, without or far away from family and friends. Are you planning to host a festive event that’s suitable for an older person? If so, you can add your event to our free, online community Christmas directory to spread the word far and wide. Your event will help support older people who might be lonely or isolated, and give them a chance to connect with others during the festive period. Whether it’s your first event or you’re continuing a time-honoured tradition, add your event to our community Christmas directory. Listings are free and your event just needs to be happening in December and suitable for older people. Together, let’s create social connections at Christmas for older people across the UK 🧡: https://bit.ly/46ZRVCD

🌟 Hey Community Builders! 🌟 The holidays are here, and what better way to keep the festive spirit alive than by fostering a little extra connection and cheer? Whether you’re celebrating virtually or in person, here are some creative ideas to keep your members engaged this season: ✨ Host Holiday-Themed Events: Virtual happy hours, holiday trivia, or an ugly sweater contest—get everyone in the seasonal spirit! ✨ Share Seasonal Prompts: “What’s your favorite holiday tradition?” or “What’s a moment from this year you’re proud of?” ✨ Spotlight Your Community: Celebrate your most engaged members or share inspiring stories from this past year. ✨ Encourage Gratitude: Ask your members to share shout-outs, express thanks, or celebrate each other's contributions to the community. ✨ Plan for the New Year: Kick off 2025 with a campaign focused on fresh connections and goal-setting to inspire a strong start. What’s on your agenda for keeping your community connected this holiday season? I’d love to hear your plans—drop your ideas in the comments! Wishing you a joyful season filled with meaningful connections. Happy connecting! 🤝