I want to help out this holiday, but where do I start?

Check this out:

http://www.volunteermatch.org/

Do you think if I went down to a local church they may be able to help me find something in the area?

Sure- You might also want to check out the local soup kitchens, Salvation Army, etc.

You may want to check with Rosie's Place and the Pine Street Inn.
Both are worthy causes and located nearby.

The nursery workers at Head Start are always pressed for time and energy.

You might give your local branch a call and offer to spend an afternoon rehabbing toys--scrubbing, mending, small repairs--whatever is needed.

Most places with Feel Good service opportunities are booked for the holidays, but they'll need people in January and February, too.

The Salvation Army is looking for bell ringers.

As I remember the shifts are four hours long and in this weather the pavement is cold and hard--but the cause is good.

I have found from past experience that those Salvation Army workers are usually pretty old dudes. If you casually walk up toward them, smile, and then....POW!... nail them square in the face, they will drop like a ton of bricks.

Then............. the kettle is yours.

I made a couple hundred bucks last year using that strategy.

You might check in with your local children's hospital. A lot of kids don't get to go home for the holiday and the hospitals try to make the days special.