Using a helping hand to spread some cheer may be appreciated by some local senior citizens and individuals with disabilities this holiday season.

Volunteers of America Michigan, 430 N. Larch St. in Lansing, is seeking people to help with their Holiday Meal Program.

For more than 30 years, the organization has been requesting names of senior citizens and individuals with disabilities who will be alone for the holidays in the Lansing area.

The goal of the program is to offer a dinner for the less fortunate, bringing a little more joy to them during the holidays, said Lisa Galbavi, development assistant for Volunteers of America Michigan.

Volunteers would be asked to deliver dinners, sort homemade cookies, bake the cookies and possibly talk with the dinner recipients on Christmas Day.

“It’s very heartwarming just seeing all the volunteers out to deliver meals helping people who don’t have any family over the holidays,” Galbavi said.

Many volunteers are still needed to help the organization with about 400 people who have already signed up to receive a dinner.

The deadline to nominate dinner recipients is Dec. 21., but no one is denied a dinner, Galbavi said.

Any volunteer who can drive would be helpful, she said.

Some students feel helping those who are less fortunate is meaningful around the holidays.

“It’s important to make sure everybody feels all that love who necessarily don’t have family,” no-preference sophomore Jessica Beech said. “They should be able to share and enjoy all the benefits too.”

No-preference freshman Emily Gittins is heading home for the holidays, but said she may help out the elderly in her hometown.

“I have family, but feel bad for those who don’t,” she said.

Psychology senior Beth Bobbitt said not only would volunteering help others, but it would make the volunteers feel better about themselves.

“It makes people really sad if they don’t have any family because of our culture,” she said. “I think it would be a good opportunity to meet people in the community, and it would make me feel like I was doing something.”

For accounting freshman Ryan Flood, it only seems appropriate that people donate their time to others.

“These people may not have families, and Christmas time is about being with loved ones,” he said. “I would just talk with them to let them know they are not left out and alone.”

To sign someone up for a dinner or to volunteer, call (517)484-4414.