The holiday season is a great time to volunteer and give back. But let’s face it: Amid frantic shopping trips, office holiday parties and kids’ Christmas concerts, volunteering isn’t always top-of-mind.

So what happens if you’re hoping to squeeze in some last-minute holiday volunteer work?

“Oh, it’s never too late,” says Ainsley Kendrick, manager of marketing and communications for Volunteer Toronto.

Kendrick says that even late in December, there are still organizations looking for help – for everything from wrapping gifts to delivering holiday care packages. She says would-be volunteers can search for opportunities on the Volunteer Toronto website volunteertoronto.ca or even work directly with a rep from the organization to find a cause that fits.

Central Neighbourhood House cnh.on.ca is an organization offering support programs for children, youth, families, women, seniors and new Canadians. They’re still looking for 2014 holiday volunteers, says Chris Stouffer, volunteer coordinator for home support.

“We do a gift delivery to our (home support) clients and we have 1300 clients – we do it right across the GTA,” he explains. “It takes a lot of people to do it.”

The shifts involve delivering gift boxes filled with personal care items and treats like chocolates or tea to seniors and people with disabilities.

“(The shifts) don’t really take that long because a lot of them are in apartment buildings and condos,” Stouffer adds.

The Salvation Army is another organization that’s always looking for holiday help. “We have 350 kettle locations throughout the city managed by two thousand bell ringers. We do need a lot of assistance,” says spokesperson Andrew Burditt. He says anyone interested can visit the Salvation Army’s bell ringer website bellringertoronto.cafor more information.

If gift wrapping for a few hours sounds like a fun way to give back, you’re in luck.

StepStones for Youth (stepstonesforyouth.com is searching for more volunteers for their Vaughan Mills gift wrapping station, according to executive director Heather O’Keefe. The station will be running until December 24 with many shifts still available.

Toronto Green Community (torontogreen.com) also needs volunteers for their eco gift-wrapping initiative, on until December 24 as well. They have stations set up for volunteers at Dufferin Mall and Mountain Equipment Co-op on King St. West.

There are lots of organizations, however, whose ranks are already filled for the holidays. Second Harvest, Holiday Helpers and the Yonge Street Mission all say they’ve either reached, or are nearing, their volunteer capacities.

Horizons for Youth, near Eglinton Ave. West and Caledonia Rd., now has a waiting list for volunteers.

“A lot of people may not have family and want to volunteer on Christmas Day, but we’re a shelter of 35 youth, so we can’t have more volunteers than youth,” says Bob Hall, the organization’s development associate.

Even if you can’t volunteer, organizations say there are other ways to give back.

“We’re looking for Christmas gifts and toys for youth who’ve left us who have families, or hygiene products for stocking stuffers,” Hall says, adding the organization will need volunteers after the holiday season.

“(If) people want to volunteer to open their wallets, we are still taking donations at YSM.ca,” says Sally Ritchie, manager of marketing and communications for the Yonge Street Mission.

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If you want to give your time, not your money, it’s best to plan ahead for next year. Some of the organizations the Star spoke with, like Horizons for Youth and Second Harvest, start filling their ranks before the holiday season.

Calls to Horizons for Youth typically start in September and October, Hall notes.

Tonia Krauser, director of communications for Second Harvest, says December is the one month of the year when the organization is heavy on volunteers. “I would suggest if people want to volunteer during December that they plan and reach out to charities by the end of November at the latest,” she says.

While the holidays often lead to an influx in helpers, Kendrick says it’s important to remember that organizations need the help year-round, and are always seeking motivated and dependable volunteers.

“We really hope and recommend people choose something they want to do all-year round, not something they want to do just this time of year,” says Kendrick.

Other ways to help out

Support the Star’s Santa Claus Fund: Donate online to help provide gifts for underprivileged children and reach our goal of $1.6 million.

Give away your stuff: Shelters, daycares and charities are often in need of clothes, books and housewares.

Donate blood: Did you know that only 1 in 60 Canadians gave blood last year, when almost 1 out of every 2 Canadians is eligible to donate? You can provide this gift of life through Canadian Blood Services.

Adopt an endangered animal: The Toronto Zoo has a variety of animals up for “adoption,” from polar bears to tree kangaroos. There’s even a chance to win a behind-the-scenes tour and meet Bob the sloth.

Top up a toy drive: The Drake (1150 Queen St. West) is accepting unwrapped toys and new kids’ clothing until Dec. 15, as well as Drake One Fifty (150 York St.) until Dec. 19.