The holiday season is officially here, and ‘tis the season of giving. Whether it’s donating to the local food kitchen, throwing change into the Salvation Army bucket, or checking the red box on your gas bill, the holiday season can bring out the best in all of us.

At TVG each year the staff comes together for the holidays and makes a group donation. For the third year in a row, it’s to the St. Louis Loving Hearts Outreach. New clothing, toys and food are brought in by staff to provide a local family with gifts and a holiday meal.

Since TVG was founded 15 years ago, the firm has donated $1million to various charities and non-profits in the Greater St. Louis region. Corporate giving not only has an impact on those in need, but it’s an opportunity for an organization to become involved and build stronger ties in the community they serve. Social responsibility is an increasingly expected and rewarding part of an organization’s identity. So, use this holiday season to boost your organization’s corporate social responsibility profile, not just to help your bottom line, but to help those who need it the most.

And remember, you don’t need the holidays as an excuse to give back! Join TVG in supporting programs such as the United Way , Dollar-Help, Loving Hearts or any of the deserving charities in our area, and make your personal and corporate giving a year round activity!

Still wondering how to give back? Check out this month’s issue of Glamour magazine’s “31 days of giving back” featuring all kinds of organizations. Or, check out St. Louis’ 100 neediest cases in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Also, all are welcome to comment with your favorite charities.

Contact us at tvg@vandivergroup.com or send comments to blog@vandivergroup.com.