The Season of Giving: How We Will Give Back This Year
ByTanya Sotos
UpdatedJul 10, 2025
- The holidays are traditional times for giving.
- For many, giving means making contributions to charity.
- Other ways of giving include volunteering and just cheering people up.
The winter holidays usher in a time for family, fun, and giving of all kinds. The season of giving usually kicks off around “Giving Tuesday” in November, and continues throughout the December holidays. With all the challenges and hardships of 2020, this might be a difficult year for many to give to charity the way they usually do. So we decided to ask our team, how will you contribute during the season of giving in 2020?
The FreedomDebt Relief team had some wonderful ideas to share, and some creative ways to give back, even if we are a bit more stretched financially than usual. We also included links to some of our favorite charities, so please keep reading for more thoughts on what giving means this year.
We start by giving time and money to charities that mean the most to us
Food Insecurity for Americans is at an all-time high. I have been donating to The Farmlink Project and reaching out to our own family members. Love and help begins at home. – Henri Dawes, Sr. Director, Learning an Development
I will be giving back by volunteering with and donating to Rescue a Golden of Arizona. As the former President, this charity is close to my heart. I have intimate knowledge and understanding of why it is so important to help animals, after all, they can’t help themselves. – Heather Marcom, Sr. Director, Talent Acquisition
I feel very blessed that I am in a position to help others. I am going to make a donation to the Valley of the Sun United Way. My donation will be doubled by Freedom, making an even greater impact. – Loretta O’Donnell, Sr. Recruiter
This year I will be financially supporting the World Central Kitchen which provides over 250,000 fresh meals each day to those without consistent access to food. If you happen to be tight on money this year, but still want to help your community, consider donating anything you no longer need like kitchen items, books, clothes, or furniture. – Jordan Figueroa, Client Services Coach
But giving to others doesn’t have to cost a thing
Share a smile! They are free, yet priceless. – Leonetha Ward, Client Advocate
Call a friend or family member to tell them you were thinking of them and why you are grateful for them! During such a busy season, sometimes the most valuable gift you can give is your time. – Lauren Moore, Client Services Supervisor
In these trying times, I’ll be writing personalized Christmas cards to my friends and family to show that I’m thinking of them. Remember how precious time is and to always care for those around you. – Andrew Liam, Recruiter
During these tough times, reach out to those friends and family that do not have anyone who lives close to them. You can contact loved ones on Zoom or FaceTime so you can see and talk to each other. Even though we cannot spend time together in the same place, it is still so important to help people feel a sense of togetherness. – Danielle Sharpley-Willis, Supervisor, Client Experience
How are you giving back?
Are you fortunate enough to be able to give your money or your time to those in need? Celebrating the season of giving is even more rewarding and fun if you are able to spread warmth and cheer to those who need it even a little more than you do. From the Freedom Family to yours, may your holidays be merry, bright and safe, this year.
Watch our team talk about how they will give back right here.
Learn More:
Stay Debt Free this Holiday Season (Freedom Debt Relief)
Ways to Give to Charity (Charity Navigator)
13 Ways to Give to Charity Without Breaking Your Budget (USAToday)
Air Force Aid Society (AFAS)
Debt relief stats and trends
We looked at a sample of data from Freedom Debt Relief of people seeking a debt relief program during June 2025. The data uncovers various trends and statistics about people seeking debt help.
Credit card tradelines and debt relief
Ever wondered how many credit card accounts people have before seeking debt relief?
In June 2025, people seeking debt relief had some interesting trends in their credit card tradelines:
The average number of open tradelines was 14.
The average number of total tradelines was 24.
The average number of credit card tradelines was 7.
The average balance of credit card tradelines was $15,142.
Having many credit card accounts can complicate financial management. Especially when balances are high. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the number of credit cards and the debt on them, know that you’re not alone. Seeking help can simplify your finances and put you on the path to recovery.
Credit card debt - average debt by selected states.
According to the 2023 Federal Reserve Survey of Consumer Finances (SCF) the average credit card debt for those with a balance was $6,021. The percentage of families with credit card debt was 45%. (Note: It used 2022 data).
Unsurprisingly, the level of credit card debt among those seeking debt relief was much higher. According to June 2025 data, 88% of the debt relief seekers had a credit card balance. The average credit card balance was $16,425.
Here's a quick look at the top five states based on average credit card balance.
| State | Average credit card balance | Average # of open credit card tradelines | Average credit limit | Average Credit Utilization |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio | $15,683 | 7 | $24,102 | 84% |
| District of Columbia | $17,396 | 9 | $28,791 | 82% |
| Alaska | $20,496 | 9 | $27,261 | 80% |
| Oklahoma | $15,035 | 8 | $25,731 | 78% |
| Indiana | $14,039 | 8 | $26,156 | 78% |
The statistics are based on all debt relief seekers with a credit card balance over $0.
Are you starting to navigate your finances? Or planning for your retirement? These insights can help you make informed choices. They can help you work toward financial stability and security.
Manage Your Finances Better
Understanding your debt situation is crucial. It could be high credit use, many tradelines, or a low FICO score. The right debt relief can help you manage your money. Begin your journey to financial stability by taking the first step.
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Author Information
Written by
Tanya Sotos
Tanya R. Sotos is an attorney, legal blogger, and Senior Content Manager for Freedom Debt Relief. With over ten years of online writing experience, she still works every day to understand the best way to educate and entertain an online reader.
