Year-end holidays mean an influx of goodwill, but for too many, "goodwill" amounts to little more than opening a checkbook, dashing off a few dollars and getting right back to one's self-absorbed life. That's not to say that monetary donations aren't appreciated; most nonprofits in the city will take as much funding as they can get. But we bet you'd find rolling up your sleeves and diving into hands-on volunteer work far more rewarding -- and fun. Here are a few ways you can get involved this winter.

How You Can Help: Usher at Gay Bingo.
When/Where: Sat., Nov. 12, Sat., Dec. 10 and Sat., Jan. 21; Gershman Y, Broad and Pine sts.
Who It Helps: Gay Bingo benefits the Philadelphia AIDS Fund and, by extension, a plethora of HIV/AIDS service organizations in the Delaware Valley.
What You'll Be Doing: The long-standing monthly event combines thematic theatrical pageantry (December is Murder Mystery month) with, well, bingo. If you're not seating people, you'll sell tickets, distribute cards and watch the spectacle, which is about as far from old ladies in a church basement as you can get.
Goodwill Guide: Megan Primavera, 215-731-9255.

How You Can Help: Read newspapers for the blind.
When/Where: Times and dates vary; Associated Services for the Blind, 919 Walnut St.
Who It Helps: The organization, with roots stretching back 131 years, helps the visually impaired population of Philadelphia and throughout the area.
What You'll Be Doing: The center's most popular post involves reading daily newspaper stories over the ASB radio station. Neighborhood newsletters and periodicals are also recorded, but there may be a waiting list. If that's the case, you can try translating children's books into braille.
Goodwill Guide: Linda Gaffney, 215-627-0600.

How You Can Help: Package books for prisoners.
When/Where: Every Tue., 7:30-10:30 p.m.; every first and third Sat., 11 a.m.-3 p.m.; Books Through Bars, 4722 Baltimore Ave.
Who It Helps: This West Philly group works to break the cycle of crime and combat the dehumanization of the prison system by providing inmates with reading and educational materials.
What You'll Be Doing: Sorting through donated paperbacks, textbooks and magazines, packaging them and delivering them to the Philadelphia Prison System. The packages are sent to prisons and halfway houses in the city, although some more ambitious sites have begun developing full-on prison libraries.
Goodwill Guide: Nicole Meyenberg, 215-727-8170.

How You Can Help: Recreate with hospitalized children.
When/Where: Times vary; Shriners Hospital, 3551 N. Broad St.
Who It Helps: Shriners' patients are mostly children and teens (up to age 21) with spinal chord injuries, cerebral palsy and other orthopedic problems.
What You'll Be Doing: The hospital specializes in post-surgery rehabilitation and much of its volunteer crew -- usually 40 to 50 strong -- assists staff in recreational therapy. It might involve playing pingpong with a patient who is just regaining use of their hands, or simply reading books with them. It sounds playful, but at the same time is a very serious way of helping the children readjust to daily life.
Goodwill Guide: Nick Masciantonio, 215-430-4178.

How You Can Help: Teach at a shelter.
When/Where: Evenings and weekends; Salvation Army Eliza Shirley House, 1320 Arch St.
Who It Helps:This Center City shelter focuses on mothers, children and couples, providing temporary housing and social services.
What You'll Be Doing: Eliza Shirley House is looking to enhance its afterschool educational programs; volunteers can tutor children in addition to helping parents who might be working on their GEDs. The shelter's library is in constant need of upkeep, and help is always needed in the kitchen or clothes sorting room.
Goodwill Guide:Earnie Thomas, 215-568-5113.