Play Santa to hopeful children by donating gifts to Toys for Tots (Mike Bryan / Flickr Creative Commons).

This month, Neon Tommy is officially challenging you to practice random acts of kindness. This week, we ask you to focus on giving back to those less fortunate than ourselves. 

ALSO SEE: 31 Days Of Giving: Week One

Reports have proven the old saying, “it’s better to give than to receive” to be true. Studies have shown a correlation between giving back and an increase in self-esteem and health.

According to researchers, volunteering can give off a high -- akin to runner's high -- that stimulates the release of endorphins. As we all know, endorphins make you happy, which in turn leads to an improvement in immune and nervous system functions. 

According to nurses at Kaiser Permanente, volunteering can even help fight depression. One Kaiser Permanente nurse said, “giving back seems to give people a sense of control over their lives, which in turn helps them overcome whatever obstacles they are facing.”

ALSO SEE: Nice People Are Happy People

That said, here is your mission for the second week of December: 

Sunday: Serve food to the homeless. Seven percent of Los Angeles’ population is homeless, and many are cold and starving this time of year. It’s only getting colder, so today you can give back by volunteering and warming someone up with a hot meal and a cup of joe.

Monday: Donate your hair to Locks of Love. Locks of Love is a non-profit organization that uses donated hair to create hairpieces for those under the age of 21 facing long-term medical hair loss. If you’re looking for a new hairstyle for the new year, why not go short and donate your hair to someone in need?

Tuesday: Donate toys to Toys for Tots. Toys for Tots is a non-profit organization that collects new and unwrapped toys at the end of each year. These toys are distributed as Christmas gifts to less fortunate children who otherwise wouldn't see many presents under the tree. Many of us tend to go crazy on Black Friday and buy things we probably don't need, or you may accidentally purchase too many gifts in the madness that is last-minute Christmas shopping. If you find that you have an extra gift or two, donate it to Toys for Tots and play Santa for some eager children.

Wednesday: Donate your old clothes. Clean out your closet and donate your old or unused clothes to someone in need. It's cold out there, so anything warm like a coat or jacket you no longer wear will go a long way. Plus, for all you shoppers out there, donating heaps of clothes gives you an excuse to refresh your wardrobe ---it's a win-win situation.

Thursday: Help somebody park. At this time of the month, the streets are flooded with shoppers. Though they technically aren't less fortunate than we are, they're in a pretty unfortunate and frustrating situation. Pick someone out of the sea of cars and help them get your spot, or if you see someone struggling to get into a tiny space, help them parallel park. Who in Los Angeles wouldn't appreciate that?

Friday: Buy someone a meal. In Los Angeles County, about 57,000 people experience homelessness every night. Many of them have no idea when their next meal, or morsel, will be. It doesn’t have to be extravagent; anything at all makes a difference. If you’re grabbing McDonald's, buy an extra burger and drink off the dollar menu -- you're sure to encounter someone just around the corner who could use it.

Saturday: Visit a nursing home. It is estimated that at least 25 to 40 percent of people living in nursing homes do not receive visitors. A great way to spread holiday cheer is to visit a nursing home and keep company with those who have nobody. Bring a game of dominoes and play a round or two, or maybe make a homemade Christmas card with some gingerbread cookies. The smiles on their faces will leave you beaming.

Reach Staff Reporter Janelle Cabuco here.