You already know that you must give in order to receive but not making that your primary focus in life. Have you ever given back to your community? Need a “boost” in taking that next step in giving back to your community? I stumbled onto this website that gives you tips on how YOU can give back. This is a good tool for your family and friends who are looking to make the community cleaner, safer, and more efficient. Take a look: www.whatisproject100.com
Donate clothing. Are your clothes too tight, too loose, tags still on something you never wore? Give it away. You can stop by your local Salvation Army or Goodwill store, and many communities have drop-off boxes where you can leave your donated goods.
Donate books. If you have books that have not been read in over a year, chances are you are not going to ever read them again. Give them away! Donate your used books to libraries, schools, or shelters so someone else can enjoy them like you once did.
Offer your skills. Consider offering your skills rather than goods. Help an elderly neighbor with household fixes, offer to repaint a community playground, rake leaves or mow the lawn of a neighbor who is unable to do it. Often these skills are needed just as much, if not more than money or goods.
Give to a local food bank. You can donate a few of the canned goods you currently have in your pantry. With the recent economic crisis, food banks aren’t being given as much from donors and more people are needing to be served. Contact your local food bank today to find out how you can donate or visit www.feedingamerica.org.
Volunteer at a church. Offer to help with the day care, cleaning the church, bringing fresh flowers for the services, or offer to do office work at the church administration office.
Help a school in your community. Offer to help distribute school lunches, check or grade papers for teachers, help during recess, or manage school activity functions.
Visit a nursing home. Take some of your free time and visit a nursing home. Read a book with an elderly person, talk about topics in the news, play cards and bring a little joy into both of your lives. You will probably come out with a new friend!
Clean up your community. Participate in a local environmental clean-up day or start your own with family and friends. Go to your local parks, beaches, or hiking trails and pick up litter.
Send Holiday mail for Heroes. During the holiday season you can send a card to a U.S. soldier through the partnership between American Red Cross and Pitney Bowes.
Adopt a U.S. Soldier. Send a care package to your adopted solider. Interested individuals can sign up at www.adoptUSsoldier.org or www.anysoldier.com. Soldiers request simple items that can be bought and shipped at low cost.
Give to Toys for Tots. Donate a brand new toy to your local Toys for Tots to help bring joy to a child in need. Contact your local Toys for Tots to learn how you can donate.
Donate to Charity. Give a few dollars to your favorite charity. Volunteer. Get matched for volunteer activities in your community at www.volunteermatch.org or check out the Project 100 Volunteer list for many well-known organizations.
