Fill a backpack and bring about a smile.
Giving back to your community can be as simple as putting a smile on someone's face or making a tail wag. Do so with an organization or fly solo. Pick a cause that is important to you and find a way to meet a need. Determine whether the need is ongoing or can be met in one to two hours of your time. Then decide how much of your personal time you can allot.
Visit the Elderly
Make an elderly person's day by visiting residents at a nursing home or assisted living facility. Speak with an activities director to arrange a visit in advance and get names of residents you may meet. If you plan to bring children, encourage them to make cards for the residents. Bring small gifts, perform music and share funny stories.
Walk a Dog
Help your local animal shelter by walking dogs. Even if you can't take that cuddly puppy home with you, make him happy with a little outside time. Call your local animal shelter to confirm times that you can volunteer. If walking a dog is not possible for health reasons, ask about other ways you can help. Perhaps there are animals that would simply love to be held.
Fill Backpacks
Gather your friends and family to fill backpacks with school supplies for children who would otherwise be without. "Having their own supplies builds their self-esteem and it helps to free up family resources that can be spent on other necessary items like food, medicine and utilities," according to Worldvision.org. The organization eases the process by shipping you instructions, supplies and distribution information. The cost per filled backpack is $22, as of 2011, and the program asks for a minimum order of 50 backpacks.
Give Blood
Donate blood. The process is simple and the results crucial. At the American Red Cross, you can expect to be registered, receive a mini-physical, donate and be given a refreshment. Before you arrive, check age and health requirements, have a light meal, bring two forms of identification and the names of medications you are taking, suggests the American Red Cross. You will leave knowing you made a world of a difference.
Tags: American Cross, animal shelter, local animal, local animal shelter, your local, your local animal