Most of us know that charity is its own reward. The true wealth of charity is measured by good deeds not ego and material gain. As humans we yearn to make a difference. Most of us know how helping better others’ lives has positive impacts on our own. This action makes us happier, more balanced, and instills a greater sense of purpose in our everyday. It can be easy to get buried in the daily grind of life, and miss the benefits to ourselves and our communities that getting involved can provide.
A community feels more alive when people who live there love it enough to help improve it. Helping your community makes life better for your friends, family and other people who live where you live. If you look around and see that your community has a lot of problems, there's no better time to start fixing them than right now. The more love you pour in, the better it will get. Have a look below at suggestions for how to make a difference now.
1.
Adopt a
Neighbor-You don’t have to go far or orchestrate grand gestures to
make an impact on someone’s life. Whether the older man from down the street
who lives alone, or the young mother (of toddlers) on the corner, there are
folks in your neighborhood who could use a hand. Maybe you help shovel after a
big storm, take them to the grocery store, or mow the lawn. It might not even
matter what you do as long as you show you care.
2.
Attend
Community Meetings-Community meetings are a great place
to meet people from your neighborhood while developing a deeper familiarity
with that community. It’s a great way to build feelings of belonging and
ownership of the place you call home. Maybe you’ll discover a passion for local
politics or activism along the way.
3.
Become
a Mentor-Become a mentor to someone who would benefit from your
skills, knowledge, and experience. Maybe there’s someone in your social circles
or profession you would like to help along the way. If not organizations like Big Brothers and Big Sisters, or Trudeau Foundation are there to help you connect you with folks in your area
who could use a helping hand.
4.
Donate Blood-With
one donation you can save many lives, yet just one patient could require
multiple donors. For heart surgery it’s up to five people. Leukemia treatments
require as many as eight donors a week. Emergency care for a car accident can
use up to 50. Every donation makes a difference in someone’s life, and what
greater gift could you give?
5.
Help Build an Affordable
Home-Habitat for Humanity is
an organization that, with the help of volunteers, builds of safe and
affordable housing in more than 70 countries around the world. Houses are
built, or renovated, over a number of weeks. Not only can you choose the kind
of project you work on, but you work alongside the family who will live in the
house at the end of the build.
6.
Join a
Community Garden-Not only do community gardens beautify the community. They
often provide produce and other goods to local neighborhoods often underserved
areas. There’s always lots of work to be done to get to harvest. You won’t just
be growing fruit and vegetables, but friendships and community along the way.
7.
Organize a
Charitable Event-Find a cause you’re passionate about and organize on its
behalf. Maybe you raise money for a senior’s program, or collect food donations
for a community pantry. If you want to help, reach out to the organization
you‘d like to help. They likely have suggestions on hand to pick from, or
inspire your own.
8.
Organize a
Clean Up-All you need to hold a successful clean up is a big box of
garbage bags, a bigger box of recycling bags, a substantial supply of rubber
gloves, a group of friends or volunteers, and a location that needs some love.
These days most public parks, beaches, and neighborhood streets are in need of
a little help, and sometimes folks just need a little inspiration to encourage
them to help out. Lead the way, and see what follows.
9.
Shop Local-Shopping
local invests in your community. Spending money locally supports the local economy
and your neighbors by keeping money in your neighborhood, where it can be
reinvested again through other shops and services. It’s a cycle that keeps on
giving.
10.
Volunteer-Volunteering is also a great way to boost self-esteem and may help
you discover talents you never knew existed within you. Volunteering
energy and skills to a local organization is a great way to give back to your
community. Whether a hospital, food bank, youth group, senior’s home, or animal
shelter there are many local organizations that would benefit from your time. A
quick search online will help find local opportunities. Contact organizations
you’re interested in helping out to be put in touch with their local team.
"I
am of the opinion that my life belongs to the whole community, and as long as I
live it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can. I want to be thoroughly
used up when I die for the harder I work the more I live."
(George Bernard Shaw)[i]
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