Category: Get Involved

summer volunteers

Get Involved in Your Community This Summer

During the winter months, we are strongly encouraged to get involved in our community and participate in the “season of giving”, however, community involvement is welcomed and needed year round. Although there are a number of summer volunteer abroad programs, there are plenty of opportunities close to home. Whether you have a teenager who needs something to do this summer or you find that you have a little extra time on your hands, the summer season is the perfect time to volunteer and help out others in your community. Want to get started? Here are some ideas:

Garage Sales & Lemonade Stands

 

Summer wouldn’t be the same without a garage sale or a lemonade stand. Not only is it a great way to clean out the house and garage, but your proceeds (or a portion of them) can go to a charity of your choice. Want to boost your sales? Make a some signs that state where the proceeds will go (ie. local animal shelter, food shelf), you may find that many of your shoppers are eager to support you and even offer a monetary donation.

 

Don’t forget to get the kids involved, too. Kids love having lemonade stands, but rather than making it a strictly money making opportunity for them, let them pick a charity of their choice to donate a portion of their proceeds. For example, if your child loves animals, encourage him or her to use money to buy dog and cat food for the local animal shelter.

Get Outdoors

 

Once summer arrives, it’s likely that you’ll want to spend most of your time outdoors. While you’re enjoying the great outdoors, take the opportunity to help out around your community by picking up trash while you’re on a walk, help an elderly or disabled neighbor with yard work, volunteer to pull weeds at a community garden, or beautify your neighborhood with some potted flowers or an inspirational message written in chalk on the sidewalk in front of your house.

Giving Back to the Community

 

During the summertime, there are numerous events happening throughout your community that raise funds or awareness for various organizations. Whether you attend or volunteer at an event, you are giving back to your community. Ways to help out includes, but is not limited to, attending or volunteering at a blood drive, volunteering at sporting events (such as Special Olympics), or join the planning committee for a community event such as a marathon or wellness fair.

 

Ways for Your Teen to Get Involved

 

For many teens, summer is an “idle” time, leaving many parents frustrated. Rather than making your summer vacation a battle between you and your teen, encourage your son or daughter to get involved in the community. Whether he or she chooses to get an internship or joins you when you volunteer, not only will it fill the “boring” hours of the day, but it’s a great way to make connections in the community and it is important information to add to a college application.

support

How To Get Involved and Raise Awareness About Cancer

During an individual’s lifetime, there’s a great chance that he or she will be affected by cancer, either being diagnosed with or knowing someone who has. According to the latest facts and figures from the American Cancer Society, there are an estimated 1,658,370 new cancer cases diagnosed and 589,430 cancer deaths throughout the U.S. in 2015. Although cancer research has made promising strides, there’s still no cure for cancer and raising awareness about all types of cancers remains as important as before.

 

Whether you are a cancer survivor, lost someone close to you to cancer, or just want to help educate others about cancer, there are ways to get involved:

Why Cancer Awareness is Important

 

Although many of us may be surrounded by cancer and are very aware of how it affects others, surprisingly, some individuals aren’t as educated or aware. For instance, while you may know about prevention of certain cancers and early detection or what signs to look for, others may not take action about their health until they’ve received a delayed cancer diagnosis; that’s one of the many reasons why education and awareness is important. Simply put, cancer awareness can help save lives and may increase the rate of survival.

Raise Awareness, Get Involved

 

While educating and raising awareness within your own circle of family and friends can help the ones you love, your involvement can make a greater impact. Here are few ideas to raise awareness and show your support:

 

 

  • Hashtag it Up on World Cancer Day: Love or loathe the infamous hashtag, but it can be used for good. Consider #worldcancerday or #notbeyondus on Facebook and Twitter to show your support and share your story. On World Cancer Day (February 4, 2016) you can show your solidarity by changing your favorite social media profile picture to the official World Cancer Day Cover. March is also Kidney Cancer Awareness Month so be sure to share your stories and utilize those hashtags.

 

 

 

  • Donate or Host an Event: If your life has become completely transformed due to Breast Cancer, you may be inspired and motivated to donate to Breast cancer research. You can donate to a foundation of your choice or you can host an event such as a concert, fashion show, dinner, or even a bake sale with all proceeds going to a cancer research.

 

 

  • “Battle of the Bald”: If you’re a college student, get involved in the “Battle of the Bald”, by shaving your head to show your support and raise awareness for childhood cancers. Have a friendly competition with other colleges across the country and raise money for cancer research. Don’t attend college? You can always donate.

 

 

  • Cancer Run Walk: You can get involved with cancer awareness by getting active. By participating in a cancer run/walk (there are probably several to choose from in your area), you are raising funds that will go to cancer research.

 

 

  • Lend a Helping Hand: If you want to help, but don’t have funds for financial support, offer a helping hand to family or friends who are struggling with cancer. Create a benefit, cook meals, babysit children, or offer to drive them to appointments.

 

Care Packages for the Homeless

As the holidays roll around, many of us are inspired to give more than any other time of the year, especially when considering care packages for the homeless. A group of individuals that benefit from giving year round is the homeless population. Homelessness can happen at any time and maybe you have experienced it yourself. Homelessness affects men, women, and children. It affects the young, the old, the healthy, the unwell. Not every homeless individual has a drug and alcohol problem or a mental health issue. Never judge someone who doesn’t have a home, try to understand their stories.

 

According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, there are over 500,000 people experiencing homelessness on any given night across the U.S. and approximately 15% of the homeless population are considered “chronically homeless” while about 9% of the homeless population are veterans.

 

Homelessness is a huge issue in the United States and many people want to help, but don’t know what to do. Creating and distributing care packages are a great way to offer a helping hand to an individual who doesn’t have a permanent residence. There are many checklists for care packages on the internet, but it’s always a good idea to make packages that are useful. While all care packages are well-intentioned, some items are better than others.

Suggestions for Care Packages

 

When you create a care package, think about the essentials and what will be long lasting and most portable.

 

  • Socks: Many homeless individuals, without a car, spend a great amount of time walking to and from appointments. A fresh pair of socks can do wonders on tired feet. Band-aids or blister pads are also helpful.

 

  • Food: While some individuals have the opportunity for at least one hot meal from a meal center, many need high protein, quick and easy snacks to eat throughout the day. Steer clear of sticky, hard, or overly sweet foods (like candy) that can put strain on teeth. For many, regular dental care is not an option. Applesauce, pudding, trail mix, beef jerky, and instant soup cups are a better idea.

 

  • Toiletries: While a bar of soap can go a long way, it can ruin a bag full of food. If an individual has a chance to shower, it’s highly likely that soap is already available. A better option would be baby or cleansing wipes. Other helpful toiletries include a toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, a comb, unscented lotion. Avoid mouthwash, hand sanitizer, or any products that contain alcohol.

 

Some Extras

 

You may tempted to give money, but it’s difficult to know how helpful it will really be. Instead, offer a gift card to a coffeeshop or a sandwich shop. Travel mugs, hand/foot warmers, and extra cold weather clothing could also be helpful.

 

When you distribute your care package, take the time to talk to the individual, learn his or her story. Many homeless individuals are not “beggars”. While your contribution will most likely be appreciated, keep in mind that it is also difficult to accept help. Have a nice simple conversation with your recipient, you may find that you have a lot in common.

Participate in the “Season of Giving”

When the winter holidays roll around, we are asked to “give” and to celebrate the season of giving. We already know it’s beneficial to be charitable, but for millions of Americans, being a philanthropist is not always possible due to their own financial limitations and hard times. Fortunately, there are ways to give and make a difference without spending money. The season of giving is not about the amount of money you contribute, but rather the efforts you make to show you care, that you think of others, and you are trying to make a difference in a sometimes unjust world.

 

Feeling Good in a Season of Obligations

 

Although the “Season of Giving” is meant to be a time of doing good and thinking of others, it has also become another reason to participate in mass consumerism. Unfortunately, a good deed or a  thoughtful gesture has been replaced by a gift card or a material item that may or may not be needed or appreciated. It’s easy to feel pressured and obligated to give during the holidays, even if we can’t afford to or feel like one more material item won’t make a difference in the world.

 

If your family has a tradition of gift giving, suggest putting a limit on of gifts or request that they give towards a charity of your choosing rather than giving you one more kitchen gadget or household item you appreciate, but don’t need in your life. If your family is against straying from tradition, you can still do your part on your own time. Volunteerism is a great way to feel good year round, but particularly in a season of “obligations”. No one expects you to help and they are often grateful of any time you can dedicate.

Teach Children to About Gratitude

 

As grown-ups, most of us realize that materialism can be unnecessary and it’s easier for many of us to ask for nothing. However, children are still at the stage in their lives where toys, books, and other “wants” are important to them. As a parent or relative of a child, it may be difficult to meet all of the requests on a child’s wish list. Some good advice is to choose a few items that will foster a child’s interest, creativity, and growth. Encourage your child to choose an item from a store or even from his or her own toy collection to donate to a child in need. Teaching your child about gratitude and not giving into every want will help him or her grow up to be a more compassionate person; teaching your child to be a better person costs nothing.

Start Giving Early

Remember, you don’t need money to make a difference, but if you feel like you can’t make a real difference without donating money to a cause, start planning early so you don’t feel overwhelmed once the holidays roll around.  For instance, start a small jar of spare change. Once it’s full, donate the amount to a charity of your choice. If you plan on helping out at the local food shelf or serving meals at a homeless shelter, sign up as soon as you can as spots may fill, but there’s a good chance that there will be something to do, wherever you decide to participate in the season of giving.

 

Community Involvement – It Can Benefit Your Health!

Community service can give you the pride and satisfaction of helping others. It can help strengthen your community and your family. Most people understand the importance of giving back to the community and taking an active role in improving conditions in the world we live in. We know that volunteering is a good thing, but did you also know that it can be good for your health?

The Corporation for National & Community Service (CNCS) reports that a growing body of research over the past two decades indicates that volunteering produces health benefits as well as social benefits for the individuals involved. According to CNCS, findings presented in its report entitled The Health Benefits of Volunteering: A Review of Recent Research indicate that volunteers have higher functionality, less depression, and lower mortality rates later in life than those who have not volunteered.

Mental Health Benefits of Community Involvement

As discussed in the CNCS report, the evidence suggests that community service can have a positive effect on social psychological factors. It can provide meaning and purpose in life. Focusing on something other than oneself can alleviate stress. Volunteer work strengthens social ties and protects people from isolation. Helping others also produces a greater sense of self-worth and trust, according to the report. As stated in a Harvard Medical School publication, volunteering helps people feel more socially connected and wards off loneliness and depression.

Physical Health Benefits of Volunteering

The Harvard Medical School article also states that growing evidence indicates a correlation between volunteering and better physical health. According to the article, a recently published Carnegie Mellon University study found that adults over 50 who regularly volunteer their time to help others are less likely to develop high blood pressure, a major contributing factor to stroke, heart disease, and premature death.

CNCS researchers found that people who engage in volunteer activities are less likely to have health problems later in life. Even after factoring in age, gender, and health, the CNCS study determined that individuals who volunteer have a greater chance of living longer.

Rush University Medical Center reports that, according to recent research, people who had chronic pain experienced less pain and disability after beginning volunteer work with others suffering chronic pain. Researchers also found that people who volunteered after suffering heart attacks experienced less depression and despair, factors that increase the likelihood of death in heart attack patients.

However, as reported by Rush, there are limits to how much health benefit is available to an individual through volunteering. Researchers have identified a threshold of one or two hours a week, beyond which no health benefits have been established.

The Positive Effects of Charity

Charity has many positive effects, and not just on the charity. Whether you are able to donate goods, materials and money or by volunteering your time, giving can be as beneficial for you as for the recipient of your time and charitable donations. As Mahatma Gandhi once said, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”

Reduces Stress

Being stressed out or anxious can put a lot of physical and emotional strain on a person’s body. Stress has been known to lead to serious health problems as well. When a person focuses his or her attention outward and onto someone else, it can help alleviate the personal stress or anxiety that person may be feeling. Lowered stress levels can then lead to improved health. Charity can create a little good karma that can go a very long way.

Improve Health and Increases Longevity

When an individual does not take the time to do charitable actions for others, he or she faces a 30 percent greater risk of death following a stressful life event than someone who helps others, according to a study featured in Prevention. Putting another person’s needs ahead of your own can eliminate stressors which will often lead to decreased health and shortened life span. Being charitable can help improve your mood, make you feel more optimistic and bring you joy. When your emotional state improves, it can help strengthen your immune systems and improve your physical state too.

It doesn’t have to be a lot. Sometimes it is the little things that make all the difference, like offering to be a designated driver, making dinner for a sick friend, reading to someone at a senior center, donating to a local shelter, volunteering to take someone to the doctor, or picking up a friend’s kids from school when he or she can’t make it.

Volunteering Can Improve the Balance Between Work and Life

Although you probably won’t consider giving up some of your valuable time to volunteer as a way to get more free time, a study referenced in the Huffington Post says volunteering can do just that. According to this University of Zurich study, workers who also volunteer their time feel as if their lives have more of a balance. When you volunteer, you feel productive and you get a sense of accomplishment. Volunteering can also lead to other activities not associated with work, which in turn can help balance the time and attention spend on work.

Brings People With Common Goals Together

Another positive effect of charity is it brings people with common goals together. People from all different backgrounds can volunteer. Many volunteers opt to join up with an already established organizations, groups or team, where they can build camaraderie and get much more accomplished. These groups can do so much when pooling their resources.

Aids Personal Growth

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you, that’s the “Golden Rule.” When you volunteer to help others and give the best of yourself, it can aid in your own personal growth as well. When a person understands someone else’s needs and the importance of community and giving, it helps to build empathy and improve self-esteem. Being able to give back or pay it forward can provide a sense of self-worth and happiness otherwise unattainable.