We firmly believe that getting involved in your community is good for the mind and the body, not to mention the positive effects it has on those around you. But, typically, the hardest part is figuring out where and how to start because it can all be a little overwhelming. To help you out, we’ve created a list of ways you can get involved in your community!
Organize a Community Cleanup
Organizing a trash cleanup is a great way to get involved in your community. All you need is gloves, trash bags, and a few volunteers. The more help you have, the more ground you can cover. The cool thing about taking the initiative is that you’re leading by example! Keep in mind: If you are organizing a larger group event, be sure to get approval from your local neighborhood board or city council. They’ll likely appreciate your offer to help, but there may be some red tape to cut through to get the go-ahead.
Attend Local Events
Check out local Facebook pages or newspapers and see what’s happening in your area. Then, find an event that sounds interesting, and go. You’ll not only be supporting a local business, organization, or artist, but you’ll also get to meet like-minded people.
Shop Local
Skip the big-box stores and start shopping local! By stimulating your neighborhood’s economy, you’re helping your community grow! And be sure to take the time to meet local business owners as you shop. They may have some community initiatives in the works that you could get involved with.
Donate, Donate, Donate
Donations don’t have to be monetary. For example, if you have clothes you don’t wear anymore or household items you could do without, consider donating them to a local nonprofit thrift store. You can also donate food to local food banks and blessing boxes, books to your local library, and food, treats, toys, and cleaning supplies to local animal shelters.
Fight the Good Fight
A lot of communities host special events benefiting local charities. So if there’s a cause that’s important to you, research how you can get involved with planning the event or attend the event in support!
Take a Class
We’re willing to bet that there is a lot of talent in your community, and those talented people often give back by offering classes in their craft. Whether it’s cooking, art, writing, or something else, these classes allow you to support your local makers while learning something new.
Love on Furry Friends
Unfortunately, you can’t adopt every animal that needs a home, but you can help them out in other ways, like volunteering at your local animal shelter or shopping their Amazon Wishlist to ensure they have the supplies they need.
Respect Your Elders
Helping out the elderly in your community can be incredibly rewarding. Consider volunteering at a local nursing home by playing board games and chatting with residents. If you love to bake or paint, you can offer to teach an activities class. Other ways to volunteer include delivering hot meals and offering transportation services.
Become a Big Sister or Brother
No matter where you live, you can’t go wrong when it comes to investing in young people. Reach out to your local Big Brothers Big Sisters (or a similar organization) to find out how you can get involved.
What are some ways that you have gotten involved in your community? Share your experiences with us in the comments below!