When I was in college, my friend
Kindee started a school in Africa {Yep, just like Oprah}. I'll always remember how my my heart expanded 500 times when she showed me her pictures and told me about her experience. She inspired everyone around her to
MAKE A DIFFERENCE in the world. My life changed because she shared this experience with me.
Now, as a mother, I want more than almost anything to teach my children to give, serve, and love others {AND NOT just at Christmas time}. I want to be more involved personally in improving the world--even in some small way.
My heart goes out to the people in Oklahoma who are now homeless or who have lost loved ones in the tornado this week. I wish I could be there to help.
We can't all go to Africa, or relieve suffering in every tragedy or disaster. However, we all can do a little something to serve others and make the world a better place.
I love Jo from "Little Women"... she said,
Even though we may not know what "splendid" things we'll do, here are some ideas to get your family inspired to make a difference in the world-- big or small.
Remember, when all is said and done, the small things are REALLY the big things.
1. FIRST: brainstorm needs in your own family, extended family, among your friends, neighborhood, community, state, and throughout the world....
Hunger, education, safety, disabilities, improving health,
sickness, disease, elderly, homelessness, poverty, prematurity, animals,
loneliness, death, depression, birth, those who are overwhelmed, the
environment, victims of natural disasters or accidents, violence, abuse,
unemployment, soldiers and veterans, refugees, orphans
2. NEXT: Brainstorm places and organizations in need of help... here are some local ideas:
Nursing homes
Assisted Living Centers
Hospitals
Newborn Intensive Care Units
Parks
Homeless Shelters
Shelters for battered women
Animal shelters
Schools
Food Banks
Foster care children
Indian reservations
Prisons
Libraries
Museums
Public pools and facilities
Churches
Rehabilitation centers
Blood banks
The Ronald McDonald House
United Way
Community Gardens
Salvation Army
Justice centers
Youth centers
Soup Kitchens
Pantries
Here are some global organizations that need help and donations:
3. THEN: Figure out what you feel strongly about, and what you have to offer. What talents do you have that you could use to benefit others-- musical, medical, artistic, crafty, creative, technical, or many others? How much money are you willing to give or earn to help?
4. MAKE A PLAN:
Unless your service is anonymous, make sure to get in touch with the facility or people you are planning to help. Propose your plan, and ask if they need the service you are planning. {All your work could be in vain if they don't need it}. However, many people will say no when they really need help- use your judgement, obviously.
5. Carry out the plan:
Here are some Ideas... {I originally was going to post 75 ideas, but I just kept finding more. There are millions of ways to serve...}
1. Donate blood
2. Make lunch bags for a soup kitchen
3. Create artwork for those in nursing homes or assisted living centers
4. Play games with people in nursing homes
5. Visit people in nursing homes
6. "Adopt" a grandparent
7. Help a senior citizen in your neighborhood with their "to do" list
8. Bring flowers to widows in your neighborhood.
9. Visit your own grandparents.
10. Write a letter to your grandparents... or draw a picture.
11. Collect shoes for homeless children
12. Collect coats for homeless or poverty stricken children
13. Collect stuffed animals for displaced children
14. Assemble "home in a bag" kits for displaced people
15. Sing or play instruments at nursing homes
16. Ask local "senior center" what needs they have, then do what they suggest
17. Donate books to libraries, hospitals, or schools in need
18. Organize a toy drive for kids in hospitals
19. Make "fun kits" or CRAYON BAGS for kids in the hospital
20. Tie fleece blankets for kids and teens in hospitals
21. Make baby quilts for infants in the NICU
22. Make lap quilts for seniors in nursing homes
23. Donate hair to "Locks of Love"
24. Run a race for charity or a cure
25. Have a bake sale and donate to a favorite charity
26. Donate pet food to your local animal shelter
27. Write notes-- compliment friends or family members
28. Write thank you notes-- lots!
29. Plant trees (See THIS article about planting 400,000 trees in Haiti)
30. Make pillow cases for cancer patients. Find out how HERE.
31. Make scarves or pretty hats for those in chemotherapy
32. Put money in the mailbox of a family in your neighborhood who you know could use some help
33. Have a lemonade stand and donate to a favorite cause
34. Set up a recycling station in your home
35. Teach others to recyle
36. Take food to a soup kitchen
37. Collect cans for a food bank
38. Just listen to a senior citizen
39. Make hats for new babies
40. Make surprises for big brother or sister of a new baby- they need some love too!
41. Help someone write their life history
42. Interview a grandparent, and write down their memories
43. Forgive someone, and do something nice for them
44. Pay for the person behind you at a fast food restaurant
45. Make care packages for soldiers or missionaries
46. Take a meal to a someone who is home bound. HERE is a great chicken noodle soup recipe
47. Bring a meal to a family who just had a baby. HERE are 9 quick and easy dinner recipes
48. Take a meal to any overwhelmed mother
49. Make a treat for a family who needs some cheering up
50. Visit an animal shelter and pet the cats and dogs
51. Ask those who work at an animal shelter how you can help animals get adopted
52. Smile at everyone you see
53. Make jewelry and sell it- donate to cure hunger
54. Collect money for hurricane victims
55. Play bingo with senior citizens
56. Collect batteries to recycle (they contain toxins that are harmful to the environment)
57. Read with kids in foster care
58. Ask local DCFS how you can help children in foster care
59. Make dolls or stuffed animals for children who are taken into foster care
60. Make blankets for children in foster care
61. Make quilts for displaced persons
62. Donate teddy bears for firemen or police to take to kids in distress
64. Collect new cosmetics for battered women shelters
65. Have a coin box in your home- fill it, and donate it
66. Make skirts or dresses for little girls in shelters or 3rd world countries
67. Read the Hundred Dresses by Elanor Estes, then collect 100 dresses to donate to girls in need
68. Mail treats and small games to cousins who live far away
69. Do yard work for a family who needs some help
70. Mow lawns for senior citizens and single moms
71. Secretly wash cars of single mothers and senior citizens in your neighborhood
72. Make book marks for patrons of the library (there are LOTS of fun ideas- just search on Pinterest!)
73. Take popsicles to a shelter with children
74. Have a day camp for young children in your neighborhood
75. Teach a skill to younger children
76. Babysit for a busy young mother
77. Weed for someone in your neighborhood {anonymously if possible}
78. Donate toys to charity
79. Donate gently used items to 2nd hand stores
80. Read to younger brothers and sisters
81. Make hair bows for little girls in shelters or justice centers
82. Practice soccer or softball with young kids in your neighborhood
83. Hold a puppet show for kids
84. Teach younger brothers/ sisters/ neighbors a skill
85. Take flowers to someone who needs some cheer
86. Knit hats for people in need
87. Make dolls for shelters-- try these Mini Swaddle Baby Dolls
88. Make jewelry for women's shelter
89. Make a child life doll for small children in hospitals
90. Make hygiene kits for homeless people
91. Pick up litter
92. Take out the neighbor's trash
93. Make a treat for your local Fire Fighters
94. Write a letter to thank your city officers
95. Make a treat and thank you letters for local librarians
96. Take back carts at a grocery store
97. Collect care kits for kids in hospitals or shelters: bubbles, books, chapstick, colored pencils, hair care
98. Make tutus for little girls in shelters
99. Make superhero capes for little boys in shelters or hospitals
100. Have a "bandaid" drive- donate to hosptials or young mothers :)
101. Start a community garden
102. Volunteer in a special Olympics
103. Volunteer at a home for those with severe disabilities
104. Collect money for wheelchairs for those in need of them
105. Collect money for schools for the blind
106. Make a welcome kit for a new family in the neighborhood
107. Make a quote book for a friend having a hard time
108. Plant flowers for a friend who has lost a loved one. HERE is a great container planter tutorial.
109. Learn how to arrange flowers, and take them to someone
110. Make overnight bags for the Ronald McDonald house
111. Make kennel mats for animals in a shelter
112. Make a spa kit for women in shelters
113. Donate backpacks to kids in poverty
114. Donate clothes to refugees
115. Stop negative comments-- change the subject
116. Tutor immigrants
117. Leave generous tips
118. Take a life saving class
119. Cook a meal at a homeless shelter
120. Become a "buddy" for a child at a homeless shelter
121. Make place mats for people at nursing homes, or homes of those with disabilties
122. Paint fences in the community
123. Host a free movie night for the neighborhood
124. Start a neighborhood clean up project
125. Take baskets of fresh fruit and veggies to neigbors
126. Clean up graffiti
127. Hold doors open
128. Make rice hot packs for the elderly or sick
129. Make a get well kit for a sick friends
130. Make paper dolls or paper airplanes for a sick child
131. Make homemade playdough for a sick child
132. Go grocery shopping for a home bound person
133. Share inspirational quotes online
134. Host a magic show for children in the neighborhood
135. Collect Pennies for Peace
136. Repaint lines on a parking lot that needs it in your community
137. Teach a skill to the boyscouts or the girl scouts
138. Make stationary for people in rest homes, and youth centers- to help them keep in touch with family.
139. Take some good books to a sick person
140. Make a new friend
141. Record parents who are in prison reading books- give those to their children
142. Participate in United Stated Indexing
143. Work on your family history
144. Play and have fun with whoever you are with
145. Adopt a national park- donate and help beautify
146. Make bread for neighbors
147. Sew Pillow case dresses for a cause. Read about it HERE.
148. Knit
chemo caps. Find the pattern
HERE.
149. Help clean and pack for a family who is moving
150. Save money and go on a service expedition in another country (see global organizations above)
151. Give pedicures to expectant mothers
152. Join Dress a Girl Around the World
153. Make birthday cards for all your friends and family. Mail them on their birthday.
154. Crochet headbands for Elderly ladies, at risk women, or teens in need
155. Make burp cloths and bibs and donate (Here are 57 free bib patterns)
156. Make fairy wands for little girls in crisis
157. Volunteer at your local zoo or aviary
158.Make tote bags with kids' activities for at-risk children
159. Clean up a hiking trail
160. Make a happy pillow for child in crisis center or hospital
161. Make and donate leprosy bandages
162. Donate and decorate journals for at risk youth or adults
163. Make keepsake envelopes for grieving parents who have lost their newborn.. donate to hospital.
164. Stitch a "pocket heart" to be given to children in crisis
165. Make puppets or finger puppets for underprivileged children.
166. Plan a kickball tournament at a children's home or refugee center
167. Donate board games and card decks to a homeless shelter
168. Donate video games and Disney movies to a children's hospital
169. Collect Books for Africa send to THIS foundation.
170. Organize a "dog wash". Take money earned to local animal shelter
171. Collect sports equipment for the Peace Corps to take to 3rd world countries through IAYS.
172. Participate in KidKnits
173. Paint nails and do hair for residents of a rest home (spa day)
174. Donate to Feed my Starving Children
175. Organize a 5K for charity
176. Hold a fundraising dinner and donate money to hunger causes.
177. Create awareness of global issues (such as the genocide still going on in Darfur).
178. Start a 100 acts of kindness project
179. Help clean up after an earthquake, tornado, or other natural disaster
180. Paint picnic tables at a park
181. Help bring a clean water system to a 3rd world community
182. Collect money to buy eye glasses for children in 3rd world countries.
183. Collect money for immunizations for children in underdeveloped countries
184. Make birthday cards for foster kids or the elderly
185. Leave money in a vending machine
186. Organize a charity auction- or participate in one
187. Host a baby shower or birthday party for charity
188. Make get well cards for people in hospitals
189. Donate dress-up clothes to a daycare
190. Make dress-ups for little kids in your neighborhood..
or a princess play apron :)
191. Help get your town to fix dangerous intersections
191. Organize a bicycle rodeo to help kids learn about bike safety
192. Get permission to fix up your city's fire hydrants
193. Make emergency kits for your home and neighbors' homes
194. Start a campaign against teen suicide
195. Start a neighborhood watch program
196. Organize a self defense workshop
197. Tutor students who are learning English as a second language
198. Organize a story time for young children in your neighborhood
199. Design and
paint a community mural (with permission, of course)
200. Organize a food scavenger hunt to collect food for a food bank
201. Organize a clothing drive for a local shelter
202. Collect art supplies for a child in a homeless shelter or crisis center
203. Make first aid kits for homeless people
204. Collect blankets, sheets, towels, and diapers for a homeless shelter
205. Start a project to create a library at a children's hospital
206. Assist Habitat for Humanity in your community
207. Research local historic sites and give research to visitor's bureau
208. Volunteer to help set up for a community event
209. Plant flowers in some public areas
210. Build park benches
211. Make bird feeders for public places, friends, or even for your own yard
212. Start a butterfly garden
213. Test drinking water in various places for lead. Campaign to clean the water if you find it.
214. Create a children's nature garden. Label plants and trees.
215. Plant a tree to honor and commemorate someone
216. Wash windows for a senior citizen
217. Go walking with a senior citizen in your community
218. Celebrate holidays with people at a rest home {bake, dress up in costumes}
219. Organize a pet show for a local nursing home
220. Adopt a zoo animal
221. Organize a neuter and spay campaign for dogs and cats
222. Donate books to a doctor's office
223. Become a foster family for a pet
224. Collect animal supplies for needy families with pets.
225. Thank the garbage man
226. Write love letters to your closest family members (and not just on Valentine's day)
227. Take ice cream to someone who is going through a difficult time
228. Make a memory quilt for the family who has just lost a loved one (use that person's clothes)
229. Participate in
Project Linus
230. Give a mini vacation to a family who could use it
231. Look for families whose problems may not be obvious, find a way to lighten the load
232. Take or mail thank you gifts to all of your teachers
233. Make and sell
these Soccer Cookies and donate money to
Relay for Life
234.
Host a play date food drive
236. Teach children to finger knit... then go
yarn bombing (it will brighten the area!)
237. Make these
quilted jackets for children in need
238. Using old jeans, make kids' purses. Sell them and donate money
239.
Make bracelets for Hekima girls in Kenya
240.
Participate in virtual baby shower for baby Watoto home in Uganda
Must watch video on this link!!
241. Learn about
Reese's Rainbow {A Down Syndrome Adoption Agency}. Help a family adopt one of
these precious children.
242. Make a
glass tile pendant necklace for cancer or aids patients
243. Mail someone you love
a long distance hug
244. Invite a struggling family to your house for a good dinner
245.
Upcycle old t-shirts by making reusable bags out of them, then use them!
247.
Design monsters with kids, and make them together
248.
Make blessing bags and keep them in your car for people who need them
249. Take art supplies to the family waiting room of labor and delivery unit of the hospital for siblings of
the new baby.
250. Make
Soap Pouches for children, teens, or adults in need
251. Donate baby items or money to
New Hope Foundation in China - for orphans
252. Sponsor a surgery for an orphan through
Show Hope (these surgeries help them become
"more adoptable")
252. Learn about
International China Concern and help... watch
this video!
253. Donate to
ConKerr Caner
254. Participate in the
Red Scarf Project
255. Donate to the
Fire Fighter's Burn Institute
256. Make
sock monkeys for children who need some cheering up
257. Make blankets, hats, mittens, and other warm clothing for children in cold and poor areas
(such as Mongolia or
Romania)
258. Make {adorable}
educational bean bags for children in need
259. Sponsor a child through
Orphan Outreach in Russia, Kenya, Guatemala, Honduras, India
or Latvia
260. Assemble birthing kits for women in Haiti through
Konbit Sante
261. Sign up for
Konbit Sante and find the latest project to help Haiti
262. Join
Craft Hope!!! An amazing lady started this organization- she lists new projects for
people in need throughout the world. AMAZING!
263. Donate cards to
Operation Write Home
264. Make bracelets or purses, sell and donate money to an important cause
265.
Find out about human trafficking and children sold into sex trade. Donate, or find a way to help raise
donations and awareness.
Resources: Kid World Citizen , University of Nebraska 4-H Resources , Craft Hope
GenerationOn.org
My sincere hope is that no one gets overwhelmed by browsing this list. We CANNOT do everything, but we definitely can do something. In the end, it's what we give that really counts. I hope I can teach this lesson to my children.
XOXO,
Nancy
linking to:
Easy Living Mom Thursday Favorite Things Catch a Glimpse A Handful of Everything
Six Sisters' Stuff Tatertots and Jello Redfly Creations The Best Blog Recipes
One Artsy Mama Craft-O-Maniac Mad in Crafts This Gal Cooks
