Innovative Ways to Give Back to Your Community

When it comes to giving back to your community, it does not have to end with giving monetary donations. In fact, many people feel guilty because they would like to give back but can’t because they simply do not have the extra money to donate to others. Thankfully, there are some innovative ways that you can help others within your community, and none of them involve cash. Continue reading to learn more.

Donate Your Car or Boat

If you have an old car or boat that you are planning on getting rid of, rather than trashing it or selling it for a very small amount of money, why not donate it to a charity like Boat Angel instead? These organizations are designed to take used cars or boats off your hands so you do not have to worry about having to put in any extra work. They will then sell the vehicles for money that can then be used to help those in need.

Help Build a New House

Those who are willing to get to work and get their hands a little dirty, as well as learn a thing or two about construction, will enjoy volunteering for groups like Habitat for Humanity, which work on constructing new houses for those who can’t afford to get one of their own. You can usually volunteer on weekends, and these houses will help the homeless directly.

Volunteer at a Local Animal Rescue

Whether you volunteer at your community shelter or any other non-profit animal rescue group, you can give back to your community by helping strays and homeless pets find loving homes with people who are in search of the perfect animal companion. With so many opportunities to help animals in need, from wildlife rehabilitation centers, to no-kill shelters and foster networks, there are plenty of options to choose from.

Paint a Mural

If you are an artist or you know of someone who is, go in search of a large blank wall that could use some art, and then work on beautifying it for your community. Ask the town and owner of the building for permission first, of course, but once you get the go-ahead, paint a mural that will make the building look like new and will provide art that will grab people’s attention and bring a smile to their faces. 

Volunteer with Kids

Individuals who love being around children can find ample opportunities to volunteer with them. You can help out with a variety of activities for kids, such as those at schools in your area. There are also after school programs, camps, the YMCA, the Boys and Girls Club, day care facilities, mentor programs, church groups, and more that all offer you the chance to work with children on everything from music and sports, to arts and crafts. You can even volunteer as an after school tutor to help kids succeed at subjects that are difficult for them to grasp.

Take Time Out for the Seniors

Senior citizen centers are always willing to hire volunteers who can spend some quality time with their residents. Many times, these seniors do not have many people that they can talk to, so volunteering to listen to their stories or have a conversation with them is a great way to make them feel better and keep their minds active. In addition to simply talking to them, you can also do art with them, dance with them, play cards, and more.

Donate Used Items and Clothing

Do you have a lot of used items around the house, such as clothing, musical instruments, and electronics? If you do not plan on using these any longer, consider donating them instead. There are many organizations that will gladly take things like used musical instruments and donate them to schools that have music programs for kids. Donating your old clothes and shoes is also a good way to give back to those who can’t afford new clothing. And if you have used computers and other electronic devices, you can donate those as well to individuals and groups who need them. Doing so keeps these items out of landfills while directly and positively impacting the lives of others. 

There are so many creative and innovative ways to give back to your community, and doing so will make you feel great because you will know that you are directly impacting others in a positive way. So check out some of the opportunities available in your area and head out there to do some good today.