Ways to give back to your community

Thanks to Walgreens for sponsoring my writing. Help Walgreens help others! Visit their Facebook page here to learn about their charitable partners and decide which cause Walgreens will donate to with a quick vote.

Many of us are pretty lucky. Yes we may have bills that never stop coming every month, and kids that may have us screaming “Calgon take me away”, but for the most part we are lucky enough to keep a roof over our heads and provide more than the basic necessities to our family. There are however many people in our same communities that are not as fortunate. Many people for whatever reason are living in poverty, lack adequate role models and struggle to make ends meet and accomplish many things we take for granted.

I remember growing up and being inspired by my teacher, going to play in Central Park and living a relatively care-free youth. As an adult it still amazes me when I turn on the tv, or even take a detour from my normal route and see how different someone who lives just a couple of train stops away from me. We get so used to living in our own “bubble” of friends and family that even when we see these images, we still feel detached from them.

What can we do as a society? One of the ways can show our gratitude for all of our blessings, is by giving back. In our everyday hustle and bustle it may seem impossible to take time out to help someone outside our immediate family, but there are ways you can easily help out your local community or an organization including:

• donating or sponsoring an event or organization
• offfering your skills, your expertise to a neighbor or an organization
• be a mentor
• donate clothing, books or to a local food bank
• sponsor a person in the military protecting us overseas, or an entire family or individual in need

More often than not, you find that giving what you may consider a small amount of money or your time, all adds up and makes a huge impact on someone else’s life. Seeing how you make a difference can not only inspire you to continue your own personal growth, but may also make you dig deeper to help out more than you initially thought you could.

Still unsure how you can help? Here are some good recommendations to help you get started.

• http://www.volunteermatch.org/ (A volunteer matching site)
• http://www.tamikaandfriends.com/ (A cervical cancer organization I am an officer of)
• http://www.redcross.org/ (American Red Cross )
• http://www.bbbs.org/ (Big Brothers Big Sisters)

Don’t forget to help Walgreens help others! Visit their Facebook page here to learn about their charitable partners and decide which cause Walgreens will donate to with a quick vote. I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity, as I do.