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How is it already blog post time again?! This week was moving like a snail until I realized that it was Friday and I still didn’t have an idea for a blog post yet.
But that’s when shower ideas come in handy (😉), because then I remembered that my school community service log was due yesterday. I already turned it in earlier this week, but I had June 11th marked on my calendar for quite some time because I didn’t want to forget.
This year I had to do 12 hours of community service for NJHS (National Junior Honors Society) and I’m not going to lie- towards the end I was a liiiitle panicked about how I could get about 5 more hours in a short time frame.
I know since school ended for most people earlier this month, this post isn’t perfectly timed for if you need hours for a school club, but at least it’ll give you ideas for next year or for during summer break! Personally, community service is a lot more fun and impactful for me when it’s not required.
I also find it hard to actually enjoy some community service projects, like picking up trash and volunteering. The list I complied of service opportunities are fun to do and make you feel so accomplished afterward! Most of them are also introvert-friendly – hopefully a win for at least someone else out there! 😂 Plus, you can make these activities as long or short as you want to depending on how many hours you need!
Donate
This is probably my most commonly used method of community service. Typically my family donates food and supplies to a nearby crisis ministry every month or two.
Here are a few tips I think you should know if you are donating:
- Organize and sort your pantry every month or two months. This is the fun part of donating! When I organize my pantry sometimes, it makes a big difference- not only in the way it looks, but I’m always surprised by all the food we have hidden in the back that are either stale or past their Best By date that I wish we would have eaten or donated. Going through your pantry and looking at expiration dates is a great way to realize how much you already have and makes you more aware and willing of what you can donate. Donate any items you think you won’t use before their Best By dates or have extras of- or what your local food pantry needs!
- Use coupons and rebates. If you get coupons in the mail, in the newspaper, or with your purchases, use them!! My mom is the master at using apps like Ibotta to get money back from purchased items that we can use to donate. For example, we pay $40 for items in the store, but after we get rebates, we end up paying less than $10 total. Even if coupons you find are things you don’t normally use, think about if it would make a great donation. You don’t need to use coupons and apps too often if you’re a beginner- anything helps and you have to start somewhere!
- Give to organizations that are most in need. City food pantries actually often get overcrowded, so do some research about which organizations near you are most in need off supplies.
I’m not a donation expert by any means, but I think those ideas can make a big difference when you choose to give. Plus, they’re all a win-win, benefiting you and the organization you donate to!
Offer Free Services, Like Babysitting
This was probably the most fun community service I did this year! I obviously love to babysit since I offered this, and it benefits the parents as well because they don’t even have to pay me! Another win-win 🙂
You can also do anything you normally do for a little money like mowing the lawn, walking dogs or washing the car for your neighbors, for free.
However, make sure it’s not for a family member if you’re getting required service hours- most community service clubs decline hours if they are done for a family member.
Create Kindness Rocks
If you haven’t heard of kindness rocks, they are little painted rocks with kind or inspiring messages on them that are scattered in various places for people to find and be encouraged. If you have a creative mind, this is a great service opportunity that has your name written all over it!
Some tips for making kindness rocks:
- Pick rocks that are smooth and easy to write on.
- If you don’t have ideas on what to paint or write on your rocks, consult Pinterest or Google! There are soooo many good ideas there.
- Use multiple layers of acrylic paints for the base/background coat.
- Use paint pens or fine liner pens to write or draw symbols on them.
- When done and dried, make sure to use sealer!!!! This is essential to make sure that the paint won’t wash off in the rain. I use Mod Podge.
- Make it colorful and unique!
Make & Distribute “Blessing Bags”
“Blessing Bags” are bags (often Ziploc) filled with supplies for the homeless. They are great to keep in your car for when you travel to cities or other places that have high-homelessness rates!
Ideas for items you can put in Blessing Bags:
- Small, lightweight foods items, like:
- Peanut butter crackers
- Granola bars
- Checkout snacks, like Nutella & Go
- Whatever else non-perishable!
- Water! (As much as you can fit)
- Travel-size toiletries, like:
- Deodorant
- Toothpaste and toothbrushes
- Hairbrushes & hair ties
- Shampoo & Conditioner
- Hand sanitizer
- Sunscreen
- Anything else you can think of or find!
I didn’t do any this year because I stayed home 95% of the time, but in the past I’ve done blessing bags a few times! They make me feel so good after I give them out.
Use Your Talents To Do A Kind Act
Chances are, you probably know of someone who is struggling right now. Although that’s not the best thing, the good news is that you have plenty of talents you can use to help them out!
Brainstorm a list of ideas you can do for them. If you are a talented cook, make a meal for them. If you love plants, tend and water their garden. If you are creative, make a card for them. The list goes on and on- doing anything you are talented at and enjoy doing for others is a great way to get community service hours!
Sometimes the smallest acts like these can make someone’s day! Just make sure you ask them and make sure that they’re OK with it before doing it 🙂
Thanks so much for reading! I hope you found a fun and creative way to start giving back to your community today. Leave a comment below if you’ve done any of these service activities before and what you liked most about them!
Love others, stay positive, and mask up (if you haven’t been vaccinated)
-Natalie B
Photo credits:
https://unsplash.com/photos/cJha7sTBzvQ
https://unsplash.com/photos/7h4ladPzhn0
https://unsplash.com/photos/oLctpwsuYBg
Natalie Belle Blog 