1. Give to a worthy cause
Although community care might seem like a phrase that only extends to our friends and immediate neighborhood, in truth it can actually transcend borders and seas. If we all learn to see ourselves as part of a global community, we increase the likelihood of eradicating dangers like poverty, famine, and diseases like malaria, all of which are highly preventable if tackled correctly. If you’re looking to donate to India, for instance, a good place to start would be by finding a charity whose values align with your own. Do a little bit of online research so you can be rest assured that your donation will be making real world change!
2. Kindness through cuisine
My fondest memories of growing up in the suburbs revolve around neighbors and friends coming over for potluck dinners. Every guest would have their own specialty dish! My aunt would make this superb vanilla cream cake that had us all greatly anticipating her arrival every time. When our grandfather passed away, she made that same cake for us, and it was a genuine comfort in an otherwise dark time. Food cooked with love has the power to heal, and so sometimes the best way of lifting your friends and neighbors up is simply by making sure they’re eating well. Sympathy meals, as they’re often called, don’t even need to be inspired by the death of a loved one! They can arise on even the most mundane occasions. If there are parents in your neighborhood who are putting themselves through school alongside raising young children, swing by with a casserole or two! It may make a world of difference.
3. Donate old toys and clothing
As a parent of young kids, I have a lot of love for the Toy Story movies, but it was the end of the third film that solidified this Pixar series as a staple in my home. Watching Andy pass on all the toys that defined his childhood was truly heartwarming, and it inspired my kids to want to do the same! Take some time once or twice a year to take stock of your children’s closets and make plans to donate any clothing they’ve grown out of and toys that may be going neglected. As children tend to grow in and out of things at a rapid-fire pace, chances are quite high that a family elsewhere will greatly benefit from your consideration. Be sure to find a selection of local organizations that will accept clothes and toys as donations.
4. Volunteer your time
If you have no material items or funds to give, have no fear! There are still ways you can support your local community! Volunteering your time or skills at community events or organizations like animal shelters has a positive impact that honestly ripples out to your wider community quite effortlessly. Not only are these events and organizations a form of enrichment in their own right, but when they receive aid from dedicated community members, these same bodies are able to provide a service or experience that goes above and beyond which in turn, boosts the livability of your whole neighborhood.
Alongside this, volunteering can also be a fantastic tool when it comes to manifestation. If you can find a volunteer position at an organization that you may find a desire to work for, putting in the hours as a passionate voluntary worker may help you take the necessary steps to realizing your dream! Get out there and do some good!
5. Shop local
A crucial element of community care is ensuring that you consistently support your local small business owners. Small businesses are pillars of any positive, self-sustaining community, but a positive local culture isn’t just the only benefit that comes with shopping local. A city that’s made up of smaller, self-sustaining communities is generally more likely to be a city with decreased crime rates, a smaller carbon footprint, a more accessible job market, and thus higher rates of employment. In essence, supporting your local small business owners isn’t just a way of giving back to your community. Because of your community’s circular economy, you’ll find that shopping locally is also a great move for you and your household too!
6. Reverse advent calendars
Reverse advent calendars are a particularly new tradition in my household, but it’s taken off like a whirlwind! The basic idea is quite simple. Alongside your traditional December advent calendars filled with chocolate and other sweets, implement a shared household reverse advent calendar, which is a calendar that asks you to give one gift a day to somebody less fortunate than yourself. Our first reverse advent calendar took the form of large wicker hamper that we filled with 25 cans of food, jars of jam, kitchen utensils, and other household necessities to be given to a family that may not be having as prosperous a Christmas like us.
It’s also worth noting that these advent calendars can be performed throughout the year. Feel free to not just limit them to Christmas. Try your hand at an Easter or Summer advent calendar too!
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There may be some ways of giving that appeal to you and your family more than others, and that’s okay! Do whatever feels natural to you. Just remember that kindness is a valuable commodity, but even a little bit can go quite a long way.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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