.png){kind=logo}
One of our favorite New Year’s resolutions is to make a goal to give back. However, with the current circumstances, volunteering in person is difficult because many nonprofits are not running at full capacity. Not to worry – there are many ways to give back from the comfort of your own home. To help get you started, we’ve compiled a list of creative ideas:
1. Bake cookies and make an extra batch to donate to your local fire rescue or hospital. This is a great way to give back while easily involving your children and filling your belly. Check in with local facilities prior to dropping off as they may have instructions to follow to make drop off a success.
2. Pick a charity to support in 2021. Start by making a donation and then encourage your friends and neighbors to do the same. You can raise awareness about your charity of choice by posting about it on your social media. Facebook provides an easy way to start a campaign for the charity of choice, making it easy to encourage others and keep track of your fundraising progress. You can take it to the next level by challenging your friends to a fundraising race and see who can raise the most before the end of February. Game on!
3. Host a coat or food drive from your driveway. Reach out to neighbors and friends
asking for donations and set up a designated drop-off spot. This is a great way to get your community involved safely and easily. Not only are you providing coats and food to those in need, but you’re also helping support COVID-19 orders by limiting the number of people stopping by donation sites. Be sure to share photos of your ‘driveway drive’ to inspire others to do the same in their own neighborhood.
4. Volunteer online. Lots of organizations are offering options to volunteer your time from the comfort of your own home. VolunteerMatch is a volunteer organization that matches talent and passion with different causes. With their wide range of options, you’re sure to find the perfect fit. Learn about virtual volunteer opportunities here, and visit the COVID-19 hub here.
5. Do some early spring cleaning. Clean out your closet and donate gently used clothes to organizations like Purple Heart. They provide driveway pickup for your items, making it quick and easy to donate. As they say, your trash might be someone else’s much needed treasure. To set up a time with Purple Heart, click here.
6. Check on your neighbors. Follow up with any of the elderly or sick in your community and offer to pick up any items they might need like groceries, toiletries or prescriptions. It’s easy to drop off these items at the door without coming face-to-face. Another idea is to stir up a storm in the kitchen and make them a delicious meal.
It may be difficult to volunteer in person currently, but we can try out some new ways of volunteering in 2021. Do you have any great ways to give back from your home? Please share them with the 1st Degree team, as we love learning about and sharing all the ways to make a difference.
Be safe and stay healthy this winter!