How many times have you binge watched a season of "Gilmore Girls" just because you could? I waste more time than I'm willing to admit on Pinterest and Facebook without even realizing that it has been a whole hour, and in that hour I haven't really accomplished anything.
This summer I've decided to make as much of a difference as possible while still maintaining a full-time job. Since many people work a long shift during the day or night, here are 10 schedule-friendly ideas for changing someone's life in your community.
1. Donate old bras.
Women account for a large portion of the homeless population -- 84 percent of homeless families are female-headed. In order for women to be successfully hired and retained at jobs, they need bras to help look professional and work-appropriate. Donate your old and outgrown bras to organizations like Free the Girls or your local women's shelter.
2. Create a book share box.
If you live in a house, or have seen houses nearby with "take a book, leave a book" boxes out front, donate your old paperbacks or set up your own Little Free Library to help promote literacy and education in your community for people who couldn't otherwise afford books.
3. Help with seemingly basic tasks.
Whether it's an elderly neighbor, a single parent, or someone who physically cannot do simple household routines like grocery shopping or getting the mail, offering to do some basic household work for free could really help someone out who is in a difficult situation.
4. Donate blood.
When they say that donating blood is saving a life, they're not exaggerating. More than 4.5 million patients need blood transfusions every year, and only 10 percent of the eligible population donates. It's easy, fast, and you usually get a free shirt or coupon for a quart of ice cream for donating (that's right, ice cream). Saving three lives per donation AND getting ice cream? Too good. Bonus points if you register to be a blood marrow donor. It's as quick and painless as a cheek swab and you have the chance to save the life of someone who is suffering from cancer!
5. Register your dog as a therapy dog.
Puppy love isn't just something stressed out students need during finals. Hospitals, nursing homes, and chemotherapy centers are full of people who would love to have a dog (or other animal) to pet and take their mind off of things. Just go to the National Service Animal Registry and help make someone's day infinitely better!
6. Save up your recyclables.
You don't even have to take care of them yourself. By bagging and separating your bottles and cans, you can help someone who is homeless make money for themselves to eat and stay warm. Collecting cans and bottles for recycling can be hard work for a little money, so next time you have a party, just collect your recyclables and bag them up! You are saving the environment AND a life.
7. Donate your old bike.
Do you have a bike that you outgrew or just honestly don't use much anymore because you prefer driving? Donate it so that children both domestic and abroad can go to school, and that adults can have transportation to work. It's part spring cleaning, part helping someone support their future and family.
8. Purge old equipment and supplies.
Old sports equipment, gardening supplies, clothing, kitchenware -- anything that you're no longer using and is still in working condition would make a great donation for local homeless shelters, youth outreach programs, and community gardens.
9. Visit a retirement home.
People in nursing homes have had long, full, interesting lives that they would LOVE to talk to someone about. Go to your local retirement village or nursing home and just take a little bit of time to get to know someone and remind them that their lives are interesting, meaningful, and important.
10. Give honest compliments.
This is the easiest thing in the world to do. You can go up to someone you know and tell them something that you love about them, or put inspirational quotes on sticky notes and leave them on their dorm door. It's a small way to make someone feel appreciated and loved, which can be exactly what they need.
Making a difference doesn't have to take lots of time or money. In less than an hour you can change or save a life and make your community even better!
