The Giving Spirit
Did you know giving back to the community not only benefits others, but can also improve your health? It’s what is known as a “helper’s high”: volunteers report greater life satisfaction and better physical and mental health than non-volunteers.
The holiday season always inspires generosity, and in today’s challenging economic climate, there are many non-monetary ways to give back to your community. Check out the ideas below for inspiration, then add a few new ones of your own!
• Donate “gently worn” clothing and coats to a local shelter.
• Read to at-risk kids or help them with their homework.
• Collect and deliver toys to a charity or firehouse in your area.
• Hold a canned food drive to benefit your local food bank.
• Serve a meal at a senior center or soup kitchen.
• Organize a group to sing carols at a nursing home.
• Visit hospitals or nursing homes to cheer up patients
or residents who seldom get visitors.
For more volunteer ideas in your area, check out
Volunteer-Match (www.volunteermatch.org) or
Craigslist’s volunteer section (www.craigslist.org).
Terrie Fink And Associates 