Quick Ways to Help Your Community

There are innumerable ways to help your community and the world at large, but many of those options require time that most people do not have to spare. Do not fret or feel guilty yet, I have put together a few suggestions that you may not have been aware of before now. These suggestions are all options for helping on the local level, so they can be accomplished along your route of daily errands. These ideas are sure to benefit others and in return are likely to brighten your day as well.

Don't recycle those magazines yet
Got your fill of this week's celebrity dirt? Don't toss them! Instead, take them to your local hospital and donate them to the family waiting rooms.

Stock up at the drug store
Many women's shelters are in constant need of extra toiletries. The next time you're at the drug store and there is a sale on deodorant, lotion, or face wash, go ahead and take advantage of the sale and make a difference for someone else.

Lend a lift
If you are a church going person, check your church news bulletin for requests from elderly members who can no longer drive themselves to church. Not a church person, perhaps your hairdresser has a client that is in a similar situation. They may be along your way and you could be passing by a chance to help.

People are hungry all the time, not just during the holidays
Keep an eye out at your local food stores who sponsor can collecting drives throughout the year. There are often sales to buy multiple products that you may not be able to take advantage of if you were only shopping for yourself.

Get Technical
Many schools collect old cell phones, used ink cartridges, and used computers. You may not be aware of these drives if you do not have a child in school. You can check your local school system's website as they usually post ongoing activities there.

Share your sight
Schools and some optician's offices collect used eyeglasses to reuse frames and lenses for those who cannot afford the expense of glasses.

Rapunzel, Rapunzel donate your hair
If you're thinking about getting your hair cut short for the heat of the summer, before those scissors start chopping, ask your hairdresser if your hair is long enough to donate to Locks of Love. Locks of Love are an organization that collect human hair for wigs that are then given to cancer patients who have undergone radiation for wigs.

Remember, asking others how you can help can never hurt!