Volunteering: A Great New Year's Resolution

Are you looking for a good New Year's Resolution that helps others as well as yourself? How about volunteering? Doing volunteer work is a great way to spend your free time and is certainly more productive than watching television or playing video games. Volunteering makes you feel good about what you do and instills pride in yourself and your community. Try some of these great ideas.

Volunteer at a Local Animal Shelter

Animal shelters are usually non-profit and are in constant need of volunteers to help care for the animals. Volunteers are needed to spend quality time with the animals as well as for walking dogs, grooming pets, feeding, cleaning cages, and sometimes even light office duties.

If you are not interested in volunteering your time, there are other ways that you can help. Getting your company to participate in fundraisers and events is a great way to advertise. Shelters are also in constant need of donations, not just of money, but also food, towels, rags, litter, toys, brushes, bowls, pet shampoo, and other supplies.

Volunteer at Cleanup Projects

Communities often host projects to clean up specific areas such as parks, beaches, roadsides, fields, rivers, and neighborhoods. These cleanup efforts are a great way to help out as well as meet like-minded people in your area.

Cleanup isn't always just about picking up trash. Many communities need help from gardeners who can plant trees and flowers. In cities, those with artistic abilities might be called on to help paint murals to cover graffiti.

Habitat for Humanity

My husband and I talked about volunteering with habitat for humanity. We wanted to build our own home and thought that the experience would be good for us. Habitat for Humanity enlists volunteer help to build homes for low-income families. Volunteers are needed for building, painting, and landscaping.

Adopt a Highway

Many areas have an "Adopt a Highway" program. Local businesses and organizations can sign up to donate either time or money to keep a specific stretch of road clean.

You do not need to be a member of any organization to adopt your own stretch of highway, park, or beach, however. My grandmother used to walk along the highway to the post office every few days to get her mail. She always took a plastic grocery bag for collecting trash along the way. If you enjoy walking or jogging, take a bag with you and keep your own adopted area of park or roadside litter-free. If your area pays money for recycling, you can even make a little money by picking up cans and bottles.

Volunteering is a great way to help improve the community where you live. It's also a great way to get out of the house, get fresh air and exercise, and meet new people. Many places are looking for volunteer help, so check around your community and see what you can contribute.