This new year, how about resolving to be more generous to others? Being generous doesn’t have to be in the form of money only. Here are some ideas and tips.
(Note: Some of the web links provided are relevant to Southern California residents, but don't be discouraged - opportunities near you may just be a simple google search away!
Exploring your options, expand your choices
Equip yourself with information about the organizations you are interested in helping before you dive in. Know how they spend the collected donations and get a sense of how the organization operates. While there are many national, well-established non-profit organizations, you may be interested in a specific cause that is near and dear to your heart. Here are a couple resources:
Charity Navigator - They have top 10 lists of various subject matter. To name a few: 10 Most Followed Charities, 10 Charities Overpaying their For-Profit Fundraisers, 10 Charities with the Most Consecutive 4-Star Ratings.
Give.org - BBB Wise Giving Alliance (AKA give.org) monitors the governance and the measure the effectiveness of the charitable organizations. They also review the financial health of the organizations.
Donate excess stuff
Have extra things you don't need or no longer use? Here are some organizations that can make use of your donation:
Donate your professional attire to help job seekers to WFW
Recycle aluminum cans that you used and donate the money.
Are you a frequent traveler who spends time staying at hotels? Save the unused toiletries and donate them to the local homeless shelter.
Be a blood donor. According to the Red Cross, every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood. One donation can save up to 3 lives. Find out more from the Red Cross here.
Share your talent, your skills, or time
There are many ways to donate your time and talent. You can help out at an animal shelter, assist elderlies, help kids with their homework or sports, help a non-profit organization with their social media postings, just to name a few. Visit volunteermatch.org to find a match for you.
Mentor someone at work. Your experience on the job can be of great help to someone else.
Teach a community class at your local city or county. Visit your local city hall or their web sites for more information.
Volunteer at your local library: you can read to the kids, help with sorting and organizing books, become an adult literacy tutor, help with book sales at Friends of the Library, lead computers classes held at the library.
Got some interesting ideas? Let us know below.
Treble C is azendea's resident blogger. She can be reached at HereComesTrebleC@gmail.com.