44 Simple Ideas for Volunteering and Kindness
The concept is simple. Volunteering makes the world kinder.
The big question is do we want to make the world a better place if it demands time, money and effort from our already busy overburdened lives. We must be willing to give others what you have, including your time.
Sharing may not be what immediately comes to mind when you think about volunteering, but it’s one of the best ways to serve others. And it’s a great habit to build in your kids.
Be generous with positive and encouraging words when people least expect it. It’s not easy. I often get looks when I do it. I can literally see them thinking ‘who is this poor lonely woman!’
Do random acts of kindness for others. Make a point to talk to your kids about how much this means to other people, so they understand why volunteering is important
1. Sign up for any reward programs that give back to non-profits.
Check out this list of companies who allow you to donate your loyalty rewards. It costs you nothing – a mere sign up. My School Card from Woolworths comes to mind – It allows you to link up to 3 causes. It is quick and easy to sign up and/or link additional causes. Our Favourite is Dignity Dreams NPO check out what they do on their website www.dignitydreams.co.za.
2. Donate clothes.
Heads up. Nobody wants your unwashed dirty underwear! Show some respect. Clean them before you donate. Gently worn is best. Even beneficiaries have dignity.
3. Donate toys that are clean and in good shape.
Call ahead to make sure your donation will be accepted. Stuffed Animals for Emergencies: They give clean stuffed animals and other toys to young children in traumatic or emotional situations. Volunteer Now supports a variety of organisations who will accept toys. Again, make sure they are not broken.
4. Donate books that are unmarked and intact.
If the spin is damaged and pages are missing – how are you helping? Rather throw those into the recycle bin.
5. Donate household goods (appliances, furniture, surplus building materials, etc.)
6. Donate towels and blankets to local homes shelters.
If they are damaged and animal shelter will be grateful and the puppies even more so. Extremely damaged can be torn up and used to make snuffle mats so don’t throw them away.
7. Donate eyeglasses to Lionsbrightsight.
one of the volunteer programs through Lions Club International. Click on the link provided to find out where you can donate. You are never going to use those frames again!
8. Donate food to a local food pantry.
Decorate or write notes on the lids of the food to encourage those who receive it. Volunteer Now supports many organisations that either run food kitchens or donate food parcels to rural communities. You can specify who you would like your donation to go to.
9. Donate bikes
Your children have grown out of or that bike you broke your arm on. Volunteer Now collects for organisations that refurbish and donate the bikes to people who rely on them for all transportation or want to participate in the sport. They also give free bikes and helmets to kids.
10. Donate your vehicle.
Big ask but so many organisations are desperate for transportation.
11. Participate in Santa’s Box collections.
You can start collecting now. Every month just add an item in your shop. Toothpaste, Pads, Toothbrush
12. Follow a local non-profit organization on their social media accounts.
Like, comment on and share their posts. It’s a great way to raise awareness. And every click helps.
13. Donate text books
to schools and organisations who need them.
14. Pay for the next person
in line at a coffee shop or fast-food restaurant. Everyone needs a bit of kindness. You never know the dragons they are fighting.
15. Send a sympathy card
to someone who has lost a loved one or a pet. Even better–send another one a few months later when the flood of cards has stopped.
16. Compliment someone else who wouldn’t expect it.
If you see a teen being especially helpful, make a point to tell them. If a cashier is friendly or really patient, let them know you noticed.
17. Do a chore
that a sibling or friend hates or that would really help a parent.
18. Surprise someone
With flowers, sweets or coffee. In my case wool!
19. Order a few prints of pictures on your phone
and send them to your parents or grandparents.
20. Leave a larger tip
for your server, stylist, pizza delivery person, grocery shopper, hotel workers.
21. Pull in the trash can
for your elderly neighbours. Do you even know who they are?
22. Give hot chocolate, coffee, water
to the pickers who work along your road or at your intersection.
23. Leave snacks and a note
for delivery people during the holidays.
24. Write a note and send it
(or leave it on their desk, car etc) to someone who needs a pick-me-up.
25. Keep index cards or sticky notes
on your kitchen table and write compliments on them for your family members. Be specific and notice the good things they do.
26. Write a review or testimonial online
for a restaurant or business you love. It helps small businesses more than you will ever imagine.
27. Follow, like, comment and share posts
from a social enterprise or small business (take it from us, this is a big deal and a HUGE encouragement).
28. Start a family gratitude journal
or make a gratitude wall.
29. Check in on friends or family members
(including their kids) going through a divorce, death, job loss or other difficulty. You might not know what to say and that’s okay–they just need to know you’re thinking about them.
30. Bake cookies and take them to a fire station.
Schedule a tour to learn more about how they serve the community.
31. Sit with the new kid
or invite the new employee to lunch.
32. Tell a parent something you notice about their kids
that has nothing to do with intelligence or ability and everything to do with character.
33. Let someone go ahead of you in line at the store.
34. A basket full of small bags of sweets with notes
that say “thank you for serving others.” More great ideas for volunteering! The kids put together these small bags and handed them out after they volunteered at places like the fire station, summer camp, shoe closet, church and nursing home.
35. Take a meal to a new mom or grieving family.
If you don’t like to cook, order takeout from their favourite restaurant and deliver it yourself.
36. If a neighbour or friend is heading out of town,
offer to water their plants, get their mail, take care of their pets or house sit. Make sure they’ve got a fresh litre of milk, bread and tea for their return.
37. Find a classroom in need
and help them afford supplies through Volunteer Now.
38. Donate to a reputable organization after a natural disaster.
Use Volunteer Now to find a non-profit you can trust. Donating money is the most helpful thing you can do after a disaster.
39. Offer to babysit
for a few hours so exhausted parents can get a break and reconnect with each other.
40. Send a care package to a homesick college student.
Students are never without caffeine, and they love Starbucks, so this coffee gift basket is perfect. We have 66 grant students at a local university who would love food and toiletries.
41. Find the perfect book to help or encourage a friend.
I find second hand copies of my favourites.
42. Become an organ donor.
43. Clean up litter.
in your neighbourhood or local park.
44. Keep a stash of blessing bags
in your car or backpack so you can respond to kindness or acknowledge someone with something tangible. Put whatever you like in the bags and be sure to include some kind of note. Check out our meals in a bag options. They feed a family of 4 for two days.