Summer for a Cause

Written by Uptown Liz Marketing Intern Nandini Kavuri

Now that summer is finally here, it is the perfect time to get involved in your community and give back. No matter where you live, there are plenty of great things you can take part in. Here are just a few ideas of rewarding things you can do this summer:

Donate old clothes that are still in good condition. A number of great organizations such as the Salvation Army collect gently-used clothing and resell them to raise money for those less fortunate. Not only does it get rid of some of the clutter in your home, but it also allows you to give to someone in need.

Volunteer. You can volunteer at a local garden, a soup kitchen, animal shelter, retirement home, or even neighborhood clean-up program. There are so many different wonderful organizations throughout your community that would greatly appreciate your time. Volunteer Match can help find the perfect place to volunteer for you.

Give blood. Someone needs blood every two seconds. Many organizations such as the American Red Cross, collect blood for those in need. If you’re eligible, donate blood and save some lives.

Become a mentor and adopt a little brother or sister. You can make a positive impact on the life of a young child and shape the people they will grow up to be. Big Brothers Big Sisters is a mentoring organization committed to helping children realize their potential and building their futures. Find out how you can help.

Recycle. Recycling conserves natural resources, space in landfills, and energy. It also reduces water pollution, air pollution, and green house gas emissions. Learn more about why recycling is beneficial from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Practice random acts of kindness. Perform a selfless act to assist or cheer up another individual. The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation has a list of different ideas to choose from.

Use word of mouth. Simply talking about great charities or important causes to someone who is unaware can help inspire them to get involved and make a difference. Social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook can help you make a positive impact for your community.