D R . L O R I G O R E - G R E E N

5 FA N TA S T I C W AY S T O G I V E T O

Y O U R C O M M U N I T Y

So often we think we should do something to help, but we put it off for another time. It may be a lack of

motivation or it may be the fact that it seems like a difficult task. But community service doesn’t have to be

difficult, and it’s extremely rewarding. Here are a few easy and unique ways to give.

If you feel fortunate for what you have, why not give back to those who are less fortunate?

• Many veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan are in need of counseling but do not want to seek help from the military. Give an Hour is an organization that gives these soldiers a place to turn. In addition to helping these veterans, Give an Hour works to weaken stigmas surrounding mental health issues.

• While you do need to be a licensed professional to do social work, substance abuse counseling, marriage therapy, or other forms of counseling with the program, there are many other ways to help if you are not qualified to do counseling. You could help with marketing, volunteer management, or graphic design.

TA L K T O U . S T R O O P S

• Through a program called The Box Project, you can help out a family in need. The Box Project connects struggling families in rural America with groups or individuals. Each month, volunteers send $50 worth of clothing, food, and medical supplies. In addition to financial support, volunteers provide emotional support to the families.

• Typically, participants develop long-term friendships through letters that they write and general support that they give. The organization also encourages volunteers to do some research about the area where the family lives. This way, each volunteer can work to make an impact on the public services and local policies within the family’s community.

S P O N S O R A L O W - I N C O M E FA M I LY

Founded by Christine Carroll, Culinary Corps combines cooking with helping others. The organization typically requires professional kitchen experience or a culinary degree, but if you do not have these qualifications, you may still be able to participate.

Carroll states that there is some “wiggle room,” allowing non-cooks who want to contribute to help plan upcoming trips. In the past, one meaningful trip involved Culinary Corps traveling to New Orleans to make meals for Habitat for Humanity.

C O O K F O R Y O U R C O M M U N I T Y

• Have you wanted to make elderly people happy? You can if you volunteer for the Twilight Wish Foundation. This organization allows you to grant wishes by donating items or by contributing your time.

• Wishes can be anything from wanting to see their favorite baseball player play in person to wanting a home computer to email their grandkids. Whatever the contribution, granting wishes is bound to leave a smile on the faces of the volunteers and seniors alike.

G R A N T A S E N I O R C I T I Z E N ’ S W I S H

• One thing that we all have in common is that we live on Planet Earth. So why not take care of this beautiful planet we live on? The National Environmental Education Foundation is one of many organizations dedicated to this cause.

• The foundation coordinates events all around the country during which volunteers remove trash, plant trees and partake in other earth-friendly activities. These events occur in public parks as well as wildlife refuges as part of Public Lands Day.

TA K E C A R E O F T H E P L A N E T

One of the most satisfying things in the world to do is to give. There are so many different opportunities to help

out your community and you’re sure to find one that you love. Not to mention, you’ll love the feeling you get when you help people and see smiles on their faces!

D R . L O R I G O R E - G R E E N

I N T E R E S T E D I N L E A R N I N G

M O R E ? P L E A S E V I S I T H T T P : / / D R L O R I G O R E G R E E N . N E T / T O L E A R N M O R E

A B O U T G I V I N G A N D C O M M U N I T Y I N V O LV E M E N T !