So how do you 'give back'?

[WickedLilWitch]

After 9/11, DH became very involved in 'giving back to the community'. He donates blood every couple of months, participated in the local Autism walk with some of his coworkers last year and volunteers at the library.

I recycle as much as I can as well as assist DH in some of his library projects. Our library is very small and they're always looking for volunteers.

So how do you give back to your community?

 

[jonestavern]

first: Welcome to the DIS!

I am sure there are many DISers who give mucho time &/or $$ to local efforts. I do think people do a lot more than they think they do.

I volunteer an average of 40 hrs per month for the town historical society.
We run 2 museums & participate in various heritage projects.
DH is an unpaid member of the zoning board in our very small town.
DH makes objects to raffle off for Childhood Cancer Lifeline, ie a wood inlay chess table, a Shaker style occcassional table...
DS18 has volunteered at the museums since he was 12 yrs old & has averaged 50 hrs of community service per school (9 months)year. He has also helps with the church's junior youth group kayaking outings.
He will be starting work @ a local animal shelter soon.
We give to local food drives & food pantries, donate to NH Public Radio & NH Public TV & Salvation Army, various historical societies & sites & projects & local firehouse. We contribute money to disaster relief.

We could be doing a lot more. We would like to volunteer for Habitat for Humanity.

When we were poor, we didn't have much to give, but we've come a long way & we are so fortunate to be able to do these things.

I hear so many organizations who are in dire need of volunteer help.
Folks have no idea how much even a few hrs per month mean to some of these wonderful public service groups. It is so difficult to run programs & to keep the same group of dedicated volunteers from burning out from so much work.
One of the towns in this area has to turn away young girls, as there are not enough hands to help out with the Brownies & Girl Scouts!

 

[mickeyboat]

I donate blood
I am a Brownie leader
I am an active member of the school's PTA
I volunteer at school
I pay taxes

 

[MAKmom]

Cash donations
Coaching
Community Supported Agriculture
Buy Organic
Election Board
Community Clean-up
Vote
Taxes
Habitat for Humanity

 

[Amlee]

I help my parents with their community garden. Many of the people in our community aren't able or don't have the land to have their own garden. So my parents take about 6 acres of their land each year and plants a large garden of different veggies. We plant it and tend it, then people in the community will come and pick whatever they want of it. At no charge. If someone is unable to come get their own, and we find out about it. We will do the picking ourselves and bring it to them. My parents have been doing this for years, but it only started to catch on last year.

This year people are coming up and saying oh I wish you would do a row of this or that. So now my dad keeps a notebook in his pocket and writes down what all people are wanting.

We also sponser a family every year for Christmas.

Also if we hear of a family in trouble or need, then we as a family step up and help them.

 

[cccm]

I am going to be a Junior Girl Scouts Leader (and yes we also do not have enough leaders for all the girls). Current Cookie Mom for the troop.

DH is a softball coach this year.

We take part in an Adopt A Family Program for an area of a city during Christmas. I organize a group and get the family what they need. Also get to do delivery.

Not as much as should/could be doing.

Edited to add: Blood and Plasma donations.

 

[goofygirl]

I'd give blood but I'm anemic. I was rejected twice by Red Cross!

Active in church functions/charities
Donate clothes to Salvation Army
Donate to animal shelters

 

[simba928]

I work with my local Volunteer Fire Department. I volunteer at their annual fish fry. The first 2 years I bussed tables and the last 2 I waited tables. I also do their annual car cruise. It is the largest in the area, and I mean it is HUGE! People travel from all over to come to this thing. The first year I sold pop, the second year was t-shirts, and last year was hamburgers and hot dogs. I am also trying to get my mom in on the idea of me sending in my application to the fire department.
I am also in my high school's marching band. Some people might not consider that "giving back", but if you saw some of the people we perform for. Doing school events like football games and pep rallys really isn't that great, but the parades are the best. Last year, we did a parade and there was an older woman in a wheelchair along the route. We happened to stop and I was right in front of her. We started the routine and she was so excited. She said to the guy she was with "Look! They stopped for me! Aren't they great!?!" I love performing for people like that because they really appreciate it and it seems to make their day.

 

[JVL1018]

I give my husband.
He's a Captain of our volunteer fire dept. and coaches our sons TBall team.

Normally my community service consists of not complaining about the fire department too much when he's at meetings and drills 7-8 times a month(including EVERY Friday night) and runs out of the house for a fire just as we're sitting down to watch a movie or when the kids are wild and I end up having to deal with them myself..

but apparently I am now putting together a tricky tray fundraiser for the fire dept. I was volunteered by my lovely husband. LOL

ETA I volunteer at my children's schools...and of course donate clothes.

 

[katerkat]

We donate mostly money, since with a toddler, time is a commodity. (I'd love to do Habitat, for example, but I'm unwilling to get a babysitter for a whole Saturday, so I give them money instead.) I donate a LOT of stuff once we've outgrown or un-used them. We donate to an airmen fund to help enlisted folks in need.

I'm looking forward to volunteering time once the small child goes to school!

Oh, and I send my husband overseas every couple of months to help out the whole war thing.

 

[Jennasis]

I coach for the Special Olympics.

 

[frndofpooh]

I donate platelets 4-5 times/year, do work for the women's committee at our local private hospital, and knit baby blankets for indigent little ones. I also organize swim team's holiday book/toy drive.

DH serves on the board of a local charity that provides books to kids in need.

I love reading these threads; they give me great ideas for things to do in the future!

 

[Daxx]

I teach at a catholic school. Enough said.

 

[ducklite]

I volunteer with an animal disaster rescue group doing a lot of coordination.

I maintain the web site for a couple of non-profits.

DH rides on a volunteer rescue squad and donates blood regularly. (I can't donate )

We donate money to a dozen different charities, and various personal care items to a battered womens shelter.

Anne

 

[nuke]

Not as much as I would like to but there is only so many hours in the day.

Treasurer for the Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts.
Commitee member for the Cub Pack.
We give monthly to the food bank at our church.
Donate to various charities.

 

[LSchrow]

currently do publicity & calendar for a non-profit that helps the elderly & handicapped. (in the past, also on PTA & preschool boards, class mom, GS, MS & AIDS walks, beach cleanups, etc, with DH coach, BS, etc). of course, donate money, books, toys, clothing, etc.

i also volunteered in an elderly & alzheimers center for many years with my kids (they started going at 6 months old, until they went to school full-time). it's a great way to teach kids empathy without saying a word

 

[netMick]

I pay my taxes. That supports the community. My wife is cubmaster of the scout pack. I think that covers it.

 

[mamacatnv]

My DH gives blood - I am a whimp

I am the community/school volunteer person (some say the one who just can't say NO )
For many years I sat on the board for the local Cal Ripken youth baseball league, now I will be moving on to softball politics
High School Booster club secretary and active concession/snack bar coordinator

Varsity Football:
I organize weekly home meals during the season as well as prepare the meals for the 3 day (10 schools) football camp we host every summer.
Coordinate the written program and fundraising for the season.

Monetarily:
Besides all the school stuff we support, I have enough frozen cookie dough and wrapping paper to supply to a small nation.

We are partners in Hope with St. Judes Children's hospital (this is my warm fuzzy contribution)
We also support the local food bank on a monthly basis as well as their back to school backpack/school supplies campaign and other extra's throughout the year. No child in this county should ever be hungry.

 

[Fitswimmer]

I donate clothes and food to the interfaith food pantry. I've also done volunteer work for the pantry-delivering food and working with clients.

I give generously to my parish, then the parish uses that money to give to others in need.

I keep my car off the road 2 days a week, reducing my gas consumption and my emissions. I'm also using the new energy saving light bulbs throughout my house, recycle paper, plastic, cardboard and aluminum.

I also donate to the Humane Society and a local animal shelter.