Revamped Resolutions: Unforgettable and Everlasting
It’s a well-known saying that no man is an island, and as part of a community every individual has a role to play. By fulfilling these parts, we enable others to live safe and comfortable lives. Many people use New Year’s Resolutions to improve the self - resolving to lose weight, get rid of debt, to exercise, to spend time with family. These are valid, and I’ve made these resolutions myself many times. However, this year I’m taking my resolutions one step further - by focusing on helping others. As a member of a wonderful community, I feel that I (and my family) can improve it by doing more. My kids came up with the idea of doing a new resolution per month, and here is what they came up with:
January - Assist in Church activities.
As a volunteer for your local parish, you can accomplish quite a lot. Churches and religious organizations need all the help they can get with their numerous projects. We’re signing up to help with the Family Picnic - the kids love to set up and run the games!
February - Volunteer at your local day care.
We’ve got a community-run day care center, and it’s truly a gift for low-income families that need affordable childcare. Volunteers can teach and run groups if they want, and I’m planning to teach young ones how to put together a simple, nutritious meal. And then we’ll run around and get all silly. I can also bring my youngest child to day care which is a wonderful help.
March - Coach a Little League team.
Indulge in America’s favorite past time by offering your services to a local Little League team. Who knows, you might make it all the way to the championships! Nothing beats the high you get from helping those tiny tots fulfil their dreams of being the next big baseball star; and who knows, you might be living your dream as well.
April - Be a mentor.
Most schools have what they call a big brother/sister program, whereby adult volunteers spend time with children of various needs. Some of these are loosely organized, and some communities have tightly run and focussed programs. One of these programs is Spark, a non-profit organization devoted to reducing the high-school dropout rate by pairing a teen’s interests with local business and crafts-people. By volunteering your skill once a week, you can help a child to either feel appreciated or to realize a dream.
May - Help local businesses thrive.
See if your community has any budding local businesses and assist them in any way you can. You can go door-to-door with their products or even hand out flyers. By offering these services, you can help others sustain themselves and their livelihood.
June - Volunteer at a senior center.
Bring a touch of joy to the elderly members of your community. By devoting your time to our beloved seniors you help give them something to smile about. Check with your local home for the elderly about their needs for volunteers. It takes very little to make a person’s day.
July - Take part in community organizations.
Become more involved, join the PTA or be an active member of the Chamber of Commerce. Immersing yourself in community organizations helps you be more aware of what is happening in the community, builds your business and personal networks, and you can do your part to maintain the local economy.
August - Volunteer at your local hospital.
The medical arena is one location that requires a lot of assistance. Inquire as to their peak season and sign yourself up to help. You can even help to organize events for the hospital, such as blood drives or sports events for the disabled.
September - Start your own fundraiser.
Organize your own personal event, something fun and worthwhile and get everyone involved. You can then donate the proceeds to any deserving community organization. Get creative, be it a bake sale or a yearly fair, it will certainly be a win-win situation for everybody!
October - Participate in a clean-up drive.
Help to keep your community clean and beautiful by devoting your time to any local clean- up drive. This involves such activities such as litter picking, tree planting, and even creating a community garden. Get to know other community members and bring beauty to your home at the same time.
November - Adopt a poor family.
Invite the less fortunate into your home this year. By allowing others into your life you gain perspective on many things, and it opens your mind and heart to these often-neglected members of the community.
December - Organize a gift drive.
Enlist other members of the community to pool gifts to give to less fortunate children. Coordinate with your local shelter or orphanage for this project.
There you have it, one whole year of countless ways to pay it forward. Don’t hesitate to diverge from the list, with your drive and creative mind, who knows what other good deeds you can accomplish. Keep on giving!
Image by beX out loud
Guest author Maxine is a dedicated mother who works to instill in her children the ideas of giving, charity and frugality so they have a solid foundation for their future. When not with her family, she works for Treetopia, a seller of artificial Christmas trees. The Christmas tree sale this holiday season was particularly busy but a great reminder for her of the need to balance work and family.
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