Every one of us keeps busy these days. It is easy to make excuses at to why we don't have enough time to help others or causes we believe in. The thing is, a majority of us do want to make a difference, and we realize that it is at least a part of our purpose for living on this earth.
Here are a few ideas I came up with that can be done in only one hour. This could be one time only, or you could do them more frequently. Whether you choose to do one of these ideas I've listed, or come up with one of your own, I challenge you to find that hour and get started this month. :)
To help the environment: You can help weed a community garden this summer or plant flowers/herbs/fruit/or trees in your own yard or local community. If you have your own garden, make sure to share part of what you grow with others. Another idea is to pick a specific location to walk and pick up trash. (Make sure to wear gloves, and see if someone else wants to join you for this project to make it more fun.) Starting your own compost pile or recycling of plastic, glass,paper,etc. would be another good use of an hour. These gardening options will require an hour or less on a regular basis and probably are not a one time only option.
To help animals: Call your local animal shelter and offer them one hour of your time to help out. They may need someone to walk dogs, change cat litter, answer telephones, or other tasks.
To help people: Visit those folks who have no or few visitors in places such as prisons,nursing homes, hospitals, or are shut-ins in a private home. There may be a local hospital that would love to have you come and rock newborn babies to help out.Your gift of being with them, caring about them, and taking an interest in them with your undivided attention for 60 minutes will mean a lot. An alternative to this for those who are shy or don't care to be around people in person is to write someone a card and mail it. Be a regular penpal or only send a card one time to let them know they are being thought about. You can ask your friends, neighbors, local churches, schools, and others to find out about those who would appreciate receiving a visit or card in the mail.
Teach a Sunday School Class weekly for an hour or find out if your church has something you can do that would only take an hour one time. This could be helping at an event, doing a chore inside or out the church building, phoning people, or even driving someone to and from a service.
Help prepare, serve food, or clean up at a soup kitchen in your area. You could also help with other food programs such as SHARE, clothes drives, Thanksgiving or Christmas community dinners, local events,etc.
Volunteer to help children learn to read at your local elementary school, help a teacher grade papers, assist with a school field trip, be a Scout leader or assistant, make an education presentation on a topic you are knowledgeable and experienced in, read for a children's hour at your public library, or fill in as a guest speaker when someone else has to cancel for a business event.
Go through your clothes closet and bag or box those you can donate to Goodwill or someplace else on your next trip past their facility. Do the same with canned and boxed goods from your own kitchen food pantry.
Offer ice cold water free to passersby on a hot sunny summer's day. Babysit an hour for free so a mother or father can have a much-needed break. Invite people over to dinner for a home-cooked meal. Adopt a family at Christmastime to buy gifts for. It should take an hour or less to shop and wrap the presents.
Donating an hour of your services or talents is another terrific way to help others. Whether you do repair work, tutoring, plumbing, business or life coaching, artwork, hairstyling, makeup and nails, massage,or something else entirely,there are people out there who cannot afford it who would so be appreciative of having a hand up.
The possibilities of helping in only one hour are endless! What will you choose to do for this one hour challenge?
Here are a few ideas I came up with that can be done in only one hour. This could be one time only, or you could do them more frequently. Whether you choose to do one of these ideas I've listed, or come up with one of your own, I challenge you to find that hour and get started this month. :)
To help the environment: You can help weed a community garden this summer or plant flowers/herbs/fruit/or trees in your own yard or local community. If you have your own garden, make sure to share part of what you grow with others. Another idea is to pick a specific location to walk and pick up trash. (Make sure to wear gloves, and see if someone else wants to join you for this project to make it more fun.) Starting your own compost pile or recycling of plastic, glass,paper,etc. would be another good use of an hour. These gardening options will require an hour or less on a regular basis and probably are not a one time only option.
To help animals: Call your local animal shelter and offer them one hour of your time to help out. They may need someone to walk dogs, change cat litter, answer telephones, or other tasks.
To help people: Visit those folks who have no or few visitors in places such as prisons,nursing homes, hospitals, or are shut-ins in a private home. There may be a local hospital that would love to have you come and rock newborn babies to help out.Your gift of being with them, caring about them, and taking an interest in them with your undivided attention for 60 minutes will mean a lot. An alternative to this for those who are shy or don't care to be around people in person is to write someone a card and mail it. Be a regular penpal or only send a card one time to let them know they are being thought about. You can ask your friends, neighbors, local churches, schools, and others to find out about those who would appreciate receiving a visit or card in the mail.
Teach a Sunday School Class weekly for an hour or find out if your church has something you can do that would only take an hour one time. This could be helping at an event, doing a chore inside or out the church building, phoning people, or even driving someone to and from a service.
Help prepare, serve food, or clean up at a soup kitchen in your area. You could also help with other food programs such as SHARE, clothes drives, Thanksgiving or Christmas community dinners, local events,etc.
Volunteer to help children learn to read at your local elementary school, help a teacher grade papers, assist with a school field trip, be a Scout leader or assistant, make an education presentation on a topic you are knowledgeable and experienced in, read for a children's hour at your public library, or fill in as a guest speaker when someone else has to cancel for a business event.
Go through your clothes closet and bag or box those you can donate to Goodwill or someplace else on your next trip past their facility. Do the same with canned and boxed goods from your own kitchen food pantry.
Offer ice cold water free to passersby on a hot sunny summer's day. Babysit an hour for free so a mother or father can have a much-needed break. Invite people over to dinner for a home-cooked meal. Adopt a family at Christmastime to buy gifts for. It should take an hour or less to shop and wrap the presents.
Donating an hour of your services or talents is another terrific way to help others. Whether you do repair work, tutoring, plumbing, business or life coaching, artwork, hairstyling, makeup and nails, massage,or something else entirely,there are people out there who cannot afford it who would so be appreciative of having a hand up.
The possibilities of helping in only one hour are endless! What will you choose to do for this one hour challenge?
.jpg)
Like the way you break it down to an hour, Beth.
ReplyDeleteIt makes helping out seem not as overwhelming.
Managing my own time more effectively both in my business and personal life is something I've been working on for a while now. I've also helped business clients figure out their priorities and how to fit things into their hectic schedules. The results of implementing these strategies happen quickly, and are quite rewarding!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment. It shows me that the message I am trying to share is being understood- that if you truly have a desire to make a difference in this world, you can do something with even a small block of time- and it does matter.