Recent surveys on volunteering in the U.S.A. found that 52% of volunteers do it because they like helping others by doing something useful while another 38% enjoy doing volunteer work because it makes them feel good and positive about themselves. Did you know giving back is also good for your physical health? Many volunteers report a sense of satisfaction and empowerment after they volunteer their time, skills or donations. Why do you volunteer?
Good Friday is almost here, and what a better way to celebrate than to do a little good in your community? You might be surprised at how easy, yet fulfilling it can be to help others or encourage them to do good themselves, even motivating strangers to follow in your footsteps. Let’s make Good Friday a great one! Here are 10 ways to do good on Good Friday!
1. Help Boost Someone’s Self-Esteem
By the age 13, about 53% of American girls are unhappy with their bodies. By 17, it’s 78%. Help boost someone’s self-esteem by posting encouraging notes in a place that can trigger low self-esteem such as an office or school bathroom. Motivate someone else’s day and encourage them to be positive about themselves and views towards others.
2. Send a Thank You Note to Wildlife Rangers
Wildlife rangers risk their lives to protect endangered species like tigers, elephants and rhinos. Send a thank you card to support their missions and motivate them to keep going. Show your appreciation for their work.
3. Become a Road Trip Warrior
Truck stops are a hot spot for sex trafficking, where victims find themselves alone in the bathroom. Turn this into a potentially life-saving opportunity by posting hotline information on the mirrors at gas stations and rest stops. Learn more about how you can help victims.
4. Show Thanks to the Firefighters in Your Community
Firefighters do great work to help keep our community safe. Over 1.1 million US firefighters keep our communities safe by putting themselves in dangerous situations. Small gestures like baking cookies or bringing by snacks can show big appreciation.
Or, volunteer with the fire department. The City of Covington Fire Department is currently recruiting volunteers to assist with everyday operations at the department. No matter if you are looking to have a career in the fire service, a medical career, or just to give back to your community this is a great opportunity.
5. Switch to a Reusable Water Bottle
Americans throw away 35 billion plastic water bottle a year. Challenge yourself and your friends to reduce plastic waste by making the switch to reusable water bottles.
6. Donate a Bag of Daily Essentials to a Local Homeless Shelter
Millions of people find themselves without a home or access to basic items every year. Create a “blessing bag” filled with important day-to-day items and deliver them to your local homeless shelter.
Find more ideas on DoSomething.Org. Pick a cause, select a time, choose a type and do some good.
7. Empower Louisiana’s Seniors to Prevent Medicare Fraud in Mandeville
This statewide federal grant program, headquartered in Baton Rouge, needs retired professionals to teach other seniors to prevent, detect and report Medicare fraud.
Education sessions and outreach events are held at senior centers, retirement communities, churches, hospitals, etc. Very flexible schedule. Free training provided.
8. Volunteer at a Local Hospital
North Oaks Health System is in need of volunteers to: greet, direct and provide information to patients and family members, spend time talking to, playing games with and reading to patients, support various departments with clerical tasks, provide support for our hospice patient families and work in our gift shop.
Find more ideas at createthegood.org. Find local opportunities to volunteer, post your own opportunities for others to join along, or simply get inspired!
9. Volunteer at a Local Organization in Your Area
Match your unique skills with what local organizations need, especially when they don’t have a big budget. You never know how far your skills can go when helping an overwhelmed or overworked organization transform their work environment and become better.
A few local Covington volunteer organizations include:
- United Way of Southeast Louisiana
- Bogue Chitto National Wildlife Refuge
- Youth Services Bureau CASA Program
- Anointed Hands Boxing Club
- Girl Scouts of the USA
- Special Olympics Louisiana
- Hope House
- Covington Foodbank
- AmeraCare Family Hospice
- New Heights Therapeutic Riding
- Volunteers of American GNO Retired & Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP)
- Concerned Citizens of St. Tammany
10. Carry on a Random Act of Kindness
How often do you go out of your way to do good purely for the benefit of another person? Completing small, random acts of kindness can completely change someone’s day and hopefully carry on to the next person. Here are a few acts of kindness you can do today:
- Donate used books to a local library
- Make dinner for your neighbors
- Pay for someone’s meal
- Have a charity day at work
- Write a positive note to a co-worker
- Eat lunch with someone new
- Leave a coupon behind
- Bring in your neighbor’s trash
- Plant a tree
- Praise someone for good work
- Become an organ donor
- Leave a generous tip
- Put gas in someone’s car
