Giving back: Ways to support your local community

Whether you live in an urban jungle, off a quiet country road, or somewhere in-between, community is a gift that needs cultivation.

As the world gets more and more digitally connected, preserving local, physical community bonds through goodwill is more important to maintain now more than ever. While it can be very mutually beneficial to engage in a digital sense of community (such as yours truly) the unique need to have a sense of belonging, often met through community, can be seen across all countries and cultures.

So, if it’s been a while since you turned your industrious and hardworking eye to the people and places around you, here are just a few simple ways you can enjoy, give back and love on your local community.

Shop & dine locally

With companies the likes of Amazon transforming the consumer world with quick and cost-effective options, shopping locally can feel like an unnecessary hit to the wallet. But there are some incredible benefits to doing business at your local boutiques, businesses and firms. One of those such benefits is simply putting your hard-earned green into your neighbor's bank account for their wonderful services and offerings. Spending money with neighborhood businesses keeps the local economy flowing strong – which is good for everyone!

While not every community can be stuffed to the brim with exquisite, local foodie dives, odds that there’re at least a few decent places to get a local bite near you aren’t too bad. With a bit of focused searching, you might be surprised at how many good local options there might be around you – even if local means within 2 hours... So take a look and assume the tedious chore of finding some tasty local grub. Then keep going back – simple as that!

Attend local events

All communities – big and small, wide and tall – host and run some of the best community events. Maybe it’s the Mardi Gras parade, The Annual Cherry Blossom Festival, the yearly local Christmas Market or a good ‘ol summertime fair. No matter what event it is, families, local businesses, sports teams, organizations, couples and kids can often be spotted enjoying themselves amidst the pomp and fair (no pun intended).

So why not join in? If it’s been a while since you’ve attended a local town or city event, maybe schedule one this year. While the pandemic has impacted many socializing activities like local events, areas are slowly re-emerging from home-based hibernation and are (safely) dipping their toes back into the social waters again. Your support and presence at a local event will surely be appreciated by all the hard-working folks behind the scenes – even if you never hear a “thank-you.”

Pro tip: Your local town office, library or chamber of commerce are great places to get the 411 on events happening in your community. Sign up for the email newsletter and browse the happenings once and a while to find one that interests you.

Think green!

The ways to go green are nearly as numerous as the stars in the sky! Some obvious ones might be; employing energy efficient machines and tools in your organization, practicing best recycling habits, minimizing food waste and growing more office plants. But what about the other, less obvious options you can apply in your home or business?

One less common green effort is light conservation – simple updates to day-to-day indoor and outdoor light fixtures can go a long way to minimizing light pollution and preserving the starry night sky.

It’s also worth considering who you do business with, where you shop or what tools you use – are these organizations employing green practices to deliver their good or service to you? As you consider what options might best suit you, remember to have fun thinking about how you can help make the world around you a greener place.

Donate used items or older tech

The amount of thrift stores, non-profits, refurbishing centers, scrap exchanges or recycling programs that are always looking for gently used or donated items is constant. Look around your business or home – what aren’t you using anymore? Do you have items that just don’t fit in with your life or business right now? Are you diving into a deeper level of minimalism? Instead of popping those items in the bottom of the bin, do a quick Google search and check into the donation hours of your local thrift, consignment or dump stores. You might be surprised at how much your used items might fit well in someone else’s life.

Same goes for your older or outdated tech. Did you just refresh your staff’s machines? Maybe you had a great quarter and just rewarded yourself with a brand-new laptop – amazing (and go you!). If you don’t keep it or give it to your households ‘next in line’, look into a few options for donating your old machine. In addition to the myriad of options a Google search will supply you, your tech company may also have a sustainable recycling program for this very purpose. Lenovo’s product recycling and trade-in programs can be found here, along with state-level programs near you.

Donate time, money or skill

Some folks have the funds while others have the time. No matter what ways you can contribute, there's a need for every outlet. While many organizations – be it town, NP, community-based or donor-funded – are almost always accepting donations of financial support, a less obvious donation route is donating your skill.

Are you an excellent speaker or shine brightly in social gatherings? Do you have vast sums of financial planning knowledge that could help others? Does your business savvy top the charts? These skill examples are but a few of the MANY ways in which your unique strengths and skills might positively benefit your community. With a bit of time, a dash of creativity and pinch of your brilliant self, opportunities will start coming your way.

Even if you don’t feel ready, or that what you have to offer isn’t what you want it to be yet, go for it anyway! As a talented author once said, “If we wait until we’re ready, we’ll be waiting the rest of our lives.”

Volunteering: Where to start

Speaking of local events... consider volunteering at one! I already see my introverts, busy parents and maxed-out business owners bolting. But before you run past this one, know that there are SO many ways your volunteering presence might be helpful in your local community. There are many behind-the-scenes, non-social, and low-comital ways to support your community’s efforts. Cutting squares of fabric at home to donate to the quilting guild. Organizing the list of vendors for the Pumpkinfest from your laptop. Writing up a few emails in your pajamas to promote the local NPO art café.

Get Involved in something you are passionate about

Are the possibilities overwhelming? They can be. So put in a few queries to your local town or city office and see what open volunteering options interest you. Love to cook? Spend some time at your local food shelter or soup kitchen. Have a heart for hurting youth? Look into children's homes or orphanages that could use an extra set of hands one Saturday a month to coordinate pizza Saturdays. Love animals? Have a favorite sport? Have a green thumb? Start with something small and take care not to put too many expectations on yourself. Take it simple. No matter the size, duration or level of your effort, just know that it gets easier the more you do it! Starting is the hardest part – as with most things in life.

So there you have it! Just a few ideas to get your wheels turning on how you can get involved in your local community this year.

What ways do you support your local community? Have any useful resources or links to recommend to other looking get started? Let us know in this forum thread.

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