Often we think of patriotism as displaying the flag, participating in the pledge of allegiance or singing along to the Star-Spangled Banner. While these are symbols of our national pride, to me patriotism also means taking steps to create a more positive, caring community that we can be proud to live in.
In the spirit of our upcoming presidential election on November 8 (VOTE!) and Veterans Day, on November 11, I’m listing a few ways we can share our pride by investing our time in our communities throughout the year.
You’ll not only be rewarded with those feel-good endorphins that come from helping others, chances are you’ll also meet other like-minded individuals who share your passion for giving back to the community. What a positive, proactive way to form connections!
Help out at your child’s school. Schools are always looking for parents to share their time assisting at events, coordinating extracurricular activities and helping in the classroom. Head Start preschools also often seek caring adults to help in the classrooms.
Help support your local police department. One national organization that helps facilitate and train police department volunteers is Citizens on Patrol. Check it out to see if your community police department is seeking volunteers.
Sign up to help teach ESL (English as a Second Language). Not being able to speak the native language can be isolating. By taking time to help someone interested in learning English, you’ll help them assimilate better into their new community, more successfully connect with others and reach their goals. Find a local literacy center here.
Volunteer for Veterans Affairs. Check out this link for ways you can participate.
Host a foreign exchange student. By hosting a foreign exchange student, you not only have an opportunity to share your pride in your community by giving your student an extended glimpse of life in America, you and your family will have the opportunity to learn about your student’s background and culture.
Volunteer as a crisis counselor on the Crisis Text Line, “no Ph.D. required”. Mental health issues remain a top concern in our country.
Are you a mental health professional? Consider volunteering some time to help support the mental health needs of military members and their families. Give an Hour is a nonprofit founded by Dr. Barbara Van Dahlen, a psychologist in the Washington D.C. area.
Join a Fun Run to support an organization in your community that is important to you.
Share your love of reading with troops stationed overseas, wounded warriors, military families here at home and veterans hospitals. Donate gently used books to OperationPaperBack.org. They’re also seeking children’s books that deployed soldiers can read to their kids via webcam or on DVDs.
Reach out to an elderly neighbor. Often our elderly neighbors have trouble getting out and about or no longer feel safe driving. This can lead to dangerous isolation. Check in on him or her periodically in person and/or on the phone. Share a meal with her or find out if she needs you to run an errand or take her to an appointment.
Donate blood to the American Red Cross.
Organize a clean-up of your local park or neighborhood.
Start a walking group. Help create community engagement and stave off isolation. Invite moms in your neighborhood to come together for exercise, friendly companionship and conversation. Organize through your neighborhood e-newsletter, Facebook page or on MeetUp.com. Through Charity Miles, you can walk and raise money for your favorite nonprofit anytime.
Build neighborhood engagement. Start a Facebook or e-neighbors site to help your neighborhood feel more interconnected. This a great place to post about lost pets, neighborhood block parties, information about trusted businesses and crime awareness.
Are you 50 or older? The AARP Foundation Experience Corps seeks adults 50 years and older who are interested in tutoring K through 3rd grade students who are struggling to read.
Golf for military families. Participate in or organize a golf event to support Folds of Honor, a non-profit organization that provides educational scholarships to families of killed or disabled American military.
There are many, many more ways to share the volunteer spirit. What are ways you invest your time and talents to connect with others?
