© Shutterstock

Painting and repairing -

If you have a neighbor who needs help painting or repairing their home, get involved! They will appreciate your generosity.

© Shutterstock

Volunteer to pick up trash -

Unfortunately, littering is still a blight on many communities. Volunteering to pick up trash is a great way to clean up the neighborhood.

© Shutterstock

Create a mural -

An absolutely great way to combine artistic flair with showcasing the values of your local community, creating a mural gets many people involved.

© Shutterstock

Set up an art sale -

If you are able to set up an art sale at a local event, you can use the funds raised from it to fund a good cause in your community.

© Shutterstock

Buy supplies for disaster victims -

If there has been local flooding, or fires, some people may have had their homes damaged or even destroyed. Help them out with some necessities.

© Shutterstock

Plant a community garden -

A fantastic way of getting many people involved in something that belongs to them, a community garden can be enjoyed by everyone.

© Shutterstock

Raise money for new playground equipment -

If there is a slightly dilapidated playground in your community, try and raise some money to fix it up. Or you could try fixing it yourself! 

© Shutterstock

Volunteer to teach a class at a community center -

A great way to share your talents with the world is to volunteer to teach a class. You will also meet some interesting people!

© Shutterstock

Rake people's yards -

In the fall, leaves can get everywhere. Volunteer to help people out by raking their yards for them. It doesn't take so long, and it's good exercise.

© Shutterstock

Request additional lighting on poorly lit streets -

A petition from local residents is a good place to start. Your local government representative should listen to a reasonable request like this.

© Shutterstock

Volunteer at a Special Olympics event -

It is fantastic that people with special needs now have the opportunity to compete in entertaining events. Get involved in this rewarding activity.

© Shutterstock

Work with special needs children on an art project -

Helping children with special needs on an art project is a great way to get actively involved in the community, and will also be fun!

© Shutterstock

Help out with the special needs program at a local school -

Volunteers are often welcomed in schools. Find out which schools have special needs programs, and make a difference.

© Shutterstock

Raise money to buy books -

Whether it's for a school or a local community center, new books are always appreciated.

© Shutterstock

Give gifts to children in hospital -

It's a very sad reality that some children have to spend a huge amount of time in hospitals. Gifts will always make their lives better.

© Shutterstock

Build a ramp for somebody who uses a wheelchair -

In order to make their house more accessible, it is an act of great kindness and usefulness to build a ramp for somebody who uses a wheelchair.

© Shutterstock

Volunteer to read to those who are visually impaired -

The importance of reading and the written word is not to be underestimated. Volunteering to read to those who are visually impaired is great for your community.

© Shutterstock

Visit a local care center to learn about those with special needs -

Being able to expand your knowledge, and consequently being able to use this information to help out, is very important.

© Shutterstock

Help to set up a library at a children’s hospital -

You will probably need assistance from friends and fellow volunteers to do this. But it can be done. Many people have lots of unwanted books.

© Shutterstock

Create a leaflet for advice on helping special needs people -

Go into some details on how they need to be respected and interacted with, and distribute it within your community.

© Shutterstock

Make the effort with an older person -

Commit to taking regular time out of your schedule to visit, call, or even write to an older person, and stick to it.

© Shutterstock

Buy groceries and medicine for older people -

Get some friends involved! Making the effort to pick up groceries and medicine for older people will be gratefully received.

© Shutterstock

Deliver meals to people who can't leave their homes -

Everyone needs to eat, and not everyone is capable of getting out of their homes. If you really want to serve your community, this is one of the best ways to do it.

© Shutterstock

Sing or put on a performance in a nursing home -

You will probably need a few others to make this work, but it is a kind gesture to try and arrange some entertainment for older people.

© Shutterstock

Give gifts to older people -

Around the time of the holidays especially, some older people can find themselves isolated. Take them gifts to remind them that they are not forgotten.

© Shutterstock

Read to older people -

An older person may find it much more comfortable to be read to, rather than to read by themselves. They may also enjoy the company!

© Shutterstock

Provide books for your local nursing home -

Reading is a very important and stimulating activity. People in nursing homes may well get very bored without the access to a varied and extensive library.

© Shutterstock

Teach an older person how to use a computer -

Some older people will not have the skills to use modern technology, but it is never too late to learn new things!

© Shutterstock

Call up older people who live alone -

Whether it is just to have a conversation, or to find out if they need anything, a call will remind them that they are cared for.

© Shutterstock

Volunteer to help an older person -

Whether it is cleaning the house, cooking, gardening, or general maintenance, an older person will definitely appreciate your help!

© Shutterstock

Help at a homeless shelter -

Volunteers are always needed at homeless shelters. There are many different activities you can get involved with, such as serving food.

© Shutterstock

Arrange a birthday party for homeless children -

It is a terribly sad thing that some children are homeless. Help to provide some happiness in their lives by doing your part in arranging a party for them.

© Shutterstock

Organize a free nutrition awareness event -

Getting people in the community together to learn, and eat, especially those who are in need of a meal, will do your community a great service.

© Shutterstock

Provide toiletries for homeless people -

This doesn't need to be supremely expensive. Just the essentials for keeping clean and hygienic will be sufficient.

© Shutterstock

Donate so homeless children enjoy days out -

Whether it's a trip to the movies, the zoo, or a museum, homeless children should be able to have the same experiences as anyone else.

© Shutterstock

Donate books to a homeless shelter -

Books are always available, and often unwanted. It shouldn't be difficult to get a substantial amount of them to donate to a homeless shelter.

© Shutterstock

Donate art supplies to a homeless shelter -

Getting people who are homeless to participate in creative activities, such as art, is a fantastic way to allow them to express themselves.

© Shutterstock

Offer to provide or fix clothes for the homeless -

Clothes can be obtained very cheaply, and are often donated. Also, sometimes a simple repair can make a huge difference!

© Shutterstock

Create a nursery in a homeless shelter -

It is extremely important that homeless children have the most normal upbringing possible. A nursery in a homeless shelter will allow them to have a strong element of normality.

© Shutterstock

Keep healthy snacks on you -

If you ever need to provide a nutritious snack for a homeless person, it's always a good idea to keep some on your person.

© Shutterstock

Volunteer at an animal shelter -

Animals are often abandoned, neglected, and even mistreated. Helping to return them to normality is of critical importance.

© Shutterstock

Donate newspapers to an animal shelter -

Newspapers are always useful for lining the floors in animal shelters, and consequently can lessen the cold in the winter.

© Shutterstock

Learn about raising a pet to give to a disabled person -

This will require a lot of time and effort, but is completely worthwhile. Work out whether you or a family member of yours could do it.

© Shutterstock

Volunteer at a zoo -

Not only would this be great work experience, but helping to educate young people about animals and nature, is also highly rewarding.

© Shutterstock

Set up a community dog wash -

This is certain to attract a lot of customers, and you can use all the money that you raise to help organizations that assist animals.

© Shutterstock

Find homes and shelters for abandoned pets -

Every animal deserves to be cared for and treated well. Assist in finding homes and shelters for abandoned pets as much as you can.

© Shutterstock

Donate food to an animal shelter -

Donations are, of course, always happily accepted by animal shelters! Often, they need as much help as they can get.

© Shutterstock

Offer a dog-walking service -

Sometimes, people don't have the time or inclination to give their dogs the essential exercise that they need. But you can help out!

© Shutterstock

Take pictures of the animal shelter to help raise donations -

We are naturally emotional and reactive beings. Sometimes, that emotional connection is necessary to make people stop and donate.

© Shutterstock

Adopt a pet -

If you are able to provide a decent home for an animal, and can commit to essentials, like taking your pet for a walk, adopt!

© Shutterstock

Clean up trash from a local outside space -

Get some others involved, and make sure you do a thorough job. Places of natural beauty should never be polluted with trash.

© Shutterstock

Organize a walk with friends, and bring bags to collect trash -

This is a great way to combine socializing, exercise, fresh air, and doing a great service for your community and surroundings!

© Shutterstock

Try to buy recycled paper -

Wherever you can, try to get hold of recycled paper. And of course, reuse paper as much as you can, and recycle it when you're done!

© Shutterstock

Grow your own fruit and vegetables -

Not only with this save money, but it's also fun! Naturally, it is important to avoid all chemicals and pesticides, and keep it organic.

© Shutterstock

Cycle instead of driving -

Trying to minimize your use of a car is a fantastic thing for the environment. If you can cycle to your destination, do it!

© Shutterstock

Save energy -

Turn off the lights, turn off the TV, and make sure that no taps are dripping. Not only will this be great for the environment, it will also save you money! 

© Shutterstock

Turn down your screen brightness -

Your eyes will thank you, as will the environment. Any reduction of unnecessary power is, of course, always worthwhile.

© Shutterstock

Create a children’s nature garden -

You can include a path and various plants and trees. It is always good for children to get out of the house and away from screens. 

© Shutterstock

Buy recycled products wherever possible -

Sadly, it isn't always possible. But where it is, always make the effort to buy recycled products, and then recycle them again!

© Shutterstock

Buy bigger to save on packaging -

It is now well known that excessive packaging is an environmental hazard. Reduce your contribution to this wherever you can.

Click here to read about some simple lifestyle changes that help the environment.

© Shutterstock