gr4cs - Resources

Monthly Community Service Ideas

Helping Children

Help teach a younger child to read
Bring toys, stuffed animals, handmade book marks, or “get well” cards to children in hospitals
Go through your closet and drawers and donate your clothing http://boston.cradlestocrayons.org/home
Make quilts or baby clothes for hospitals
Donate your hair to Locks of Love (http://www.locksoflove.org/donate.html)
Hold a stuffed animals drive and donate the collected toys to a homeless shelter for the new arrivals
Donate toys and books that are still in good condition to an organization like the Salvation Army or Goodwill
Set up a lemonade or apple cider stand and donate the money you make to an organization that specifically helps children

Helping Our Environment

Clean up trash along a river, beach, or in a park
Plant flowers in public areas that could use some color
Plant a garden/flowers where the whole neighborhood can see and enjoy it
Volunteer at a CSA (local farm)
Be in charge of the recycling program for your family
Set up a recycling bin at school for batteries and dispose of them properly
Set up a recycling bin at school for worn-out gym shoes and donate them through Nike’s Reuse-a-Shoe program http://www.nikereuseashoe.com/get-involved
Set up a collection at school for new or gently worn shoes (any type) and donate them to Soles4Souls http://www.soles4souls.org/
Create a campaign to encourage biking and walking.

Helping Animals

Volunteer at your local animal shelter
Create a habitat for wildlife - such as setting up / building a bird feeder and manage the food
Walk a neighbor’s dog or pet sit while they are on vacation
Adopt a pet from the Humane Society
Make nutritional treats for dogs and cats, then give them to neighbors for their pets. Make extra treats for animal shelters.
Set up a donation center for animal products (food and toys) to be donated to those in need and to animal shelters.

Helping Families/Adults

Send a letter to one of America’s veterans or overseas soldiers. The Red Cross has a "Holiday Mail for Heroes" program that you can learn more about at http://www.redcross.org/support/get-involved/holiday-mail-for-heroes.
- Cards must arrive at the Red Cross by Friday, December 7th)
Bake cookies and bring them to your local fire or police station
Organize a lemonade/hot chocolate stand to raise money
Babysit for free, or donate the money you make to a local community non-profit organization
Participate in a road race or community walk for your local charity, or volunteer at a race and help pass out water
Visit http://freerice.com and learn while you donate rice to people in developing countries
Visit http://onehen.opportunity.org to learn about microfinance for kids and how to make a difference in developing countries
Collect used books, DVDs, and CDs and donate them to charity. You can schedule a free pick up of these items at www.gotbooks.com
Organize a canned goods drive to help local food banks
Collect canned food, warm clothing, toys, or personal care items (combs, toothbrushes, shampoo, etc.)for those in need. Deliver them to a local homeless shelter.
Anonymously rake leaves or shovel snow for a neighbor (with adult supervision, of course : )

Helping Seniors

Adopt a “grand friend” and write them letters and visit them
Visit senior citizens at a nursing home, read a book or a newspaper to them, or play card games together
Rake leaves, shovel snow, clean gutters, or wash windows for a senior citizen
Pick up groceries or medicine for an elderly person
Go for a walk with a senior citizen in your community.
Help to deliver meals/groceries to homebound individuals
Teach a senior friend how to use a computer and the Internet
Set up a visit with your local nursing home and ask permission to take your dogs or cats along for the residents to enjoy

Come up with your own ideas and we can add them to the list!