We’re all looking forward to spring break; it’s a great time for family-bonding! Along with all of the fun activities, schedule some feel-good service. It doesn’t have to take a lot of time, just a little pre-planning. There are lots of options if you are on the road or at home.
Here’s some ideas:
-serve hot meals at a homeless shelter
-volunteer at Tiny Tim’s Foundation’s for Kids (builds and delivers 36,000 toys/year)
-prepare sack lunches for the homeless
-conduct a book drive in your neighborhood for headstart or a homeless shelter
-sing at a rest home during their lunch
-paint fingernails and play checkers with residents at a retirement home
-host a craft hour for an agency
-sponsor a car wash and give funds to a women’s shelter
-babysit for parenting classes at agencies
-wash the nursery toys at church
-mow your neighbor’s yard for free while they are on vacation
-bring gloves and garbage bags to pick up trash at a park or beach
-decorate food boxes for the food bank
-stock shelves at the bishop’s storehouse or a food pantry
-visit someone who lives alone
-gather hygiene items for shelters
-make year round Christmas decorations at Christmas Box House in SLC
-be a dog or cat foster home through animal rescue programs
-provide and serve meals to families of hospitalized children at the Ronald McDonald House
-help clean up a yard for a hospice patient
-feed the missionaries at your home, or buy them a quick lunch
-deliver a monthly food box to seniors from the food bank
-make I Spy Bottles and other games for the Family Support Center
-wash windows for a neighbor who is ill
-take cookies to new people in your neighborhood
-write letters to military people overseas or missionaries
-collect new or gently used games for Juvenile Justice
-babysit older children for a new mother
-send a note of appreciation to teachers or grandparents
-buy lunch for a homeless person
-donate clothes and toys that you don’t use
-tie fleece blankets for the homeless
-invite someone over for dinner that is alone
-take cookies to the police or fire department
-volunteer at a race for a good cause
-help your neighbor prune his bushes and trees
-clean up graffiti
-volunteer with special Olympics
-help someone move
-do indexing
-pet sit or walk a pet for free
-host an international student
-collect coats or shoes to donate
-transport someone who can’t drive
-bring someone a souvenir that doesn’t expect it
-attend the temple as a family
-clip the grass around a headstone so it looks nice
So put some service in your spring break – there will be good vibes all around!
Shari
