As a teen, it can often feel as though your ability to give charity is very limited in the absence of your own money. Orphan sponsorship programs and online appeals all call for monetary donations, meaning you often feel as though you’re unable to help, no matter how much you want to. Charity is a massively important aspect of our existence, and it can feel really frustrating if you’re not able to do your bit. Despite this, there are a number of ways to give to charity as a teen that require no money whatsoever! To that end, detailed below are just some of the ways you can make this happen.
Find a Cause You Want to Help
First and foremost, you need to find a cause that you’d like to help. It’s a good idea to choose somewhere local, as this way, you’ll be able to get there with ease when you need to. Similarly, you should opt for something that’s close to your heart, as this will motivate you to put in the legwork to help. Whether you’re an animal lover, have a family member who has been affected by a certain illness, or anything else, this should be the driving force behind your mission to help.
Carry Out Research
Once you’ve found a cause that you’d be keen to get involved with, it’s time to carry out some research. After all, you need to know what the cause stands for to assess whether you are, in fact, on board with their mission. It’s not enough to simply know the charity on the surface level; you need to understand their fundraising methods and what they’re doing with the money they raise. This way, you’ll be able to make an informed decision about whether your chosen charity is fulfilling its promises and whether you want to contribute to this.
Gather Clothes You No Longer Need
Instead of donating money, as a teen, you can gather the clothes you no longer need, pack them up, and donate them. You might give away clothing that no longer fits you or pieces that you simply don’t wear anymore. It’s likely that your closet is filled to the brim with clothes, most of which you don’t even wear, and those in need could really benefit from these clothes. Whether you donate them to a charity store ready to be sold for fundraising purposes or you send the clothes directly to those in need, someone is sure to reap the benefits of your old clothing.
Donate Other Unwanted Items
Other unwanted items might include toys, books, CDs, or anything in between. Charity stores and children in need could really benefit from these donations, as there are so many underprivileged children who don’t have these luxuries. The likes of toys, books, and CDs are all taken for granted by those who can afford them, but they feel like the most amazing things in the world to those who are forced to go without them. As a result, if you have items of this caliber lying around and collecting dust, you could use them to change someone else’s life.
Donate Time
Last but not least, you might donate your time to charity. This can be done in the form of volunteering. Whether you carry out some shifts at your local charity store, visit a retirement home, or help out at your local community center. There are numerous ways in which you can donate your time; you can visit your local area and see if anyone is accepting volunteers or do some online research to find opportunities.
