Giving back to your community is a great way of engaging in generosity and spreading kindness. There are many ways to get involved and help those in need. You could donate old belongings, volunteer your time, host a small-scale fundraising event, or try something else. Here are some of the top ways teens can give back to their community:
Start a Fundraiser
Usually, when we think of fundraisers, big events or charitable walks are the first things to come to mind, and those aren’t easy to pull off. But fundraisers come in many shapes and sizes; you can hold a small one. Gather a group of people and discuss ways you can help out. Some great fundraising ideas include:
- A bake sale: bake up sweet treats and donate the proceeds
- Car wash: wash cars in exchange for charitable proceeds
- Gift baskets: make gift baskets that you can sell or raffle off
As you decide on a fundraiser, strive to organize a great team of people to help out with this. Things move smoothly when everyone has a task to do. Also, inform the public of your fundraiser by posting online and using word-of-mouth tactics. The more people are aware of the event, the easier it is to raise funds for charity.
Volunteer Your Time
Volunteering is another one of the top ways teens can give back to their community. You can do this by volunteering at a senior home, hospital, or animal shelter! Helping people feels great, and firsthand experiences like these allow you to see the difference you make in the lives of others. So spend time chatting with the elderly in a nursing home or taking canines on walks as they wait for their forever homes.
Donate Old Belongings
We all have old clothing and other belongings that no longer serve a purpose, but that doesn’t mean they won’t benefit someone else. Go through your closet and old books to see what you can donate. Many clothing donation centers collaborate with nonprofit organizations to support individuals in need of assistance who live in the community.
Donating old items is also better for our planet since it helps reduce textile waste pollution. Giving gently used clothing, shoes, bags, books, or other items to one of these services benefits your society and our planet.
Become a Mentor
Many summer camps and other child-oriented organizations offer programs for teens to become mentors to a child enrolled in the service. This is an excellent opportunity if you’ve considered becoming a teacher someday; you’ll get hands-on experience with kids. Mentoring could involve helping kids with homework, acting like an older sibling, and befriending the child. Giving back becomes even more gratifying when you get involved with a cause near and dear to your heart.