“Everybody can be great. Because anybody can serve. You don’t have
to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to know about Plato
and Aristotle to serve. You don’t have to know Einstein’s theory of
relativity to serve. You don’t have to know the second theory of
thermodynamics in physics to serve. You only need a heart full of
grace. A soul generated by love.”

By Dr. Martin Luther King

"Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor." ~ 1 Corinthians 10:24

"Do nothing from selfishness or conceit, but in humility count others better than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others."

~ Philippians 3:4

 

ANIMALS

 

Call your local animal shelter and get a list of items needed such as: used blankets and towels, bleach, newspapers, kitty liter, toys with fiber (no beans), etc.

Volunteer to brush and walk the animals at the animal shelter.

Make dog biscuits for the local animal shelter.

Collect dog and cat food in cans.

 

SENIOR CITIZENS

 

Make cards for the residents.

Deliver meals to the elderly.

Singing (Christmas carols) at nursing homes.

Color pictures and hang on doors.

Make centerpieces for the nursing home tables.

Make tray favors, decorated napkin rings  for dinner trays.

Play games (bingo) with the residence on a weekly basis. Call the game coordinator to find out availability.

Make small crafts or pins.

Adopt a “grandma” or “grandpa” and send them cards, bake cookies, and spend time with them.

Make a book on tape to contribute to a state department of the blind; a local daycare center; or pediatric patients.

Read books to the elderly (Great for those beginner readers).

Do a Fashion review or a talent show for the residents.

 

Christmas

 

Adopt a Salvation Army Angel Tree

Operation Christmas Shoebox

Make Christmas cards for Armed Forces overseas, contact Red Cross for specifics.

Christmas Caroling

Bell ringer at Salvation Army (usually in front of Wal-mart)

Toy drive for local children’s home.

Stuff Christmas stockings for the local boys and girls club.

 

Community Beatification

Plant spring flowers and fall bulbs.

Plant flowers (local fire station, or nursing home).

Plant trees (local school or park).

Pick up trash at beach, local school or park.

 

CHILDREN’S HOME OR ORPHANAGE

 

Babysit for the “Family Care Program”.

Coordinate an outing for an activity such as bowling or Putt-Putt golf.

Host a back to school party.

School supply drive with book bags/back packs, journals, pencil cases, pocket folders, pens, pencils, binder paper, calculators, etc.

Craft supplies such as coloring books, pipe cleaners, colored pencils, crayons, ribbon, scissors, construction paper, glue, etc.

Household items such as laundry soap, cookware, glassware, cutlery, kitchen utensils, can openers, window cleaner, bleach, dish soap, etc.

CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL

 

Collect baby blankets.

Make get well cards.

Contact www.makeachildsmile.org of items needed such as stuffed animals, cards, tie quilts, and letters.

 

SHELTERS/ FOOD KITCHEN

 

Brand new socks/underwear/mittens for homeless or shelter families.

Gently-used coats for shelters/homeless.

Collect canned goods.

Toothpaste toothbrush disposable cup wrapped up in a cellophane baggie.

Sleeping bags and blankets.

Toiletry items.

Volunteer to serve at a soup kitchen.

FOSTER PARENTS / PREGNANCY CRISIS CENTER

 

Make baskets of baby of needed baby items.

Baby furniture, diapers, blankets, bottles, wipes, baby clothes are items that are needed to have on hand.

 

Special items for multiple usage:

 

Valentine boxes: fill shoe box full of items included a heart lollipop made into a flower, a pack of little lifesavers made into a bee, a pencil, small notepad, stickers, they laced a little heart pouch together (think back to lacing cards when we were little, just put two hearts together punched holes around except at the top and then tied a little handle at the top and decorated these and then put little heart chocolate foiled covered candy in there, and a coupon from Burger King or McDonald’s for a free hamburger.

 

Project Linus: Make a blanket and donate it. They will take your blanket to a facility where it will be given to a deserving child.

 

Birthday-n-Box: cake mix, disposable pan, icing, sprinkles, balloons, party hats, Tube of icing to write birthday name on cake with, Birthday candles, Matches, Balloons, Crepe paper streamers, Noisemakers or similar party toys, Paper tablecloth, Loot bags, Loot to put in loot bags!, Container of Kool-Aid or a package of 10 juice boxes, Paper goods (plates, cups, napkins, forks, etc), Candy, Party games such as pin-the-tail on the donkey (might include a new bandanna w/that game), Maybe print rules for 2-3 simple party games that need no special equipment (like Fruit Basket, etc), Small unwrapped birthday gifts such as Beanie baby, new book, Tissue paper or gift wrap

Color A Smile: collects crayon drawings from school children. Every month we distribute these drawings to Nursing Homes, Meals on Wheels Programs, and Individuals all across the country.