“Spring Cleaning” describes the season of growth not just outdoors, but within our homes as well. Whether it is cleaning things that have not been touched since last year, throwing out old and too-worn clothes, or organizing the linen closet that has been put off for months, it is a good time to reset and start over for the next year. While remembering to revamp your own life, think about doing these things to revamp the community around you as well!
Volunteering at a local animal shelter is a great way to give back to your community. Millions of animals every year are given up for various reasons, and supporting the ones in your local area is giving something back to these animals that they have lost in human companionship.
Donating blood is a great way to support hospitals. Car accidents happen much more often than the local community might be informed about, so adding to the supply at your local blood bank could potentially save a life in your very own town. Consider donating (if able) or even volunteering at blood drive initiatives to help out.
When going through all the old clothes and unused items in your house, consider dropping off all eligible items (i.e.; no holes, no stains, taken care of) to local homeless shelters, thrift stores, or outreach/donation centers. Plenty of more people than some realize need help within our own communities, and providing options for the less fortunate in our local area is so important.
Finally, support your local businesses. In a time of a lot of economic turmoil and unease, it is important that everyone does their part to keep smaller, non-incorporated, businesses alive to support local economies, not international ones. Consider dropping by at a local coffee shop every morning instead of Starbucks or Dunkin or trying out a new locally owned restaurant this spring.
