Jeff Warner once said, “We are not put on this earth for ourselves, but are placed here for each other. If you are always there for others, then in time of need, someone will be there for you.” It’s life-changing to impact the lives of other people, and you can do this even though the simple things you do daily. Remember that the grandest gesture is not about giving out expensive things. Rather, it’s about giving something wholeheartedly, especially to those in need.
You do not need to be a politician or a billionaire to help your community. Even your skills, hobbies, and interests can make a positive change. Not sure how? In this blog post, we will show you how to utilize these to better your community.
The Best Examples of Hobbies and Interests that Can Serve the Community
Volunteering
If you are fond of helping people, volunteering is for you. Over the years, more and more men have volunteered in various activities, from general labor to food distribution. Statistics show that 23% of American males volunteer. If you would like to make a valuable contribution to your local community as a volunteer, there are many places for you to offer your skills and services depending on what you are interested in. You can volunteer in nursing homes, habitats for humanity, national parks, local libraries, and many more. If you are a dog lover, there are many opportunities at animal rescue shelters. Sports fans can help coach and supervise local teams. Or, if you’re a healthcare advocate and would like to help find a cure for a new disease or achieve medical breakthroughs from research, you can check out study volunteer opportunities.
Believe it or not, volunteering can make you happier and healthier in four ways. The first one is that it can help you build more connections by providing you opportunities to meet new people every day. Next, it is also good for your mind and body, for it helps counteract stress, anxiety, anger, depression, and many more. Besides that, you advance your career when you volunteer, as you learn valuable job skills and gain the necessary experience. Lastly, it brings fulfillment and fun to your life. We all know how heartwarming it is to become a part of something that can bring positive changes, right?
Planting
Gardening has become a guy thing now. Younger men are getting down and dirty in gardens to plant their own vegetables and herbs. In fact, men spend 16 minutes a day on activities related to houseplants, gardens, and lawn, which is twice as much as the daily average for women.
If you have a green thumb and a fondness for trees, then you might want to consider tree-planting as a way to serve your community. One plant can change the world—it can purify the air we breathe, stop soil erosion, and prevent flooding. Many environmental organizations hold tree planting activities, like OneTreePlanted’s events in Connecticut and Maryland.
You can also help out in community gardens, which are great activities you can do on your own or with friends and family. Tasks mostly involve weeding, hoeing, food growing, shifting compost, and other general maintenance. What you do in these gardens will help provide fresh, healthy food for your community for free. Whether you’re new to gardening or a more experienced grower, you can participate in the gardening projects that happen all year round.
Donation Drives
For those of you that enjoy managing things, organizing donation drives is a great community service opportunity. For example, you can make a child’s wish come true this coming Christmas by partnering with a non-government organization working to provide children gifts. After that, you can ask your close friends and family for monetary and in-kind donations to include them in the gift-giving. This humble gesture can change a child’s life.
Aside from that, you can also organize donation-drives for communities that were hit by a disaster. Victims of earthquakes, tsunamis, and typhoons may have lost their livelihood, homes, personal things, and food—a challenging situation for anyone to be in. You can help them recover by donating the clothes you are not using, easy-to-cook food, and even monetary help.
Hobbies for a Cause
It is a great feeling to help someone else by doing something close to your heart. This is your chance to get outdoors, stay active, meet new people, learn new skills, and create a positive contribution to your community. Don’t miss out on the opportunity!
