Short on time and cash, but want to help out in your community anyway? Here is a non-exhaustive list of ideas:
go out of your way to introduce yourself to others at the park, and your kids sporting events and recitals. Get to know people even if you don't know if you will ever bump into them again. I tried this the other night at a school skating party. Turns out the women and I knew mutual friends. While we may or may not ever bump into each other again, and may not even remember each others' names, I had a more enjoyable evening chatting with her than I would have otherwise.
Invite other people to join you in a pickup game of soccer, basketball, tag, etc. at the park, or in your front yard.
Chat with people when you see them get the mail, put out the garbage, mow the lawn or shovel the walk.
Join the PTA, registering takes less than 10 minutes, costs $6 and at a minimum you have added to the budget that provides your child and your neighbors' children with school carnivals, book fairs, fun runs, 6th grade graduation, school-recognition of birthdays and a host of other extra-curriculars.
Respond to canned food drives, and requests for coats, clothing and books. Almost everyone has more of something than they really need.
VOTE
volunteer at a polling booth the day of the election
teach English or learn a language needed in your neighborhood on Facebook for a half hour a week using Language Exchange, because hey, the world is one really big community and it would be nice if we understood each other.
pick up litter
pick one of the ideas presented in this video about the best birthday idea ever!
write a thank you letter to a city employee
set up a recycling receptacle for your family
hold a door open for someone
become an organ donor
listen to others
write a letter to the editor that is positive and thankful
visit a small, local museum
donate outgrown toys to foster children
visit the post office and answer some letters to Santa
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