Help Your Neighbor
Are you looking for ways to make the world a better place? Your actions do matter. Please remember that people need help every day, and you can make a difference. Here are some of the many ways you can help:
* Make a financial donation. This is a link to PayPal, an organization which will allow you to make all sorts of payments without sharing the details of your financial world. PayPal is currently offering options to send funds to help the victims of Hurricane Harvey, which has hit--and, in many ways, is continuing to hit--Texas.
* Donate your time and talents. Helping organizations always need helping hands. If this describes you, then find a place that feels like a good fit for you. This helps you, and will also help the agencies and the people who rely upon them. Here are three sites that will help you find a place to share your shine:
* Volunteer.gov America's Natural and Cultural Resources Volunteer Portal. Helps you connect with federally-protected groups or locations, and help support a culture or place. Built and maintained by the Federal Interagency Team on Volunteerism.
* VolunteerMatch.com Vows to help consumers "find a cause that lights you up"! You can search by interest, physical area, or name of nonprofit. Note that some of the volunteer opportunities offered are virtual.
* CreatetheGood.org An offshoot of AARP, this site offers a newsletter, as well as a search engine that will help you find and request further information regarding volunteer opportunities of interest to you. Note that some of the volunteer opportunities offered are virtual.
* Volunteer with Hospice. Gilchrist Hospice is one of the largest Hospice centers in Maryland. The end of life is a time when we are offered an opportunity to learn acceptance, to accept that our lives had meaning, and share that meaning with others. I have volunteered for Hospice, and I can certainly say that it is an experience unparalleled by any other. Come and be part of an intimate exchange that is as honest and meaningful as it is powerful.
* Volunteer with House of Ruth. House of Ruth is a place where women are sheltered from intimate partner violence. In many ways, this respite offers space and the opportunity to rebuild.
* Volunteer.gov America's Natural and Cultural Resources Volunteer Portal. Helps you connect with federally-protected groups or locations, and help support a culture or place. Built and maintained by the Federal Interagency Team on Volunteerism.
* VolunteerMatch.com Vows to help consumers "find a cause that lights you up"! You can search by interest, physical area, or name of nonprofit. Note that some of the volunteer opportunities offered are virtual.
* CreatetheGood.org An offshoot of AARP, this site offers a newsletter, as well as a search engine that will help you find and request further information regarding volunteer opportunities of interest to you. Note that some of the volunteer opportunities offered are virtual.
* Volunteer with Hospice. Gilchrist Hospice is one of the largest Hospice centers in Maryland. The end of life is a time when we are offered an opportunity to learn acceptance, to accept that our lives had meaning, and share that meaning with others. I have volunteered for Hospice, and I can certainly say that it is an experience unparalleled by any other. Come and be part of an intimate exchange that is as honest and meaningful as it is powerful.
* Volunteer with House of Ruth. House of Ruth is a place where women are sheltered from intimate partner violence. In many ways, this respite offers space and the opportunity to rebuild.
* Donate food or clothing.
* Maryland Food Bank Donates food across 21 counties of Maryland, as well as Baltimore City.
* New Life Food Pantry Provides meals and pantry items, and assists in connecting consumers to addiction recovery services. Volunteer your time in the kitchen, donate food for the pantry, or donate funds for their programming.
* The Door (Baltimore Urban Leadership Foundation) Provides a once-a-month emergency food basket to individuals and families in need.
* Dress For Success accepts your donations of gently-used clothing and money to help women obtain appropriate clothing for the workplace.
* Maryland New Direction accepts your donations of gently-used clothing to help men and women obtain appropriate clothing for the workplace.
* Suntopia lists public and private organizations that offer free and reduced-cost clothing and household goods in the Baltimore area.
* Great Nonprofits Helps consumers find charities and nonprofits, as well as volunteering and donation opportunities.
* Forbes has a massive compilation of links to articles and agencies. Some Hurricane Harvey information is included.
* The DonationTown website will help you find a nonprofit charity that can pick up your clothing and household items.
* Maryland Food Bank Donates food across 21 counties of Maryland, as well as Baltimore City.
* New Life Food Pantry Provides meals and pantry items, and assists in connecting consumers to addiction recovery services. Volunteer your time in the kitchen, donate food for the pantry, or donate funds for their programming.
* The Door (Baltimore Urban Leadership Foundation) Provides a once-a-month emergency food basket to individuals and families in need.
* Dress For Success accepts your donations of gently-used clothing and money to help women obtain appropriate clothing for the workplace.
* Maryland New Direction accepts your donations of gently-used clothing to help men and women obtain appropriate clothing for the workplace.
* Suntopia lists public and private organizations that offer free and reduced-cost clothing and household goods in the Baltimore area.
* Great Nonprofits Helps consumers find charities and nonprofits, as well as volunteering and donation opportunities.
* Forbes has a massive compilation of links to articles and agencies. Some Hurricane Harvey information is included.
* The DonationTown website will help you find a nonprofit charity that can pick up your clothing and household items.
Help animals. These are just a few of many wonderful organizations that would love to have you as part of their team!
* I have a bias about BARCS, because my cat, one of the great loves of my life, was discovered there. Through BARCS, you can adopt animals, learn care tips, obedience training and more. They need volunteers, equipment, financial resources and more.
* The Animal Humane Society wants to improve animal welfare. You can help.
* Baltimore County would appreciate hearing from anyone who has a passion for working with animals.
* The Maryland SPCA says that their volunteers are invaluable. Contact them to be part of a helping experience with an organization that knows your worth.
* I have a bias about BARCS, because my cat, one of the great loves of my life, was discovered there. Through BARCS, you can adopt animals, learn care tips, obedience training and more. They need volunteers, equipment, financial resources and more.
* The Animal Humane Society wants to improve animal welfare. You can help.
* Baltimore County would appreciate hearing from anyone who has a passion for working with animals.
* The Maryland SPCA says that their volunteers are invaluable. Contact them to be part of a helping experience with an organization that knows your worth.
