Community Involvement

Friday, June 10, 2011

by Tony English

With homeownership comes responsibility. As soon as you sign on the dotted line, repairs and maintenance are yours to attend to. How well you care for your home affects not only the appearance of your property, but also affects property values up and down your street.

It goes further than this, however. Homeownership means you are a permanent part of a community. You are the lifeblood of how your neighborhood and city function. A community relies on its members to help those in need and to make sure things get done.

There are hundreds of ways that you can volunteer your time in your own community. Here are few ideas to get you started.

American Red Cross: Volunteers constitute 96 percent of their total work force to carry on their humanitarian work. If you like to help people you have come to the right place. Your local Red Cross unit could have just the opportunity – from training to be and ready to respond to disasters to supporting a blood drive from delivering messages to US service personnel to connecting families displaced by disasters or conflict. Visit redcross.org/en/volunteer.
Goodwill/Salvation Army. From disasters to hard times, there are many families with less than they need. By donating your extra items to these local establishments, you are helping those less fortunate.
Big Brothers/Big Sisters: Mentoring one-to-one has shown amazing benefits for children. Not every child has someone to be their role model. What if every child fulfilled his or her potential? Don't have the time needed for this type of commitment? Consider making a donation at bbbs.org.
Relay for Life and local "walks": Sponsored by the American Cancer Society, Relay for Life raises funds to help find a cure for cancer. You can visit relayforlife.org for more information. Additionally, your community may have sponsored walks for local causes. So, get moving and make a difference!
MADD: Mothers against drunk driving is a great cause that helps raise awareness about the dangers and risks of drunk driving. One in three people will be involved in an alcohol-related crash in their lifetime. According to the organization, "Volunteers are the heart and soul of MADD. It is their compassion and determination that drives the organization and it is their tireless efforts that have accomplished so much. Join these ordinary citizens who have become extraordinary activists in saving lives."
School fundraisers. Students need their community's help funding everything from sports leagues, drama clubs, and trips, to new equipment for the school. Do your part by taking advantage of bake drives, candy sales, and magazines drives. Or make a donation to their worthy cause.
Stay current on taxes and registration: Your community benefits from state and local tax dollars. By staying current on property taxes and vehicle registration, you are doing your part to help fund community programs, road maintenance, and schools.
Be Neighborly. Neighborhood watch meetings are a great way to show your support of your area and to do your part in keeping your homes safe.
Local sporting events. Many high schools and local youth sports leagues rely heavily on ticket and concession sales to fund their teams and trips. Support your local team and have a night out on the town!
HOA board: Your HOA may need volunteers to help balance finances, organize events, and help enforce HOA rules. As a board member you can help your neighborhood run smoothly and fairly.
Run for city office: Are you looking to make a change on a larger scale? By taking part in city politics you can help influence change. If you don't hold an elected position, you can still attend meetings and vote on important matters.