Whether it's reconstructing a playground, visiting an elderly home, or clearing trash from a nearby creek, a community service project is an excellent way to bring about change on a small, intimate level. But before grabbing the work gloves, make sure that your project has a specific focus. Here are some ideas to help get the project started.
Neighborhood Enhancement
- Help people paint and repair their homes.
- Volunteer to clean up trash around a neighborhood.
- Create a mural that depicts values of your community.
- Set up an art exhibit at a local business, sell the creations, and use the money to fund a cause in your community.
- Collect supplies for persons who have been victims of a fire or other disaster.
- Plant a community garden.
- Organize a campaign to raise money for new playground equipment, or reconstruct the playground yourself.
- Share your skills! Volunteer to teach a class at a community center.
- When fall comes around, distribute leaf bags and offer to assist neighbors with raking their yards.
- Campaign for additional lighting along poorly lit streets.
Special Needs
- Volunteer at a Special Olympics event.
- Work with kids who have special needs on an art project.
- Set up a buddy system with the special needs program at your school.
- Raise money to purchase Braille books, large print books or other needed materials for the special needs program at a local school or community center.
- Make gifts with friends for kids in the hospital. Distribute Valentines, Halloween candy, or Christmas treats/toys.
- Build a ramp for a person in a wheelchair to make their house more accessible.
- Volunteer to read books or newspapers to those who are visually impaired.
- Visit a local care center to learn more about those with special needs, and ask how you can help.
- Recruit some friends or a class to help set up a library at a children's hospital.
- Create a pamphlet that includes helpful tips concerning the respect of and interaction with people who have special needs.
