31 Days of Giving: Give Back At Anytime

It’s about 4am and I just finished pumping. Yep! We are past year 1 of breastfeeding and still going! Yay us! It’s times like this (literally) that I start to work or think of what to write.

Today is the first of December, and it’s also #GivingTuesday. I wanted to organize myself this month and truly put my money (and energy) where my mouth is. I’ve compiled a list of giving actions I’d like to complete for myself. While I’m not rich (ha! hello student loans…), I’m still better off than the guy who’s waiting in the lunch line at the local shelter. So are you, if you are reading this blog.

I’m sharing my list with you – to keep me accountable and to offer ideas if you’re looking to do this, too.

31 Days of Giving

Note: you don’t have to do these in order. Just pick something, do it and make a difference.

1. Write a note of appreciation or gratitude to someone you haven’t spoken to in a while.
2. In the same vein, write a note of appreciation or gratitude to someone you see all the time.
3. Pay it forward – we don’t have a lot of toll highways in LA, but we have drive-thru Starbucks and Coffee Beans. Pay for the person behind you.
4. Make toiletry kits from all the spare toiletries you’ve accumulated from hotels/travel and donate them to the local shelter. (Or keep spare kits in the car, in case you run into a person who could use one.)
5. Take your old yoga mat and towels to the local animal shelter.
6. Hold the door open for someone.
7. Find out if your employer matches donations. Then donate and so you can double your impact for the charity of your choice.
8. Throw a couple quarters into a parking meter that’s about to expire.
9. Go through your closet and donate the stuff that doesn’t fit. Ie. The “fat” or “skinny” clothes.
10. Bring the donuts (insert other breakfast-y item) for the office/team.
11. Share a compliment about someone via social media.
12. Pick up random trash in your path.
13. Compile all your old exercise equipment and donate them (or schedule for pick-up).
14. Toss the neighbor’s newspaper that’s lying on the sidewalk on to their porch.
15. Donate food (non-perishable items) to the local shelter or food pantry.
16. Make an appointment and donate blood.
17. Donate to your local NPR station.
18. Pull all your old shoes you don’t wear anymore and donate them.
19. Write a recommendation for someone on LinkedIn.
20. Donate your old glasses locally.
21. Offer to babysit.
22. Give your old coffee maker (and other appliances) to a transitional housing shelter.
23. Trash day? Pull the garbage cans back in for a neighbor.
24. Learn how to make something gluten-free, vegan, and/or allergen-free for someone.
25. Order cookies for the local fire station or police station or community center staff.
26. Are you a blogger like me? Share a fellow blogger’s article that you like via social media. Help amplify their reach with your reach.
27. Coordinate a drive for a nonprofit: adopt-a-family, food drive, clothing drive, toy drive…
28. Contact a nonprofit – volunteer/donate your expertise.
29. Going back to the first two, write a note of gratitude to a “Facebook friend” and be genuine about it.
30. Grab all those old books and donate them to the library.
31. Take the $5 you were going to spend on Starbucks today and donate it to a local food bank. ($1 = 4 meals.)

There you have it. That’s my list this month. We start today on #givingtuesday.

What other ways to give can you add here? What else have you done that I can share here? 

** Will you join me this month? **