Change The World

101 WAYS
TO CHANGE THE WORLD
The ability to change the World is

in YOUR hands!
(Revised November 2008)

Written by
Ginny Dye
_________________________
For
Together We Can Change the World
Copyright 2005
Author’s Note:
I am so glad you are reading my E-book. I have a passion to change

the world, and believe that every single person has the power to make a
tremendous difference. Too often you’re just not sure what to do, or how
you can help. I hope these 101 Ideas will propel you to get started, and then
guide you as you move forward.
I’d like to share with you the words of a young person I am close to:
“Ginny, I don’t know why people complain about the world if they’re not going
to do something to change it. They should either put up, or shut up.”
Ouch. He’s a little blunt but he could not be more right. No matter
where you live; how much money you make (or don’t make); whether you are
healthy or sick; whether you are young or old; whether you are busy or have
a lot of free time – YOU can make a difference.
You simply have to CHOOSE to.
From Sandi Valentine, Director of Communication & Publishing:

Thank you for downloading this eBook. As you will soon see, it has been
written for the American audience. If you are not living in America, I hope
you will be forgiving and will change or adapt ideas that will work in your
community or country.
This book is my gift to you because I want to empower

you to BE the Difference in Your World Today!
2
5 Million For Change!
&
5 Million Students For Change!
Together We Can Change The World, Inc. has created the 5 Million For Change
Campaign to mobilize a force of good that will sweep across the globe and create
true sustainable CHANGE on every continent.
It's not just enough to say you want to help create CHANGE - you have to have
the resources and tools to do just that. The Together We Can Change The
World Association has created everything you need - giving it to you totally
FREE as our contribution to CHANGE.
_____________________________
14 E-books in the 101 Ways Series
More books through Together We Can Change The World Publishing
Powerful Movies & Songs
E-Cards
Personal Online Shopping Mall
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Prints & Posters
_____________________________
Will you RAISE YOUR HAND and become part of 5 Million For Change or 5
Million Students For Change??
www.5MillionForChange.com
www.5MillionStudentsForChange.com
The 5 Million For Change Pledge is on the next page:
3
5 Million For Change Pledge
I raise my hand for 5 Million For Change.
I will take time TODAY to make a difference in

the world.
I will take time TODAY to do one thing – for one

person.
I will take time TODAY to spread some love &

caring in my world.
One thing – TODAY.
EVERYDAY!
Nothing is too small. Nothing is too big.
It is only important to take Action.
I will take time TODAY – to ACT – to create

CHANGE!
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Many ways you can make a difference
won’t cost you a thing!
1) Spend an afternoon with someone you know is lonely.

You don’t have to make it just once. Lonely people
are in need of friendship. Decide to drop by every
week. Send them notes. Become a lifeline for just
that one person.
2) Look around and find a kid who needs to know they matter – there are
way too many of them. Now determine to make that kid know someone
believes they are special. Send them a card or note every week (at
least). If you know what they are interested in, send them articles
about it. Send them stories that will build their self-confidence and
inspire them to be all they can be. Let them know you CARE.
3) If you have flowers in your garden, share them with

someone else. Take a bunch to an elderly neighbor
who can no longer garden. Take some to a friend going
through a hard time. Drop them off at a neighbor’s
house “just because”.
4) If you provide some kind of professional service, offer it for FREE once
a week to someone who needs it. Free dental cleaning; Free house
cleaning; Free meal at your restaurant; Free accounting service. Let
your profession also be your way of giving.
5) Give anonymous, surprise gifts to co-workers or friends – with a note

telling them they matter. It doesn’t have to be much. A candy bar; one
cookie; a flower; something you have lying around your house. Every
time, it will be the fun of knowing someone cares that will make their
life better.
6) Take your lunch break to clean up trash. Enlist the help of other
employees to do the same.
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7) Go out with your family at least 1 hour a week to clean up trash around
your neighborhood, on your road, or somewhere else you know needs
cleaning up.
8) Enlist the help of neighborhood kids to clean up your neighborhood, or

some other place, by offering to chauffeur them somewhere they want
to go as their reward. Please receive parental permission before taking
children anywhere.
9) Do you have a pool in your backyard? Offer to

host a swim party for the neighborhood kids after
they spend half a day cleaning up some area.
10) Go to your local bowling alley, skating rink, amusement park, etc. and
ask them to give you FREE coupons you can share with kids who need to
know someone cares. Put the coupons in a special card or note that will
let them know they are important.
Many of the bad things happening in our world

are done by people who never believed they
mattered. No one took the time to let them know
they are special. Just that one act – changing a
person’s anger and sadness with your love – can
have a far reaching impact!
11) Send at least one email a day telling someone how much they are
appreciated; thanking them for something they did for you; or telling
them something you like about them.
12) Send a note of appreciation to your local police

station or Fire House. That doesn’t happen nearly
enough.
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13) Volunteer for at least 1 hour a week at a local organization that needs
your help. If you like elderly people, volunteer at a Senior Center or
Nursing Home. If you like kids, volunteer your time with them. No
matter what your interest is, there is a group who could use your help.
Find them!
14) Donate your obsolete cell phones to a Homeless

Shelter or a Shelter for Battered Women. They
can still be used to make 911 Calls – giving a lifeline
to someone who may desperately need it.
15) Gather all your old eyeglasses and donate them to the Lions Club. If
you can’t find one go onto the Internet and type “Place to donate old
eyeglasses to”. There are plenty.
16) Take this a step further and go around your neighborhood to collect
old eyeglasses. Remember those kids you’re going to do something for
when they clean the neighborhood? Enlist them to help with your
Eyeglasses campaign. You’ll get help; they’ll learn a valuable lesson in
making a difference; and everyone will get to have some fun
17) Put a Thank You note and a cookie in the box for your Paper Delivery
person.
18) Put a big glass jar on your counter. Have everyone in your family (even
if it’s just you) use it for all their loose change. Every 6 months decide
who you are going to give it to – making a family ritual out of the event.
19) Offer to baby-sit for a single Mom who is

at her wit’s end.
20) Mow your neighbor’s yard while they are

at work.
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21) Contact your local Habitat for Humanity. Offer
to help with building their next home. No, you
don’t have to be a builder – anyone can help create
a home for a family who would not have one
otherwise!
22) Become an Email Pen Pal with someone. It could be a kid in a detention
center; someone in a Nursing Home; someone who has Special Needs and
can’t leave home; a Foster child… It is so easy to send Daily Emails in
order to make a difference in someone’s life.
23) If you have an old computer that still works take it

to an elderly neighbor, then commit to teaching them
how to operate it enough to send and receive email.
Give them a connection to the world. What a great
way for them to be connected to their family that is
probably online. Their kids and grandkids will think
they are so cool, and be so impressed that they mastered the computer!
While you’re at it become an E-mail Pen Pal with them yourself!
24) Help someone who is elderly or sick by helping them around their
home. You could paint; garden; mow lawn; shovel snow; take out trash.
Just look around. You’ll be able to discover what needs to be done.
It’s not the size of what you do that matters. It is

simply that you chose to do it. The energy that pulsates
through the Universe when people give has the power to
change the world. We just have to get enough energy
flowing through Millions of People committed to
changing their world in one small way EVERY day!
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25) Contact your local school district and ask how you can help. You may
be mentoring a child; helping them study; reading out loud; monitoring
the lunch room… Whatever it is, it is valuable. Our kids truly are our
future. We can’t do too much for them NOW!
26) Here’s a fun one… If you have an air compressor put a

big sign in your yard that says “Checking Air Pressure
for FREE”. As people drive through do what the sign
says, then air up their tires. As they leave give them a
copy of this book, or just direct them to the Together We Can Change
the World website so they can come up with their own cool ways to
make a difference.
27) Teach a FREE class at the YMCA/YWCA in your

area.
28) Teach a FREE class on Changing Your World at

your local community college. Let their homework assignments be doing
something to make a difference each week, then coming back to report
on the impact. The final homework assignment will be working together
as a class to do some big project in the community. What a great way
to make friends and make a difference at the same time!
29) Do the exact same thing at a local Elementary, Middle or High School.
What a great way to multiply your impact – as well as teaching our youth
to make a difference!
30) Take someone a tomato plant in a planter and put it in a sunny spot.
That person will enjoy up to 5 lbs of fresh tomatoes off that one plant.
If they can’t take care of it themselves, then make sure you water it
for them.
When it’s all over, it’s not who you were… It’s whether
your life made a Difference!
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Here are some ideas that will require just a
few dollars investment:
31) Buy daffodil and tulip bulbs in the Fall when they are
cheapest and plant them at your school, church, neighbor's
house, or anywhere else where their beauty can spread
good feelings.
31) Buy a gift certificate for 1 ice cream cone; 1 Cookie; 1

piece of pie; 1 rose; 1 pizza slice; 1 Video Rental; etc.
It doesn't have to be much to make someone feel special. Include a
note letting the receiver know how special they are. Just think – not
only are you making someone feel special – you are also helping the
businesses in your town.
32) After you've bought several of the "Just 1" Certificates

listed above, let the store owner know what you're doing
and ask if they will donate some for you to extend what
you can give away. Ask around to find out who really needs
an extra boost to feel good and make sure the certificates
find their way into their hands.
33) Form your own "Good Deed Patrol." Watch for people doing something
to make a difference in the community. Listen to conversations to
discover these people. Then talk with your radio station or local
newspaper and ask if they will include a small section in the paper, or a
small spot on the radio programs to say THANK YOU to these people. It
doesn't have to be much. Think how excited someone would be to open
the paper and see a THANK YOU NOTICE to them for something they
did. Don't you think more people would want to be noticed by the "Good
Deed Patrol?"
34) Pay the Road Toll for the person behind you. How about
3 or 4 behind you? Have the Toll Keeper tell them to pass
on the kindness to someone else today.
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35) Buy a few extra items at your grocery store and drop them by the
local homeless shelter or food bank.
36) Have a garage sale and donate the proceeds to your favorite charity.
You'll have to pay for signs and maybe some advertising but it shouldn't
be much.
37) Organize your neighborhood around a cause and have a Neighborhood

Yard Sale. One neighborhood adopted an orphanage in Thailand and
worked together to send thousands of dollars from the garage sale. In
addition to the money they sent, neighbors became closer and new
friends were made.
38) Bake a plate of cookies for a neighbor or elderly friend. Cookies are
appreciated by everyone – so don't stop there!
39) Want to blow someone's mind? Every time someone

is rude or mean to you, respond with kindness. One
lady was treated very rudely by an attendant at her
gas station. She responded by taking him a plate of
cookies and telling him to have a nice day. Now he goes out of his way to
be nice to her.
We all hold the world in our hands. We all have the power
to make a difference. Large or small – we can choose to
be the difference in our world today!
40) Search for ways to compliment people every day. If your waitress
does a good job be sure to tell her. Let the dry cleaning attendant know
he has a great smile. Tell a shop owner if you think her story is nice,
clean, pretty, etc. LOOK for ways to make people feel special.
41) Hold a Homeless Shelter Scavenger Hunt. You'll need a

group of people – the more the better. Next, call a
Homeless Shelter and ask for a list of needs, asking them
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to put the ones they need most, or get the least of, at the top of the
list. Assign points to each item – with the most needed item getting the
most points. Now send everyone out with their list – letting them know
that the team, or the person, that creates the most points with what
they bring in will win the Contest. Either put up a prize yourself or ask a
local restaurant if they will provide a Free meal to the winners. Collect
everything and take it to the Shelter.
42) Do a Toy Drive for your local Battered Women's

Shelter or Homeless Shelter if it has kids. They
don't have to be new. Go around your neighborhood
and ask each family to donate the "in good
condition" toys their kids don't use any more. There
will be tons!
43) Deliver Personal Care items to an elderly neighbor. Maybe they need
you to go to the grocery store on a weekly basis. What can you do to
help them maintain their independence?
44) Be a "Foster Home" for cats & dogs at

your local shelter. Many of them need
homes to live in until they can be adopted
out to the right family.
45) Volunteer to read and play games with children who are in your local
hospital.
46) Do you have great administrative skills? Find out what organization in
your community needs them, and then volunteer to help them out.
47) Start a new tradition by organizing a "Special Kids Day" of fun for
abused children in your neighborhood. Probably
more than anyone else, these kids need to know
they are loved and special.
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Kindness can change the world…
One kind thought,
One kind word,
One kind deed,
One at a time.
And the world will be transformed!
48) If you have kids of your own and you have plans to do something fun,
add at least one kid to your family for the day. There are so many kids
from bad families. Give them a taste of what a good family is like by
including them in your.
49) Develop a team of people (whether family, friends or fellow employees

to refurbish and repair toys that will then be given to needy children.
50) Collect socks for the homeless. One 13-year-old has collected 8,500
pairs to date. What a difference she is making!
51) If you are into quilting or crocheting, why not make a blanket for a
Homeless or Battered Women's Shelter?
52) Collect posters to beautify rooms in Nursing Homes & Shelters.

Beauty always makes a difference!
53) Approach your local performing arts center

to give Free passes to events – the give them
to children in a Safe House or Shelter. Giving
them a chance to see what is in the world
besides the reality of their own situation will
make a huge difference.
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54) Do you sometimes have snow deep enough to cover your fire hydrants?
Make special flags for them to mark their location. If there is ever a
need to locate them it will indeed make a huge difference.
55) Find someone's yard that is horribly overgrown, and then send in a
team to clean it up, taking all the clippings to your local Green Recycling
Center.
56) Paint over violent graffiti.
57) Take daily walks with an elderly neighbor

who doesn't feel comfortable or safe going
out on their own.
58) Invite someone who is lonely to all your family celebrations Make sure
they know you aren't just reaching out to them because they are lonely
– let them know you really WANT them with you. Everyone longs to
know they are important and wanted.
59) Weatherize someone's house for winter with insulation and weather-
stripping on doors and windows.
60) Secure doormats to the floor surface in an elderly person' home.
Your ability to make a difference depends on your choice

to do it. It’s just that simple.
61) Clean the gutters for an elderly or disabled neighbor.
62) Take over a bag of salt to these same neighbors to help with melting
icy stairs and sidewalks.
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63) Birds are always a delight for those who are housebound to watch.
Take over a bird feeder and keep it filled with birdseed. What joy it
will bring!
64) The elderly and homebound often miss out on the

fun of holidays because they aren’t able to handle
the traditions and decorations, yet they usually
have boxes of items that made their holidays
special over the years. Go over, pull out those
boxes and help them decorate – then make sure
you go back to put them all away!
65) Plant a neighborhood garden, with everyone taking part in caring for
it. When the garden is at its peak you’ll be able to make daily trips to
the local Shelters with fresh produce. When the season is over have a
Harvest Block Party to celebrate the difference you made.
66) Do everything you can to conserve Energy and Water. These precious
commodities have an impact on every area of our lives.
67) Do you like to throw parties? Throw a big party and invite as many
people as you can fit. Their “ticket” to the event will be a bag full of
groceries for the local food pantry. Make sure to send along a list of
what the Food Pantry needs most.
68) Contact Amnesty International and start

writing letters to prisoners in foreign
countries. Whether it’s just you, your class,
or your fellow employees – you will make a
huge difference to those receiving the
letters.
69) If you live in an area where there are migrant workers, put together a
program for the children of the workers. Enlist the community center
and area churches to give you a place to meet, then play games, make
crafts, etc. Without a program like this, many of these kids would be
left in hot cars all day while their parents work.
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70) Listen to what one group of classmates did…
Last summer 50 of my classmates and I went to
the Community Center. We painted it, fixed the
chairs, and basketball hoops; we bought some more
balls and equipment with the money we raised from
School Rummage and Bake Sale. We repainted the
lines on the courts and planted some flowering plants in front.
My Dad can repair anything so he and a few of his buddies repaired the
Jungle-Gym, the slide and the swings out back. Then we painted all of
them rainbow colors and weeded the back lot.
We had a lot of fun and I know we made a difference!
There is no greater joy, nor greater reward, than to make

a fundamental difference in someone’s life!
71) If you play a sport, talk to all your teammates and have them bring
in their old equipment. Much of it will still be in great shape. Donate it
to a team in a less fortunate part of town,
or find a group overseas that will be thrilled
to receive the equipment for teams in their
own country that have nothing.
72) If you live on a lake, do your part in keeping it clean. Go out in your
boat and pick up trash and debris in the lake.
73) Is there an area in your community that needs

beautifying? Raise money to buy plants and bulbs –
perennials are best because they keep coming back –
and also ask your local nursery to donate some plants.
Plan a planting day and create beauty in your world.
16
74) Start your own mini-nursery to beautify areas in your community.
Most shrubs can be rooted from a cutting. Ask your local nursery for
extra pots, or let your community know you need them (you’ll get
plenty!). Buy some rooting compound, dip the cuttings, and plant them in
your pots full of potting soil. Don’t be afraid to ask an expert for their
help. When your new plants are established plant them all over town or
in people’s yards. It won’t cost you anything but the rewards will be
huge.
75) In keeping with the idea above, start your own

“Annual Seeding Trays” when it is the right time in
your area. Many people can’t afford to buy plants
from the nursery. You can start them yourself from
seed, and then give them to people in your community.
76) Get a group of friends or colleagues together and give blood. There is
always a need.
77) If you have artistic talent use it to create a

mural for a school, hospital ward, Shelter, etc.
78) Design a website for a local charity.
79) Read to a visually-impaired person. Go to the library and bring them

books on tape – returning them when they are ready for more.
80) Organize a tea party or entertainment for a local Senior Day Center.
How can I be useful,

Of what service can I be?
There is something inside all of us,
What’s inside of ME?
17
81) Start a school website for students to write on school issues and
needs.
82) Design and maintain a website for your neighborhood to share news
and events.
83) Welcome new neighbors with a home-cooked meal

delivered to their door on the day they move in. Include
a basket with coupons for local restaurants, activities,
etc.
84) Organize a Sports Day for community children. Mix competition and
just plain fun that doesn’t have winning as the objective. Everyone
should be able to enjoy sports – no matter what their skill level is.
85) Build Bird Houses and put them everywhere you can. Inviting extra
birds to your community is always a good thing.
86) Plant trees every where you can!
87) Take old magazines to a Senior

Center or Shelter. If you’re a kid,
take your magazines and Comic Books to your local
doctor’s office or dental office. Kids waiting to see the doctor will
have something interesting to read.
88) In many areas you can’t recycle plastic bags with your regular
recycling. Go around your neighborhood once a month to collect the
plastic bags, then take them to a local grocery store that recycles
them.
89) Choose to buy products that are packaged in recyclable containers.
90) Start a compost pile at your school, and then use it to provide rich soil
for a school garden that will create food for the hungry in your
community. Think how much food and gardening/yard waste can be
composted to make a difference!
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91) Are you good with computers and fixing things? How
about taking discarded computer parts and creating
“new” machines that you can give away to people?
92) Is there someone in your community or family that is
well-known and loved? Do a special project to let them know…
1) Put together a list of questions:
- When, where and why did you get to know this person?
- What famous person do they remind you of?
- What are your favorite memories of this person?
- Etc.
2) Send a copy to as many people who know this person as possible.
3) Gather all the questionnaires and bind them in a book. You’ll
probably receive pictures and other mementos. Include them.
93) Your gift will be a treasure for the rest of their lives!
94) Start your own “50 – 4 – 50 Campaign” when you

turn 50 years old. Instead of just claiming gifts,
walk one mile for each of your 50 years and ask
friends to pledge money in lieu of a birthday gift.
Then send your money to a cause dear to you.
If you’re not a walker it could be biking 50 miles, swimming 50 laps,

writing 50 letters to soldiers – whatever your interest is… turn it into a
way to make a difference!
95) Give Grocery Gift Certificates to the Homeless in your area. Talk to
your local grocery store and have them create Gift Certificates that
exclude alcohol. Then hand them out to Homeless people asking for
help.
96) Create a “Birthday Jar” or a “You’re Special Jar”.

Too often it’s easy to notice the things we DON’T like about people –
the things that irritate us. How about taking the time to come up with all
the reasons we are THANKFUL for the people in our lives?
Here are some ideas:
- You fix things around the house before I even ask
- You help your little brother get dressed in the morning
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- You always have a smile for people
- You keep in shape
Come up with as many as you can – trying for 365 if it’s a Birthday Jar
– but any amount will make a difference to the person receiving it.
Print out the whole list, cut out each entry, and put them in a big jar.
Whether you use an old mayonnaise jar or a beautiful ceramic one, it’s
what inside that will change the world for the person receiving it.
97) Do you play a musical instrument? Offer to teach

someone. Maybe it’s a kid who can’t afford lessons on
their own. Maybe it’s someone who is housebound.
Maybe it’s an elderly person who has always dreamed
of playing the piano – or some other instrument.
98) Put a notice in your local paper or get your local radio to help you with
an “Instrument Drive”. Trust me; there are a lot of musical instruments
lying around in people’s homes that can make a huge difference for the
people I listed above.
99) Make turbans for women undergoing chemotherapy who have lost
their hair. If you like to sew, or are willing to learn something simple
to help others, this is for you. Visit the following webpage for a simple
pattern and easy to follow instructions:
www.sewing.org/enthusiast/html/ec_turban.html
100) Go to www.MakeAChildSmile.org. This wonderful

organization features three new children each month
that are fighting illness. They tell you about the
child, then list a PO box you can send a card or small
gift to. They’ll also send updates as the parents send them in. For the
price of a card and a stamp you can make a huge difference to a child
fighting for their life!
101) Locks of Love is a wonderful way you can make a difference if you
have long hair, or if you are willing to grow your hair. Go to
www.locksoflove.org. This amazing organization provides prosthetic hair
pieces to kids 18 years old and younger who have long term hair loss due
20
to a medical condition. Visit their website to find out what a huge
difference your hair can make!
BONUS IDEAS:
102) RUN to your computer and check out

www.VolunteerMatch.org. But beware...
once you have been here you will never
have an excuse for not volunteering. 
VolunteerMatch is a nonprofit organization with a mission to help
everyone find a great place to volunteer, and offers a variety of online
services to support a community of nonprofit, volunteer and business
leaders committed to civic engagement. Interested volunteers can
enter their ZIP code on the VolunteerMatch home page to quickly find
local volunteer opportunities posted by nonprofit organizations
throughout the United States.
103) Become a Bone Marrow Donor. So many kids and adults die before a
match can be made. There are many ways you can
help. Perhaps the ultimate way to make a difference
is to save a life. As an individual you can:
- Register to be a Donor
- Donate your baby's umbilical cord blood at birth.
- Make a financial contribution through the Marrow Foundation
- Tell friends and family about the need for stem cell donors
- Donate Frequent Flyer Miles to help patients travel to receive
treatment
- Volunteer your time at your local donor center or recruitment
group.
- Donate other blood products, such as whole blood or platelets.
(All transplant patients will need other blood products during
their treatment.)
For more information go to: www.marrow.org
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* * * * * * * * * *
So here you have them… 101+ Ways to Make a Difference. Let me remind
you that all the good ideas and information in the world will not matter at
all if you don’t take ACTION!
Go through this book carefully. Make a list of the ways you

can Make a Difference. Decide what you are going to do on a
Daily, Weekly and Monthly basis. Come up with a plan of how
you can help as an individual; how your family can help; or how
you can join with others at work or in your community to make a
difference.
And finally, if you haven’t already, become part of the 5 Million For
Change Campaign! www.5MillionForChange.com. Join the millions around
the world who are committing to do just one thing each day to make a
difference.
This book is our gift to you because we want to empower you to make a
difference – through your actions AND through your Everyday Spending!
THANK YOU for wanting to BE the Difference in your World!
Ginny Dye
See the next page to find out how to be a part of 5 Million For Change…
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&
_____________________________
E-Cards
Prints & Posters
_____________________________
23

the world.

person.

caring in my world.
EVERYDAY!

CHANGE!
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101 Ways to Change
The World for Animals

By
Ginny Dye & Sandi Valentine
with Shawn Dowdy
For
Together We Can Change The World, Inc.
Together We Can Change The World Publishing
From the Authors:
There is just something that pulls on our heart-strings when we see an
animal being mistreated or abused. As youngsters we were surprised
when we were more upset at the movies when an animal was depicted as
being hurt or in danger than when a human was!
Whose heart doesn't soften at the sight of a kitten, puppy or foal? We're
instinctively drawn to a nest of chirping chicks, ducklings paddling madly
after their mother, or a tiny chimp clinging to a parent.
This book is dedicated to animals – wild and domesticated. Our lives are
richer because of them. They deserve our respect and protection.
We barely scratch the surface in this little book. Even so, we hope it will
inspire your awareness and support of those organizations who are
working tirelessly on behalf of the animals in our world.
You will find links to websites and organizations from our online research
for your convenience. We are not endorsing any of these groups or sites,
nor are they endorsing us. We are simply offering them to you for your
further study and/or research.
Ginny & Sandi
2
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E-Cards
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the world.

person.

caring in my world.
EVERYDAY!

CHANGE!
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101 Ways to Change the
World for Animals
Domesticated Animals
1) Instead of purchasing a dog or cat from a pet store,

seriously consider adopting one from a rescue shelter. The animals there
have been abandoned or rejected and in many cases face death if not
adopted. There are also groups that rescue dogs of just one breed and
make them available. Try a search on your favorite search engine to find
one if you "must have" a certain breed.
2) Choose a pet that fits your lifestyle. Before you acquire any
kind of animal, do some in-depth research on
pets that interest you. If you travel a lot,
you'll want an animal that doesn't need as
much affection and can be left for periods of
time. If you have allergies, you'll want an
animal that won't trigger allergy attacks.
Don't choose an animal just because it melts
your heart or you think it would be "cool" to
have. Do your due diligence and discover the
animal that will enrich your life as well as be
the best fit for your way of living.
3) If you have to leave your pet with a volunteer pet

sitter, make sure you take time to explain your pet‟s routine and leave
written instructions. Leave an adequate supply of food, an exercise
routine, grooming instructions, veterinarian and emergency clinic
numbers. Inform PetNet of your temporary contact information, and leave
your itinerary and phone numbers if possible. Make sure your pet is
wearing a collar and tag and has had all vaccinations. This will help with
identification should your pet become lost. Be sure to call your sitter to
check on how your pet is doing.
5
4) Instead of a pet sitter you may be able to enlist the
help of a neighbor who can drop in a few times a day to feed, water
and exercise your pet. A responsible, trustworthy person is the best choice
for this important duty. Some students take care of pets as a summer job.
Make sure to get references.
5) Professional Pet Sitters are also an excellent

alternative to sending your pet to a kennel. This is a very good option,
especially for cats that don‟t do well out of their home environments.
Often persons offering this service are listed in the Yellow Pages, but you
may be better off asking friends and relatives for recommendations.
Always check references - someone who is bonded is recommended.
6) If you have to leave your pet in a kennel, know what to

look for:
 Are cages large enough and are they clean?
 Is water available for your pet at all times?
 Do kennel owners insist that all pets have all their vaccinations?
 How often will your pet be exercised and what kind of exercise do
they receive?
 Is the boarding agreement complete and satisfactory to you?
 Is there a vet on call 24 hours? Check with the doctor‟s office to
verify.
7) Traveling with pets can be rewarding if

certain precautions are taken. Things to do if
you take your pet with you:
 Keep complete ID and rabies tags on your
pet at all times.
 Carry current health and vaccination
certificates.
 Make sure your hotel accepts pets and
book well in advance.
 Take a pet carrier or crate with you and do
not leave your pet alone in a hotel room
without familiar toys and bedding. A lonely, scared pet in unfamiliar
surroundings can cause damage if left alone.
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8) If you travel by car, you can enjoy a trip with your
pet. Be sure to take some extra time and prepare your pet for the trip
beforehand so everyone has an enjoyable time. Make sure your pet is
used to traveling in a car before you start a lengthy road trip. Take him on
a number of short rides to accustom him to the motion of the car. Don‟t
expect him to become accustomed to the car during vacation – the trip
will be miserable for everyone, especially your pet.
9) Never leave your pet in a car in warm weather.

Temperatures can skyrocket in a very short period of time and endanger
the life of your pet. Remember - heat can quickly kill or do irreparable
harm. Don‟t take a chance with your pet‟s life by leaving her in a car.
10) If you are taking a car trip with your pet, don‟t feed her
for a few hours before the trip. Be sure to bring along fresh water and a
familiar bowl to refresh her during breaks. And take plenty of exercise
breaks for you and your pet – you‟ll both benefit by feeling more
refreshed.
11) If you take your pet camping or into any unfamiliar

territory, keep his collar and ID tag
on at all times. It‟s best to keep him on a
leash too, so he doesn‟t get lost or confused in
unfamiliar surroundings. Encounters with wild
animals like skunks or raccoons can be dangerous
to pets, especially ones not used to being
outdoors.
12) If you have a pet that spends a majority of his time

outdoors, make sure he has adequate shelter to protect him from sun
and heat. Kennels or cages need to be located in shaded areas and should
be well ventilated. Make sure he has clean, fresh water available all the
time.
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13) On especially hot days, don’t let pets over-exert
themselves. If you see signs of heat stress – disorientation, excessive
panting, staring, an anxious expression, or weakness – take your pet to a
cool area and gradually lower her temperature by immersing her
paws in cold water or hosing her down. Call your vet immediately.
14) Take good care of your pet’s paws. Avoid walking your
pet on hot asphalt in the warmer months - it can burn their paws, so stay
on grass or the sidewalk. During the winter, remove ice and snow from
paws and coat at once to prevent frostbite. Frostbitten skin turns reddish,
gray or white, and it may be scaly or sloughing. To thaw frostbitten areas,
take your pet to a warm place immediately. Slowly thaw frostbitten skin
by applying warm moist towels and changing them frequently. Continue
until areas appear flushed. Contact your vet as soon as possible. Remove
snow removal salt from pet‟s paws immediately. It can burn paws and
make your pet sick when they lick their paws. Kitty litter is less hazardous
to use. Keep these products stored in tightly covered containers and out
of the reach of children.
15) Cats like to find warm places to curl

up and take a nap, and unfortunately, they
sometimes climb onto car engines. To prevent
injuries or death, knock on the hood and honk
the horn before starting your car. Make sure cats
are in the clear.
"Teaching a child not to

step on a caterpillar is
as valuable to the child
as it is to the
caterpillar."
~Bradley Millar
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How Will You Benefit By Getting Involved?
Volunteering will mean so much to the animals and organizations you

help, but it will also benefit you in so many ways. This one area could be
many pages long, but we‟re just going to hit the highlights.
 The knowledge you are helping your community
 Make important networking contacts
 Improve business skills or learn new ones
 Build self-esteem and confidence
 Improve health (research shows volunteers are healthier)
 Increase happiness by service
 Meet new people and make new friends
 Feel needed and valued
 Know you are making a difference in an animal's life
 Give you an ability to express gratitude for what someone may

have done for you in the past
 Have fun
 Allow you to live out your fantasies by doing community service

that taps into your “inner person”
 Provide your family with meaningful activity
 Develop leadership skills
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16) Did you know that if you shave pets in the summer, they
can actually get sunburned? If you must shave them, do it early in the
summer before it gets too hot and save them from the discomfort. And be
sure to keep them out of direct sunlight as much as possible.
17) Keep your pet’s heartworm prevention medicine up

to date especially in the summer when hordes of ravenous mosquitoes are
present. Get more information from your vet. You can purchase from your
veterinarian and also from most pet stores. Consider using
www.MyPowerMall.com or www.ShopForCharityDay.com and
benefit your favorite cause at the same time!
18) Prevent fleas and ticks from infesting your pet and
home by using regular applications of flea prevention medicine. It is
much easier now to keep pets protected by using over-the-counter, long
term protection obtained either through your vet, pet store or reputable
internet source. (Check www.MyPowerMall.com or
www.ShopForCharityDay.com for many pet supply stores that deliver
right to your door.)
19) Dogs cannot sweat and can become dangerously

hot very quickly in the summer. Plenty of water should be available at all
times, but especially in hot weather. Water in a pet‟s bowl should be
clean, changed often and kept in a cool, shady place. During the summer
when you and your dog exercise, take along a portable water container
for each of you. Dehydration is a very real danger to you and your pet!
20) Microchips are a valuable means of

permanent identification for your pets.
Owner information is immediately available, ensuring
the swift return of your pet in case he strays. Your
pet receives a unique ID number that is entered into
the National Database, PETtrac. The service is
available 24/7, 365 days a year. Veterinarians implant
the microchip with no more discomfort than a routine
immunization and it is completely safe. Registration is
included with the microchip implant – there are no
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annual fees to worry about, but lots of peace of mind that your pet is
protected.
21) Spay or neuter your pet to help prevent unwanted

litters. This procedure also lessens the risk of false pregnancy and
reproductive cancer. Roaming away from home is also less of a problem.
There are organizations that help if the cost is a problem. Check with your
vet or local humane society.
22) Plenty of exercise for your dog helps

curb boredom, which can lead to behavioral
problems. It also keeps her lean and trim. Basic
obedience training also encourages good behavior.
When your dog knows what you expect from her,
she will gladly give it to you. Well-trained dogs
are welcome wherever they go.
23) Crate training your dog can, and should be, a happy,
positive experience for your pet. He will come to feel that his crate
is a good, safe place for him to be. Crates should be large enough for an
adult dog to be able completely stand, turn around and stretch out full
length. If trained to a crate in a positive manner, your dog will come to
prefer being in his crate to sleep and when alone. Consult your
veterinarian for more advice.
24) Ensure your cat’s safety and a long healthy life, by

keeping him indoors. Outdoor cats are exposed to the elements,
accidents and disease, poison, abuse, fights with other animals, theft and
loss; not to mention fleas, ticks, worms and other diseases and parasites.
The average age of an outdoor cat is three years. The lifespan of indoor
cats is approximately 15 years. So by keeping your cat indoors, you can
lengthen his life and your relationship by many years. Isn‟t that a great
reason to keep your cat inside?
25) Your cat will live a longer, healthier

life indoors and you will help keep a measure of
peace in your neighborhood! Some distractions and
destruction outdoor cats can cause:
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 a nuisance to your neighbors
 disruptive, noisy cat fights
 indiscriminate breeding by cats that haven‟t been neutered
 they get into garbage
 they hunt and kill wildlife
Choosing the Right Cause
Be Selective
It is important to think about what is important to you, and be selective

about where you invest your time and energy. Choosing opportunities
that make you feel good while also helping others will enrich your own
life at the same time you are helping animals – whether in your
community or throughout the world. There will always be more people
& organizations that need your help than you can help. Accept that
reality and choose those projects you are most closely connected to –
while encouraging others to step up to the plate to help the ones you
can‟t.
If you have a local Volunteer Center this is a good place to start. They
are great at connecting organizations with those eager to help. You can
also just open your phone book and look for Animal Organizations, etc.
Research Causes
It is not enough to find an organization or project that needs help. It is

wise to research the project to make sure it fits within your values.
Don‟t be afraid to take a look at their financial records to be sure your
investment of time and money will be well handled. Most community
organizations work under intense pressure from a position of great
integrity, but it doesn‟t hurt to make sure of that yourself.
It is also wise to determine how the organization wants you to help. Do

they take the necessary safety precautions?
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Another area to research is whether you are the right fit for this
organization. Do you have the skills they are looking for? If learning
new skills is necessary, will these skills help you in other areas of your
life? Will your schedule and time allotments mesh with the needs of the
organization?
Be Realistic
While you may be eager to help everyone who comes to you with a need,
you won‟t be able to. Determine just how much time you have to give to
your project, and then stick to that schedule. Doing so will assure you are
eager to work on your project for years to come!
More World Changer Ideas
26) A good way to allow your cat to be outdoors is to

harness train him so you can supervise his outdoor visits. Begin
training at 6-7 months of age and have your cat spayed or neutered first.
This will enhance his ability to concentrate and reduce his desire to roam.
More details about harness training a cat are available on the U.S.
Humane Society website.
27) Cats use their claws to climb, scratch, hunt and

defend themselves. Using them for scratching is natural and
normal. But claws can cause a problem when used to scratch
objects owners consider valuable. It is almost impossible to
prevent cats from scratching, and unfortunately, this
behavior will sometimes lead to the owner giving the cat
up to a shelter or having the cat declawed. To help
prevent cats from clawing furniture, carpets, clothes, etc.,
try a few other strategies before declawing. It may be
as simple as routinely trimming your cat‟s nails. Sprays
that are unpleasant smelling to cats can help; test an
inconspicuous spot before spraying on furniture. Cats
don‟t like citrus peels; place some of them around the area
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used for scratching. A sturdy, well-placed scratching post will help (see
#28 below); covering inappropriate objects with aluminum foil, double-
sided tape, or a plastic carpet runner with the pointed side up, are all
good deterrents to this destructive behavior.
28) Sturdy scratching posts can help deter cats from

destroying valuable objects in your home. But getting a cat to use the
scratching post is another story! Make sure the post is large enough and
weighty enough to withstand the onslaught of kitty attacks. If the post is
wobbly, or tips easily, the cat won‟t use it. Attach it to a sturdier bottom
or wedge the base under a piece of furniture to make it more stable. Try
rubbing catnip on a post to attract the cat to begin using it. Use sturdy
sewing elastic to hang a favorite toy from the top - make using the
scratching post fun for kitty.
29) One idea for a great scratching post is to wrap a 4-foot

wooden ladder in un-oiled rope, placing a couple of platforms for kitty to
perch on. It takes quite a bit of effort and about 600 feet of un-oiled
manila rope to wrap the ladder, but the payoff may be a kitty that is more
interested in using it than the furniture for scratching! (This idea comes
from the „original cat ladder‟ by Anne Kolaczyk‟s Cat Ladder webpage.)
30) Declawing a cat should be the very last option used to

deter scratching – used only after all other options have been tried for a
reasonable length of time and have failed. Declawing is irreversible and is
performed under general anesthesia by a veterinarian.
Be aware that immediately after surgery, restricting your cat‟s activity,
especially jumping, may be difficult to do.
Other special care is also needed after the surgery, so

be sure to consult your vet before making a final
decision. Cats that undergo the declawing procedure
may occasionally experience post-operative
discomfort and complications. The cat may also
become reclusive, irritable, aggressive and
unpredictable – which may be more of a problem
to owners than the scratching!
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A special invitation to join the
BE the Difference Club
Would you like weekly ideas on ways to make a difference in your

community and in our world?
How about easy ways to benefit your favorite group or organization?
Join the BE the Difference Club and get your free e-zine subscription.
Sign up is free, quick and easy at:
www.TogetherWeCanChangeTheWorld.com
Every Tuesday we publish an e-zine (an email newsletter) that contains

ideas on how to change the world, stories and tips on how to make real-
life differences in your community, just plain fun items, and information
on promotions happening in our various divisions:
www.TogetherWeCanChangeThe WorldDay
www.MyPowerMall
www.ShopForCharityDay
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31) Proper grooming should be an important part of every

cat or dog‟s life. It allows the pet‟s skin to breathe and keeps them
looking their best and feeling well cared for. It also gives you an
opportunity to check for fleas and any other problems that might go
unnoticed if grooming is neglected. Keep up a daily or weekly regimen of
grooming and enjoy the extra time spent with your pet.
32) Keep chocolate out of reach of your dog. Chocolate is

poisonous to dogs and they can die if they ingest a large quantity. The
holidays are times to be particularly aware of your dog‟s eating habits. Call
your vet immediately to prevent serious consequences if your dog "pigs
out" on chocolate.
33) Animals, like humans, are attracted to sweets.

Antifreeze tastes sweet, but it is poisonous, so quickly clean up any spills
that occur. Better yet, use the "pet safe" variety of antifreeze. Even small
amounts of antifreeze can be fatal to animals, so precautions are needed
with all antifreeze products. Keep containers tightly closed and out of the
reach of pets and children.
34) In winter, increase the fat in diets of

animals that go outside in bad weather, even
for short periods of time. Your pet will need
extra calories to keep warm, so feed them
accordingly when temperatures begin to drop.
The extra fat will help maintain your pet‟s
body heat.
35) Provide proper shelter for your outdoor pets. A warm,

insulated pet house or shelter is preferable to keep them comfortable in
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different weather conditions. Elevate the house enough that moisture
cannot enter; provide a door (maybe canvas) to keep out winter winds;
wind can also be blocked from pens using bales of hay or straw.
Stretching canvas over the top of a pet‟s pen helps too. If wind chill or
other factors become severe, bring your pet indoors to protect him and
keep him warm.
36) Support your favorite pet or wildlife charity by

shopping for all your pet needs in your own My Power Mall
(www.MyPowerMall.com). You can even shop for all your human
needs too and help others at the same time! What better way to help
change the world for all animals?
37) Bones have always been used as

treats for dogs, but they can cause many
problems to our faithful pets. Stomachs and intestinal
tracts can be cut or blocked by bones that splinter or
become lodged in these areas. Use nylon pet treats
instead as a healthier, safer alternative.
38) Rabbits make excellent house pets because they are very
social, interactive animals. Like all pets, they do require some special care
and attention to keep them happy. If you are unable to be with your
rabbit for long stretches of time, you might consider getting two. They will
be good company for each other. Spay or neuter rabbits just as you would
any other pet to prevent litters, spraying and other problems.
39) Regularly groom your rabbit to prevent the

possibility of hairballs. Rabbits need lots of exercise; so don‟t
confine them to cages or hutches 24 hours a day. They also need annual
check-ups and emergency care if ill. Since rabbits are
naturally clean animals, they can be trained to use a
litter box, like cats. They like a healthy varied diet -
pair high quality pellet food with fresh veggies and
some fruit. Leafy green veggies like kale, dark green
leaf lettuces, occasional carrots, sweet potato and
apple slices provide variety. A pile of leafy greens about
the size of the rabbit‟s body should be fed to them each day. Leaving
17
pellets out all day can result in a chubby bunny - feeding a couple of times
a day is best.
40) Guinea pigs make great house pets. They are small,
domesticated mammals that are gentle and lovable and don‟t require the
run of the house. They rarely bite or scratch, but they can be messy -
scattering food, water and bedding all over their cages. They are most
active at dusk and dawn, but will easily adjust to your routine. Guinea pigs
come in a variety of colors and their coats can be short, long, whorled,
silky or even hairless! Long-haired species will need regular grooming
once every two to three weeks. With good care, they live up to twelve
years with six to eight years being the average. Learn all you can about
their care and feeding; keep them clean and warm and bedding dry; give
expert vet care annually, give lots of love and affection and you will be
well rewarded with your choice of guinea pigs as pets.
How to Get Others to Help
There are so many ways you can garner media attention, as well as
mobilizing others in your community to help. There is no reason why only
you can help with projects and organizations. Think of the bigger impact
you could have if you mobilized a larger number of people to help –
increasing the benefit to your community and to all the animals you are
helping.
If you‟re ready to think BIG in your mission to help animals, then this is
the information you need!
The first thing you will want to do is communicate with your local
media people. Stories written about what you are doing are free and the
media is always looking for attention grabbing news!
1. First, make a list of your local daily and weekly newspaper reporters,
editors, any local and regional magazines, and TV and radio stations. Don't
forget wire and internet services as well.
2. Next, make some calls. Know what you're going to say before you
call.
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 Make notes of the most important elements they'll be listening for --
who, what, where, when and how. Give sufficient lead time -- usually a
minimum of two weeks for radio and newspapers.
 Keep it very short, compelling, interesting, and appropriate for the
news department you're calling.
 It's also important that you are not talking about you, but rather about
the people who will be reading or hearing the story.
 If possible, add a visual -- is there one shelter you're working with? Is
there one location where you're accepting donations or abandoned
animals?
 If you don't get an interview, ask if you can send a news release. Be
sure to find out their preferred method of receiving releases, i.e. e-
mail, media kit, or fax.
 Don't be intimidated - just call!
3. Before you start talking - be sure to ask "Is this a good time to talk?
I just need 2-3 minutes of your time." Editors, reporters, journalist, DJ's
are all very busy people.
4. Now send news releases. The people you've talked to will recognize
your story and are much less likely to delete or "trash" it. Be sure to send
it in the format they requested. There is a sample template in the
Appendix to use when writing a news release.
 Make the release personal -- reporters need to tell stories.

 Tie-in your story with an event that typically generates interest --
Super Bowl, Academy Awards, start of school, World Series,
Thanksgiving, etc.
 Invite the media to your project -- list times when cameras would be
appropriate.
 Direct it to the public service director at your local radio stations.
5. Write a public service announcement (PSA). Public Service

Announcements are run by radio stations at no cost, and they are easy to
get placed. Send them to the public service director of your local radio
station. Be sure to send them at least two weeks in advance of when you
want them to be read on the air. Include your contact information should
the station have questions or need to reach you. These are free.
 This is a good way to recruit more volunteers for your project.

 Be aware of lead time -- usually about two weeks -- don't wait until the
last minute!
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Once you have the attention of the Media, there is so much more
you can do to increase your community’s awareness of your
project. Pick just a few of these to make your project more
powerful.
1. Use your website. If you have a website, add a special project logo
on your Home page to send visitors to your Project Page where you give
details on the project, how to contact you, etc. Communicate your goals,
recognize your successes, honor individuals who went "over and above,"
and don't forget to thank the media and any sponsors.
2. Promote your website. Include your URL in everything you hand out
or send out. Send them to your Project Page.
3. Look for alternate publicity forums such as
 print newsletters
 e-zines
 create a blog
 like-minded forum discussion groups
 internet radio programs that can help you spread the news
 Don't forget the Chamber of Commerce and other community councils.
4. Get a local celebrity involved in your project.
 Mayor or other elected official

 Bank President
 Pastor, Rabbi or Priest
 Radio station DJ or talk show host
 School principal
 Share what you're doing at condo and/or mobile home park association
meetings.
5. Take advantage of gatherings.
 Make announcements at other events -- heavily promote the goal of

your project -- a good cause gets responses.
 Display and/or hand out flyers about the event.
 Invite local associations and clubs to get involved and publicize it in
their communications to their constituents.
 Don't forget neighborhood meetings -- Neighborhood Watch, block
parties, etc.
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6. Use other forms of communication.
 Roadside signs
 E-mail lists
 Phone calling tree
 Newsletters (printed and electronic)
 Posters
 Flyers
 Bulletin boards (in Laundromats, etc.)
 Record and publicize a hotline message
 Direct mailings with gift magnets people can put on their refrigerators
or calendars with your project and contact information listed.
7. Do a neighborhood survey
 Target neighborhoods that can relate to and help with what you are
trying to accomplish.
 You will also be introducing yourself to the neighborhood of potential
volunteers.
 Use your results for publicity -- people will already know and trust you.
8. Get the government involved. Ask them to attend an event to show

support. Invite the media to cover it -- both reporters and photographers.
9. Use an outdoor marquee sign. If you have one, or if you know

someone who will let you use theirs, announce your project on it for the
public to see.
10. Partner with businesses that care. Don‟t be afraid to ask

businesses to help you. They are always looking for a way to get
community exposure and will more than likely be eager to help you. If you
can find them, partner with businesses that aren‟t already involved in
community service. You‟ll do more good, and you‟ll start another business
down the road to improving your community.
11. Create sponsorship decals.
 Create stick-on decals that promote your project, and then display
them at your place of business.
 Pass them out and ask people to put them in their vehicle windows and
bumpers.
21
12. Pass out bumper stickers.
 Keep word of your project visible every day!

 Pass them out at church, at store counters, doctor office tables,
Laundromats, veterinarian counters, PTAs, etc.
13. Get flyers put out everywhere.
 Get youth groups to help put them in neighborhoods (not mailboxes).

 Put them on windshields of cars in parking lots (if there are no
regulations against it).
14. Create an e-mail list from those who have responded to you from
all your efforts.
 Your team will want to hear from you.

 Keep them informed.
 Create excitement.
 Encourage them to forward these e-mails to others asking them to opt-
in to receive the information. You‟ll be amazed how fast this list can
grow.
15. Ask local non-profit organizations and agencies to give you a

"wish list" of what they most need.
 Send this to the reporter who is covering your project (see page 47).
 Ask him/her to publish it along with details on how people can help
meet those needs by participating in the Community Service.
16. Get students to help.
 Meet with school clubs, athletic clubs, and/or youth groups to share
about your project.
 Offer appropriate contests to participating groups.
 Contact the reporter covering your project with this angle.
17. Choose a project that is on-going.
 Keep your reporter, TV and radio station contacts up-dated.

 Be sure to always keep the goal -- the human-interest part of the story
-- foremost in your publicity.
 Make people feel good about supporting your project.
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18. Take advantage of an existing event.
 If a significant number of people will be at an event, ask them to bring

along whatever is appropriate to your project.
 Get permission to sit at a table or booth to inform people about your
project and gather volunteers.
19. Ask your local transportation companies about free

advertising on their vehicles. Then ask an advertising agency if they
will donate what is necessary.
20. Circulars or bills. If the business you are partnering with uses
circulars or bills make sure to ask them to include a message about your
project.
We hope these ideas have helped you realize that a little effort
can maximize your efforts – no matter what you are doing!
41) Guinea pigs can live in the same cage with other
guinea pigs, but watch for signs of aggressiveness and if noticed,
separate them at once. Males should not be caged with young ones. Some
guinea pigs barber, or chew on each other‟s hair. If it becomes stressful
or harmful to other guinea pigs, provide separate homes so they can live
in peace. Cages should be at least 18 inches high, 24 inches wide and
three to six feet long with a solid floor. Place the cage in a quiet, warm,
draft-free location. Cages with clear solid sides, at least on the lower
portion, are helpful to prevent scattering of bedding and lets the guinea
pig see out of the cage. Cages should be well ventilated with no corrosion
or sharp edges, and should have a place for "Piggy" to hide. Guinea pigs
need plenty of entertainment, along with spending time with you. Things
you can add to the cage include running wheels, escape tunnels and
ladders or plywood boxes for climbing.
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42) The best bedding for guinea pigs is hardwood
shavings, ground corn cob mixed with nesting
material like cotton, or shredded newspaper.
Provide bedding to a depth of two inches or more
so he can make nests or tunnels to nap or hide in.
Make sure bedding is non-toxic, nonabrasive,
inedible, dust-free and absorbent. Never use
sawdust. Cedar chips can be used, but tend to
make their coats a reddish color. Change the
bedding daily and wash and disinfect cages
weekly with a solution of one ounce bleach
added to a liter of water. Rinse cage well and
completely dry before adding fresh bedding. Rinse feeders and watering
devices every day.
43) Guinea pigs are strictly herbivores, and their diets are
rather detailed to maintain best health. A complete, pellet diet made for
guinea pigs that contains at least 16% crude protein should not be fed to
guinea pigs more than 90 days after the milling of the pellets (check bag
or box for milling dates). Vitamin C is needed as a supplement because
these pets cannot produce this vitamin. Providing small amounts of grass
hay, a handful of cabbage, half a handful of kale, or quarter of an orange
will help supply the Vitamin C. Add a Vitamin C supplement to their water
and replace it daily as the vitamin C loses its potency quickly.
44) Guinea pigs can be fed the following fruits and

veggies as treats - just make sure they are fresh, washed and have
seeds or pits removed. They like lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, pea
pods, pears, apples, oranges, peaches, strawberries, pineapple, papaya
and blueberries. Dandelions, grass and wild clover (free of pesticides, of
course), graham crackers and oats are special treats too. Don‟t let these
foods make up more than 10% of their diet and watch that they don't
have a bad reaction to new foods.
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Wild Animals
45) Don’t assume an animal baby has been abandoned

by its mother. Many wild animals have to leave their babies alone
while they search for food. Fawns are left alone so predators won‟t find
them, and the mother returns to nurse them several times a day. Does
are wary of human scents, so unless the fawn is
lying on its side, or wandering and crying
incessantly, leave it alone. Fledgling birds will
often sit on the ground while learning to fly and
this is perfectly fine, unless there is a cat nearby.
Only take action if a baby animal is injured or in
obvious distress. Otherwise, leave it alone for the
mother to find! Contrary to popular thought,
mother birds will take back their babies after human handling, but it‟s best
not to handle babies at all. It‟s less stressful for the baby and safer for
you.
46) Leave wild animals alone unless they show these

signs of distress:
 The animal is presented to you by a dog or cat.
 bleeding
 an obvious broken limb
 featherless or nearly featherless bird (nestling) on the ground
 shivering
 evidence of a dead parent nearby
 Call proper authorities (see #47) to take care of the animal. It is
unlawful to care for a wild animal in your home.
47) If a wild animal exhibits any of the signs of distress

in #46 above, notify the proper authorities:
 local wildlife rehabilitator
 local animal shelter
 animal control agency
 state wildlife agency
 nature center
 exotic animal veterinarian
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 Let the professionals take proper care of the animal so it has a
better chance of survival.
48) To capture and transport an injured wild animal to

proper authorities:
 Use a cardboard box with holes punched in the top from the inside
out to allow air circulation. A paper bag may be all you need for
most songbirds.
 Line the box with a soft cloth or old T-shirt.
 Put on gloves.
 Use a towel or pillowcase to cover the animal, then scoop it up
gently and deposit it in the box.
 Do not give the animal food or water – many are in shock and
eating or drinking can cause choking, digestive problems, or even
drowning.
 Until you can transport the animal, keep the container in a warm,
dry place away from children, pets and noise.
 Transport the animal as soon as possible. Keep the carrier out of
the sun, direct air conditioning or heat. Keep car radio off and
talking to a minimum to keep from stressing the animal more than
necessary.
 Never handle an adult animal without first consulting a wildlife
professional. Even small animals can cause major injuries.
49) Avoid purchasing wild or exotic animals, such as

parrots, monkeys, snakes, or lizards as pets. Many of these
exotics are wild caught, causing them great stress
and possible death. Keeping them in environments
different from their natural habitats is not the best
way for them to live. Purchasing them only
encourages the inhumane, and sometimes illegal,
practices of wild capture. The global wild pet trade
threatens the existence of many species in their
native habitats. Let‟s leave wild animals in the wild
and enjoy them in their natural habitats.
50) There are not enough reputable sanctuaries to

properly care for the unwanted animals once kept as
pets. Exotic animals are all too often given up to shelters when owners
realize the upkeep is more than they can handle; that nutritional and
26
social needs are demanding to meet; that the animal is larger, stronger or
more dangerous than expected. Baby animals grow up and instinctive
behavior replaces the dependent behavior of juveniles – biting, scratching
or destructive behavior takes over. These animals are wild and we should
not expect them to act differently. If you “have to have” an exotic pet,
make sure you research how to care for your potential pet and be
prepared to deal with their instinctive behavior.
51) Protect wild birds and keep your

cat inside. Keeping it inside protects area
wildlife, such as songbirds and other small
animals. Protect all of them by keeping making
yours an indoor cat.
52) Plant animal-friendly native trees and shrubs in

your yard. Research the types of trees and plants that are best for
your area. Many times these plants require less upkeep and water than
your usual garden plants. Plus, area birds and wildlife will appreciate a
place to hang out where they are well-fed and welcome.
53) For many hours of entertainment, add bird feeders

to your yard, especially in winter. Using different kinds of
feeders and filling them with a variety of seeds, grains, fruit, suet, etc. will
attract a larger variety of birds. Then just sit back and watch the show. A
good bird guide will help you identify all the different birds that show up
to feed.
54) Hummingbird feeders also provide many

enjoyable hours of bird watching. The tiny,
colorful hummingbirds are protective of their feeders and it is
fun to watch them defend their territory. Remember to keep
the nectar fresh and don‟t use any that include red dye – it may
endanger their lives. A sugar water solution can be made at home using
one-quarter cup sugar for each cup of boiling water. This will work just as
well and is always handy. Be sure to let the sugar melt and the solution
cool before filling feeders. Empty and thoroughly wash feeders often to
prevent the solution from fermenting. You can add more sugar without
worrying that they will overdose – they will just feed less often.
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55) A birdbath will attract all kinds of winged and
regular wildlife to your yard. Birds need water and are especially
fond of taking baths. Make sure the bath is shallow enough that birds can
stand in it comfortably, or add a brick or rock for them to stand on. Pans
of water on the ground are also a welcome source of moisture for many
animals. Make sure the water is changed often and the bath is kept clean.
In summer, use non-toxic mosquito dunks to avoid providing an
environment for them to breed. Every animal needs water - they will
thank you by visiting often.
56) Plant a hummingbird or butterfly garden to invite

these beautiful winged creatures to your yard. Learn which
colors and smells attract the creatures you
want to invite. The gardens not only attract
beautiful creatures, they beautify your yard
as well. Schoolyards and students can
benefit from planting a butterfly garden.
The wonders of nature can be brought right
to students by letting them have a say in
planning and planting such a garden. They
can learn firsthand about the cycles of life,
and that everything in nature works
together for our good.
57) Enrich your soil naturally by preparing a compost

pile in your yard. Use leftover vegetable scraps, coffee grounds,
eggshells, leaves, grass clippings, etc. Add some bone meal, water it
occasionally, turn it over so it can decompose evenly and pretty soon,
you‟ll have your very own natural garden enhancement. Compost naturally
enriches soil so plants and animals will thrive in the environment you
create.
58) Avoid using harmful chemicals in your garden or

home. They can endanger many insects that are beneficial to your
garden, causing an unnatural balance in nature. Natural products not only
work better, they work longer and do less damage to the environment.
Many household staple items like dish detergent, vinegar or baking soda,
have lots of different uses, indoors and out. Do an internet search or ask
28
at your library for books about alternative ways to use these common
items. Our world will be a safer, less toxic place to live.
59) Keep your distance from animals in the wild. They

are, after all, wild animals. They can and will, act
aggressively and unpredictably. Seal and sea lion
pups have been trampled when disruptive
humans startled adult animals. Stay a safe,
respectful distance of 100 yards from all wild
animals. Use binoculars or a zoom lens to get a
closer look.
If You Have A Business
We are counting on tens of thousands of individuals reaching out to help

animals, but if you have a business, you are in a position to have an
impact that will be multiplied by the number of your employees. Along the
way, you will gain some substantial benefits…
1) Improve Your Community

The first and most important benefit is to the actual community in
which you live. Whether your business is part of a huge metroplex or
a small rural community, it is also your home. Anything you can do to
make it a better place to live will benefit your business, you, your
family, and everyone you care about!
2) Enhance Your Company’s Image

Your involvement in service projects will make your name and logo
more visible in your community. National involvement will only
increase your exposure. As you become more visible, you will raise
your profile and potentially attract more customers. Not only will more
people know about you – they will also associate your business with
positive results in their community, giving them much more incentive
to do business with you.
3) Boost Customer Loyalty

People like to know their purchases or business activities are serving a
greater cause. 83% of people interviewed in a large national survey
29
indicated they would choose to shop at a business that was giving back
in some way, and they actively search to find those businesses.
4) Improve Employee Retention and Attract New Workers

If your employees are your most valued asset, then you need to know
community service not only benefits them, but also helps your
business. Studies have found that many employees find the idea of
volunteer programs very attractive in current or prospective employers.
Research also shows that businesses involved in volunteer work have
higher morale, higher retention rates, and generally happier employees
– increasing productivity and also making you an “Employer of Choice.”
5) Garner Positive Media Attention

Getting your business name out to the public via newspapers, radio or
television can only be a good thing. The media is eager to report good
things happening in their community.
6) Greater Respect
As the old saying goes, actions speak louder than words. As your
business strives to do the right thing in the community, you will attract
a growing amount of respect. One result will be an increase in your
influence with decision-makers, as well as building a positive profile
with current or prospective customers.
7) Knowledge & Skills

Many businesses have benefited greatly from the practical or
managerial skills they have learned from the very organizations they
have volunteered to help. There will be times when your employees
will come back with fresh ideas or new perspectives on issues relevant
to your business.
60) Do not approach mother animals of any kind with

young. Do not separate a mother from her young by chasing or herding
her and do not handle her young. Nests or dens are especially vulnerable
to human disruption. Animals can alter their normal behavior and become
30
stressed when faced with lengthy encounters with humans. Don‟t
endanger yourself or the animals – keep your distance.
61) If you must take your pets with you where there
are wild animals, keep pets on a leash. There is less danger
of them or the wild animal being hurt or bitten if they are not allowed to
run loose. There is also less danger of transmitting diseases that could be
fatal to pets or to wildlife.
62) Don’t feed animals in the wild, no matter how cute

or hungry they seem. Feeding them results in more harm than
good. Wild animals will come to associate people with food and lose their
fear of people. They can endanger themselves and people when looking
for handouts. These handouts cause wild animals to lose
their ability to hunt and catch their own food. They will
become more likely to eat trash and debris that could lead
to their death. They can become aggressive towards
people and also destroy their environment, or
your property, searching for food. It is much
kinder to leave them on their own and not
interfere in their normal behavior patterns.
Feeding wild animals is not worth the pain and
danger it can eventually cause, either to wildlife, to you or to an innocent
person.
63) Provide a sanctuary for wild animals during the

harsh winter months. Think about it from the animal‟s point of
view – just when the going gets tough, many of their food sources are
cleaned up and taken to the curb to be transported to the local landfill! So
leave those garden beds untrimmed and some of those leaves on the
ground – they provide cover and potential winter food. Dead stalks, leaves
and seed heads will feed and nourish, while leaves provide much needed
cover for many species during the cold winter temperatures.
64) Seeds and large seed heads from many plants and
flowers make excellent sources of food for wildlife, such
as:
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 Black-eyed Susans
 Sedums
 Purple coneflowers
 Sunflowers
 Zinnias
 Marigolds
 Cosmos
 Phlox
65) Hardy ferns can be valuable as both cover and as a

food source since they remain green on into winter. Berry-producing
plants like bayberries, junipers and cotoneasters are year-round favorites
for many species, especially birds.
66) Leaving plant material for wildlife may have a

bonus you may not have considered. Your garden beds will
add beauty and texture to an otherwise drab landscape. Many ornamental
grasses and sedges look great in a winter landscape. In addition to
looking good, the grass seeds will provide food for wildlife, and the stems
and stalks will provide nesting material for birds in the spring. What an
easy way to make a difference for wildlife.
67) Small, deep piles of fallen

leaves can be cozy nests for
hibernating reptiles, amphibians and insects,
so don‟t automatically rake every leaf from
your yard. Protect wildlife by leaving them
places to hide on your property.
68) Fallen leaves are great as

water-conserving mulch to
protect your lawn and they make
wonderful additions to a compost pile. You can leave the leaves where
they fall or shred them and spread over your garden – aim for two to
three inches of depth for any type of mulch.
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69) You can help shelter wildlife from predators after the
gradual loss of foliage in the fall. Build a brush pile to clear your yard of
stray branches and twigs and you will provide a safe haven for reptiles
and amphibians, ground-nesting birds, insects and an array of small
mammals like rabbits, chipmunks and skunks. You may be thinking, "Why
should I provide a safe place for reptiles and skunks of all things? I don‟t
want them on my property." But remember, if we don‟t have these
animals in our environment, we will create a void that unbalances nature.
Reptiles and skunks need our help just as much, if not more than, other
cuter wildlife.
70) We may not realize it, but wildlife continues to need

a water source throughout the winter months. In fact, it is
more crucial than ever for their survival because many times a reliable
watering hole dries up or ices over in the coldest months. Providing a
water source close to their home keeps animals from having to travel long
distances to slake their thirst. Invest in a quality heater for your birdbath
or artificial pond. You will reap your reward when you see the variety of
wildlife enjoying the water source you so generously provide.
71) Wild animals are attracted to the recyclables and

garbage we throw away. Every time we take these items to the
curb or dispose of them in a trash can, we are tempting animals to inspect
the contents, causing them potential harm. When you are hiking,
camping, traveling, or outdoors for any reason, dispose of your containers
and plastic wrap responsibly. Better yet, take a garbage bag with you and
pick up any garbage you find, along with what garbage you have. You‟ll
be protecting wildlife and beautifying the environment as well.
72) Marine animals and birds mistake plastic wrap

floating on the water’s surface as food. Plastic wrap, when
ingested, can cause an internal blockage that is
deadly to any animal. Rinse plastic wrap and place
inside a closed garbage bag. Never throw plastic
wrap into open trash cans. Make sure the
garbage you place for collection is in plastic or
metal trash containers with secure covers so
animals cannot get to it.
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73) Glass jars and plastic containers can still smell like
the food it contained and animals may think it is good enough to
try to eat. Peanut butter jars, yogurt containers, plastic wrap that carries
the smells of the food it covered, plastic six-pack rings – all these
seemingly innocent containers can spell disaster for wildlife. Jars and
plastic containers can suffocate animals that stick their heads inside. Birds
and other small animals, entangled in the plastic rings, can be injured or
die.
74) Rinse all recyclable glass and plastic

containers to remove any traces of food or odors.
All sizes of containers can be a danger to wildlife.
Skunks are particularly vulnerable because their front
legs are too short to remove a container from their
heads.
75) Make sure you cut up or crush every plastic

container before you dispose of it. Cut up six-pack plastic rings
so birds and other wildlife won‟t become entangled or endangered. Let‟s
help wildlife protect itself!
76) If baby birds have fallen from their nest, you can
replace them if safe to do so, without fear that the mother will
abandon them. If the original nest is too high or has been destroyed,
hang a small basket near the original location. Woven stick baskets
resemble natural bird nests and allow water to drain so babies won‟t
drown. Use a shallow basket since adult birds won‟t use anything they
can‟t see out of. Keep watch nearby for an hour or so to make sure
parents return to feed the babies. If not, call a local agency in your area.
77) Fledgling birds are fully feathered on their bodies,

but usually have short tail feathers. These young birds are learning to fly
and they spend a few days on the ground, hopping around, but unable to
fly. Keep pets away from the area while the young birds are on the
ground. If stray pets are in the area, place birds in a small basket and
hang it from a nearby tree limb to keep them off the ground. Hopefully,
34
they will learn how to fly within a few days and will no longer need the
basket to keep them safe.
78) Baby rabbits are often left alone in the nest during
the day to avoid attracting predators. Unless their nest is
destroyed or the babies are injured, leave them alone. If the nest is
destroyed, cover the nest with surrounding natural
materials like grass and leaves. Then put an “X” of
sticks or yarn over the top of the nest to find out
if the mother is returning to feed the babies. If
the “X‟ is undisturbed for 24 hours, contact a
local wildlife rehabilitator. Mother rabbits are
very sensitive to human scents and may abandon
their young if they have been handled. Keep pets
out of the area to keep the baby rabbits safe. A rabbit four inches long
with ears erect and open eyes is able to fend for itself.
79) If you see a baby raccoon that has been alone for
more than a few hours, it has most likely been abandoned. Mother
raccoons keep close watch on their babies and don‟t let them out of their
sight. Cover the baby with an overturned laundry basket that is weighted
on top and monitor him for a few hours. If the mother doesn‟t return,
contact your local wildlife rehabilitator.
80) If tree work has been done nearby or you find a

baby squirrel that has fallen out of its nest, leave the baby
where it is, if it is uninjured. Give the mother time to reclaim her young.
Keep people and pets away and monitor him from a distance. If not
retrieved by sundown, call a local wildlife rehabilitator. If it is cold outside,
place the baby in a shallow box with a heating pad on low or a hot water
bottle beneath to keep the baby warm while waiting for mom. Don‟t cover
the baby with a blanket or leaves because the mother may not be able to
find him. If the squirrel is nearly full size, has a full, fluffy tail and can run,
jump and climb, it is independent and should be left alone.
81) Turtles crossing the road are often trying to get to a

sunny location with loose soil to lay their eggs or trying to make the
return journey back home after laying eggs. Making this perilous journey
35
is often the cause of many turtles being run over or abducted to life in a
backyard. Please help the turtles make their journey across the highway,
if you can do so safely. Take them in the
direction they were headed and leave them
where they belong. Turtles are slow to sexually
mature, they lay few eggs and mortality rates
of their eggs and hatchlings are high. Their
habitat is decreasing daily, so every turtle that
survives to adulthood is critical to their
population. Please be kind and avoid hitting turtles in the road - they
aren‟t fast enough to dodge traffic.
82) Help owls by preserving their natural habitats and

using natural, organic methods rather than chemicals when
farming and gardening. Preserve old, hollow trees and build owl nesting
boxes in protected places for their use. Owls help protect our crops by
feeding on small mammals, reptiles and insects. Used as a symbol of
wisdom, they also fill us with wonder. Let‟s make sure we always have
these impressive creatures around to inspire us.
83) Squirrels are certainly one of the most popular and

entertaining animals in most urban, suburban and rural areas.
They can be pesky too, and few animals
are as determined to reach a food source
as a squirrel. They will employ whatever
tactics necessary to obtain what they want
– food! Various “squirrel-proof” feeders are
available and are usually humane and
effective at deterring the little critters.
Position feeders at least 8 feet from trees
or nearby structures to help keep squirrels
from bird feeders. As long as squirrels can‟t leap from a tree onto a
feeder, they will content themselves with what the birds drop on the
ground.
84) Share the wealth with wildlife. Sharing the bounty of your
garden or orchard with wildlife can be frustrating for us at times, but as
long as they leave us enough to suit our purposes, why not let them have
36
it? The solution may be just to plant more of the things they like best, or
maybe not plant that corn you know most animals love to plunder. It
might even help to plant the tastiest morsels closer to your house so the
animals won‟t be as tempted to get near humans. Or plant their favorites
further away from the main garden so they reach their favorites first.
Humane measures can be taken to prevent most damage, but sometimes
it takes too much energy to carry them out. In some instances the best
thing we can do is install a fence to keep critters out. But consider letting
the animals have a treat – it may be all they have available to eat when
other food sources are scarce.
85) Raccoons are intelligent and very adaptable to

changes in their environment. They can wreak havoc in
gardens, garbage cans, bird feeders, fishponds and even your kitchen
pantry – pet doors make it easy to gain entrance into your home.
Discourage garbage can raiding by keeping cans
inside a shed or garage between pick-ups, and
not putting cans out the night before. Keep can
lids secured with rope, bungee cords or weights
to discourage plundering. Chasing raccoons away
using lights or radios to create disturbances can
minimize garden damage right before harvest. This may keep them away
long enough to gather the crop.
86) Attractive locations for raccoons to use for denning

and raising their young include attics, porches or
chimneys. Before taking any measures to rid your property of
unwanted visitors, make sure your visitors are raccoons by sprinkling flour
or cornstarch in the area so their tracks can be identified. Baby raccoons
cannot fend for themselves for a long period of time after birth and don‟t
usually leave the den until 8 or 9 weeks of age. Trapping and moving the
family will almost inevitably lead to separation and the probable death of
the babies. Never use smoke or fire to drive animals out of attics or
chimneys. This will almost certainly kill the young animals that are not
able to leave on their own. Sometimes the best thing to do is wait out
their occupation. Then cap chimneys and repair and seal attic openings to
prevent further problems.
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87) To help deter deer from raiding your garden, use
thoughtful landscape design giving care to the selection and placement of
plants. The best option is to use a more natural landscape and use more
native plants species. Naturalized plantings are more likely to receive less
attention from deer. Native species are more likely to have evolved ways
to tolerate the impact of deer‟s browsing or to deter their browsing in the
first place. Deer will eat some plants like hollies and barberries only when
new growth is appearing, if then. Others, like impatiens, are especially
irresistible to deer. State cooperative extension agencies, local nurseries
or landscaping companies can give you information about native plants
that are tolerant, or resistant, to deer browsing in your area.
88) Where deer are a serious problem,

the most effective way to prevent
damage to a garden is to install deer-
proof fencing. No other method, whether it
involves lethal or non-lethal means is as effective as
this over the long term. Local extension or wildlife
specialists should be consulted about the best type of
fence for your area before you spend any money.
When plenty of food is available, simple fences may
do the job; when food is scarce, deer can jump fences
ten feet in height!
89) Three principles guide the humane approach to the

human-wildlife conflict:
 Respect for the environment
 Understanding and tolerance for living things
 Willingness to resolve conflicts with non-lethal methods
90) If you feed pets outside, take bowls inside to

prevent wild neighbors from making midnight raids. Don‟t provide
the temptation for wildlife and many problems will be avoided.
91) Always follow park rules and regulations when

visiting. Encourage others to do the same when visiting parks or any
natural setting. The rules are there for our protection as well as for the
animals.
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92) Please use synthetic furs if you have to have fur.
Countless animals are raised in inhumane conditions on fur farms,
suffering from poor conditions and unnatural habitat. Synthetic furs are
warmer, lighter and cost much less, especially in animal suffering.
93) Many encounters with snakes result in the death of

the reptile. In most circumstances, the snake should be allowed to go
its own way. Venomous snakes should be removed and relocated by
experienced handlers such as your local humane society, animal control
agency or a professional wildlife control operator.
Many snake populations are on the decline
because of increased human invasion of their
territory. Snakes play an important role in the
balance of nature. They feed on rodents and
help keep their populations down, for which
we should be grateful. If a snake is not
venomous, there is no need to relocate it. When
released into unfamiliar surround-ings, they have low rates of survival. To
keep snakes from residing in your area, remove brush piles, rocks, wood
or other debris that would provide hiding places for them and their prey.
94) Rabbits like to feed in yards and gardens. Installing a

well-constructed fence that is strong enough to keep rabbits out can
eliminate most damage. Fences normally need to be only a couple of feet
high and bottom edges need to be buried six to eight inches to prevent
burrowing. Damage to young trees can be prevented by using commercial
tree wrap or cylinders of hardware cloth or chicken wire to a height of 12-
18 inches. When trimming trees in the fall, leave the trimmings on the
ground as a decoy food source for rabbits.
95) To evict skunks from under a

building, spray a mixture of 8 ounces dish
detergent, 8 ounces castor oil and a gallon of
water around the area where the skunks are
living. To determine if the den has been vacated,
stuff newspaper in the entry hole. If skunks are
still present the paper will be pushed out within 24
hours.
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96) To neutralize skunk odor on pets that have ignored the
skunk's warning to back off (it stamps its front feet), use the following
mixture:
 1 quart 3% hydrogen peroxide
 1/4 cup baking soda
 1 teaspoon Dawn® liquid dish soap
 Apply liberally and hold your nose!
97) Millions of wild animals are killed on our nation’s

highways each year. It is estimated that more wild animals are
killed with cars than with guns. Highways fragment the animals‟ habitats –
forcing them to live in areas too small for their needs, or to cross roads to
find food, nesting sites, cover and mates. European countries have
constructed overpasses across major highways to help protect wildlife
populations. Natural overpasses
can include small ponds, wetlands
and fruiting shrubs to encourage
wildlife usage. To gain success with
this endeavor in the U.S., citizens
need to demand federal law be
changed to ensure that wildlife
passages be considered and
incorporated into every highway construction and improvement project.
Wildlife needs this protection and consideration since their habitat is
decreasing with every road, strip mall and subdivision we build.
98) No other wild animal is the U.S. is as extensively

exploited and treated without regulation as the
rattlesnake. Rattlesnakes are important to their ecosystems, keeping
rodent populations in check, thus preventing crop damage and the spread
of disease. Rattlesnakes are important prey for raptors and other animals.
Most species of rattlesnakes are not protected anywhere in their ranges or
by any federal or international laws. Steps must be taken to protect these
valuable members of the environment, before we learn too late how
valuable they really are to our own existence.
99) Rattlesnake Roundups are very destructive to

rattlesnake populations as well as their habitats.
40
Destructive collection methods are used to gather rattlesnakes, which also
detrimentally affect gopher tortoises, indigo snakes, box turtles, coach
whip snakes, pine snakes, southern toads, gopher frogs,
burrowing owls, raccoons, opossums, and many species of
invertebrates. This destructive practice is also hazardous to
humans - they are subjected to more snake bites due to
inexperience in handling rattlesnakes. This leads to the
use of antivenin, and the depletion of local supplies
available for accidents or bites that are genuinely
unavoidable.
100) Declining songbird habitats are contributing to the

decline of songbird populations. We are hearing fewer bird songs now
than ten or more years ago. To reverse this trend, there are three steps
we can take:
 Support land conservation
 Create wildlife habitats in our backyards and encourage businesses,
farmers and organizations to do the same. Airports, golf courses and
military bases manage millions of acres that can be managed to
support wildlife and people as well, and create enormous amounts of
habitat.
 Control free-ranging cats by keeping them inside, especially early and
late in the day when birds are most active.
101) Ground nesting birds and rabbits are often at a

great disadvantage during spring. Mowing fields without
checking first for nests disrupts and destroys nests and babies. Using
large trimmers to trim trees along roadsides also destroys many nests and
baby songbirds. Performing these chores a little later in the year when
baby birds are grown and on their own can help preserve populations of
these special creatures.
"The wilderness is not a renewable

resource. If it is possible for humans
and wildlife to coexist, we must
endeavor to understand as much as
possible about their needs to minimize
negative impacts."
~Author Unknown
41
Bonus ideas
102) If you feed birds on the ground, installing a low

fence around the area is a great idea, thus making it more difficult
for cats to get near birds. When cats jump over the fence, birds are likely
to see the cat and be able to escape.
103) Educate children to respect and

care for wildlife and their habitats.
Animals are not toys to be played with; don‟t
destroy nests and other wildlife homes - they
are essential to species‟ survival. Children are
the future of our world – teach them how their
actions affect everyone and everything around
them.
"If all the beasts were gone, men would die

from a great loneliness of spirit, for whatever
happens to the beasts also happens to the
man. All things are connected. Whatever
befalls the Earth befalls the sons of the Earth."
~Chief Seattle of the Suwamish Tribe,

letter to President Franklin Pierce
42
&
_____________________________
E-Cards
Prints & Posters
_____________________________
43

the world.

person.

caring in my world.
EVERYDAY!

CHANGE!
44
101 Ways
To Help Planet Earth

by:
Sandi Valentine
With Michael Plybon

__________________
For
© 2006
(Revised June 2007)

Author's Note:
Taking care of our Earth is no longer an option – it is a necessity. At times the

challenge feels so overwhelmingly complicated that we give up before we even get
started. Have you ever felt that way?
Maybe you were active in earth-friendly activities in the past but didn't feel your
efforts were making a difference and you've abandoned them – or perhaps you just
aren't as conscientious as you once were.
Taking responsibility for our actions is becoming more and more crucial. And with
each of us making the commitment to start with small steps, together we can make
a huge difference.
In the following E-book you will find 101 Ways to Help Planet Earth. We have
included links to websites and organizations from our online research for your
convenience. We are not endorsing any of these groups or sites (nor do they
endorse us) -- we are simply offering them to you for your further investigation
and research. Educate yourself and find even more ways to do your part.
This book is our gift to you

because we want to empower you
to BE the Difference in Your World Today.
2
&
Campaign to mobilize a force of good that will sweep across the globe and create true
sustainable CHANGE on every continent.
It's not just enough to say you want to help create CHANGE - you have to have the
resources and tools to do just that. The Together We Can Change The World
Association has created everything you need - giving it to you totally FREE as our
contribution to CHANGE.
_____________________________
E-Cards
Prints & Posters
_____________________________
Will you RAISE YOUR HAND and become part of 5 Million For Change or 5 Million
Students For Change??
3
I will take time TODAY to make a difference in the

world.

person.
I will take time TODAY to spread some love & caring

in my world.
EVERYDAY!

CHANGE!
4
101 Ways to Help Planet Earth
1) Stop Junk Mail. Have you ever considered how much energy is used in
creating all that unsolicited junk you get in your mailbox? It's been suggested that
the junk mail we Americans receive in just one day is not only a
nuisance, it could produce enough energy to heat a quarter of a million
homes! The junk mail delivered to your address alone would be the
equivalent of 1½ trees – which adds up to 100 million trees every year.
And that's just in the United States. To help stop junk mail and help
your letter carrier's aching back, write to: Mail Preference Service, Direct
Marketing Association, P.O. Box 3861, New York, NY 10163-3861. By writing them
you can reduce your junk mail by up to 75%. Be sure to recycle the rest!
(http://library.thinkquest.org/11353/gather/help.htm and
https://energy.navy.mil/awareness/tools/tools_7.html)
2) Participate in your community's curbside recycling. Make the effort to

use those recycle bins! Some communities are starting to charge fines to people
who are throwing away items that should be recycled. And if your community
doesn't pick up recyclables (or only certain ones) you can usually find someone who
accepts them. Check with dry cleaners, supermarkets, manufacturers, your local
public works department and civic organizations to find where recycled goods can
be dropped off. (http://library.thinkquest.org/11353/gather/help.htm)
3) Make recycling easier by putting recycle bins in

the rooms where you use the product. If you open the
mail in your den, keep a box nearby and toss in the junk mail.
If you want to save vegetable and fruit clippings for a
composting pile, keep a container under the kitchen sink.
(http://library.thinkquest.org/11353/gather/help.htm)
4) Save large amounts of paper by using your spell checker. Before you
send a document to your printer, be sure to run grammar and spell check. Once you
get it error-free, preview it (file  print preview) to ensure it fits well on the
page and looks the way you want it to. You'll reduce the amount of paper you use,
saving money and helping the environment!
5
5) Use both sides of your paper. If I print out a document I can't use, I cut it
into fourths and stack them next to my computer and telephone. They make the
perfect size for quick notes. Put some on your night stand for that quick reminder
to yourself. Or, if you do a lot of printing from your computer that is only for your
use, use the second side of obsolete or imperfect documents. It doesn't matter
that there's something on the other side.
6) Smaller children don't need clean paper to color on. I've worked in
several offices and brought home reams of scrap paper from the copier room (as
long as it didn't have confidential or personal information on it) that was still blank
on one side. You can also keep a look out for blank-sided paper in all that junk mail
mentioned in #1.
"Health is the capacity of the land for self-

renewal. Conservation is our effort to
understand and preserve this capacity.
~Aldo Leopold
7) Reduce how much you throw away. Americans

generate more trash per capita than people in any other
country. On average, each American discards about 4.4
pounds of solid waste every day. Only about a pound of that is
recycled, composted, or otherwise reused. The rest goes into
our ever-growing landfills or incinerators. Avoid wasteful
packaging and single-use products that can't easily be
recycled. Buy reusable, repairable, rechargeable or refillable
products. And look for those that are made from or are packaged in recycled
materials. (http://www.nwf.org/getgreen/home_waste.cfm)
8) Inflate your tires. Every two weeks Americans wear out nearly 50 million
pounds of rubber off their tires. This is enough rubber to manufacture three and a
quarter million new tires from scratch. To help prevent this – inflate your tires.
This preserves the life of your tires, saves gas, and of course, money.
6
9) Recycle your motor oil. In the U.S. we use about a billion
gallons of motor oil each year. About 350 million gallons end up
in the environment. About 2.1 million tons are deposited in our
rivers and streams. Motor oil can seep down into our ground
water supply. Just one quart contaminates 250,000 gallons of
water. If you change your oil yourself, take it to a gas station
or oil-changing outlet which recycles oil. It may cost you
anywhere from twenty-five cents to a dollar.
10) Don't dump oil, grease, antifreeze, pesticides, fertilizers, paints,

cleaners, and other toxic household products down the storm drain or
street gutter. Such products end up in rivers, lakes, and oceans (depending on
where you live). You most likely have a recycling drop-off in your community. Call
Public Services to find out where it is. (http://library.thinkquest.org/11353/gather/help.htm)
11) Restrict use of plastic shopping bags. Plastic bags are

not biodegradable – they do not decompose fully. In addition, the
ink is made up of cadmium and is highly toxic when released.
Paper bags are reusable and biodegradable. Choose paper instead
of plastic. Also – if your purchase is small enough, don't take a
bag at all – this alone could save hundreds of millions of bags.
Bring a cloth or string bag for smaller shopping trips.
(http://library.thinkquest.org/11353/gather/help.htm )
12) Purchase products that are recycled. Make sure it says "recycled."
By purchasing these products you are helping to conserve natural resources and
protecting our earth. Look for "made from recycled waste" or "post-consumer
waste." The recycling symbol or "100% recyclable" is appealing but does not mean
the product was made from recycled products. (http://members.aol.com/Ramola15/help.html)
7
13) Purchase CFC free products. CFC (chlorofluorocarbon) destroys the ozone
layer which protects us from harmful UV rays. CFC's are used in air conditioners
(as refrigerants/Freon), some scented candles, plug in air fresheners, insect
repellents, hairspray, and even some cooking products. Most often they are in
aerosol spray products. UV (harmful ultraviolet radiation) rays increase the risk of
skin cancer, increases cataract cases, suppresses the human immune system, and
cause environmental damage. (http://www.epa.gov/ozone/science/q_a.html)
14) Shop for durable, long-lasting products. For example, use a metal razor
instead of disposables, or a metal roasting pan instead of a disposable one. Use
items that can be repaired and are produced to last a long time.
Make a difference in your everyday shopping and get your own online Mall.
OR create EVEN GREATER income for your favorite cause (and yourself)
by getting malls for both of you. Contact the person who gave you this e-
book. If there is no one, visit: www.MyPowerMall.com for more information.
15) Use silverware and dishes instead of plastic and paper. Not only will
you help our earth – you'll save money as well. This is a great way to cut down on
extra garbage in our landfills. (http://members.aol.com/Ramola15/help.html)
16) Try to avoid using disposable products at all. Use cloth diapers
(remember them?). Use an old t-shirt or towel as rags instead of going through
rolls of paper towels.
17) And about disposable diapers. Over 18 billion disposable

diapers are thrown in the trash every year here in America. Lined
up end-to-end – they'd reach to the moon and back seven times!
8
They take up 1% of our landfills and 500 years to decompose. They
use 1,265,00 metric tons of wood pulp and 75,000 metric ton s of plastic. Cotton
diapers can be reused 100s of times and decompose in 1 to 6 months.
18) Consider buying in bulk. One 32-ounce bottle uses less packaging than two
16-ounce bottles. In addition, the larger bottle will probably cost less per ounce
than the other two combined. (http://members.aol.com/Ramola15/help.html)
19) Change your habits in the kitchen. Use reusable containers instead of
wrapping food in foil or plastic wrap. Use unbleached coffee filters. Use rags to
wipe up spills instead of paper towels. And use wax paper and paper bags – they're
biodegradable. (http://library.thinkquest.org/11353/gather/help.htm)
20) Use rechargeable batteries. Batteries contain heavy metals such as

mercury and cadmium, which have become a major source of
contamination in dumpsites. They break apart and are
released into the soil or are incinerated and the deadly heavy
metals are released into the air. Use batteries that are
rechargeable. They will save you 10 or 20 times the original cost (by
not buying batteries over and over again). You can also prolong the life
of any battery by using the AC adapter for radios and other appliances.
And recycle alkaline batteries if you can. The mercury and cadmium can be
extracted for reuse. (http://library.thinkquest.org/11353/gather/help.htm and
http://members.aol.com/Ramola15/help.html)
21) Don't buy products that endanger animals. Ten years ago there were
over 1.5 million elephants on the earth. It's said that today there are only
750,000. Ivory is still being taken from elephants killed by poachers. Americans
purchase 30% of that ivory. Over 6.5 million dolphins have been killed by tuna
fishermen. Fishing nets can reach ¾ mile in length and whatever gets trapped in
them dies. Check the label of your tuna to make sure it is "dolphin-safe."
22) Recycle your ink and toner cartridges. Every year Americans throw out
enough printer cartridges to stretch from Los Angeles to New York City and back
again. Check out your office supply store, call your current toner cartridge
company and ask about a cartridge-recycling program or put "toner recycle" in your
9
favorite search engine. Some companies pay you (and your shipping charges) to
recycle your printer cartridges. (http://library.thinkquest.org/11353/gather/help.htm)
23) Be aware of the paint you use. Use latex paint instead of oil-based which
is highly toxic. The manufacturing process of oil-based paint
produces additional pollutants.
24) Dispose of oil-based paint as you would any

hazardous waste. Latex paint can be left outside for one
year to evaporate. Then dispose of it with the rest of your trash.
Consider donating it to a school or someone else who might be able
to use it. (http://library.thinkquest.org/11353/gather/help.htm)
25) Don't clean your paint brushes outside as it can contaminate

groundwater. Clean them in the sink. (http://library.thinkquest.org/11353/gather/help.htm)
26) Don't release helium balloons outside. It may

appear to be a beautiful experience – but releasing
balloons into the air is dangerous. The balloons can
cause suffocation or starvation in animals by blocking
stomach or air valves. Metallic balloons can cause power
outrages when they get caught in power lines.
27) Cut up plastic 6-pack holders. This is something I've been doing for
years once I learned that animals and birds die from uncut 6-pack holders and
other ringed packages every year. They get caught in the holes and are choked to
death or they get hung up on bushes, underwater plants, etc. Make it a habit to cut
all the rings apart when you recycle or throw away that 6-pack holder.
28) Avoid products that are over-packaged. Look for items that have less
packaging. They'll probably cost less anyway. This includes individually wrapped
candy. Select fresh products from the display bins instead of pre-packaged. The
more packaging – the higher the price – and more importantly, the more garbage
lands up in our landfills.
10
29) Don't throw clothes away. If they're still in good shape,
give them to organizations that clothe the poor, or find a
consignment store that will pay you part of the selling price. Or
have a garage sale and donate the proceeds to your favorite
charity. (http://members.aol.com/Ramola15/help.html)
30) And since we're talking about not throwing items away – don't
throw furniture and other items away. If they are in good condition and still
working, call any resale organization (like Salvation Army, Goodwill, ARC etc.). Many
will pick up the items or you can take them to their drop-off centers. Many have
large trailers in the parking lots of shopping areas.
31) Buy organically-grown food. More and more grocery stores are offering
organically grown products or have organic sections in their stores. Organically
grown foods are foods that were grown without using chemical fertilizer,
pesticides or herbicides. They're better for you and the earth because no
chemicals are getting into you, the soil or water.
(http://members.aol.com/Ramola15/help.html)
32) Plant a tree. Trees produce oxygen and cool the air. You can
either grow seedlings yourself, or purchase them from a nursery.
Visit the following sites to learn about planting and nurturing trees:
International Society of Arboriculture (http://www.treesaregood.com) or
National Arbor Day Foundation (http://www.arborday.org). Or visit your
local nursery.
33) Make your meals earth-friendly. When you pack your lunch, put items in
reusable plastic containers instead of sandwich bags. Carry your drink in a
washable thermos bottle and your lunch in a reusable lunch container.
34) If you do use plastic bags – reuse them. Plastic takes over 100 years to
biodegrade. Wash out those bags and use them again and again. Not only will you be
helping the earth – you'll be saving money! (http://members.aol.com/Ramola15/help.html)
11
35) If you don't need the light – turn it off. If there is
sufficient natural light in a room, don't reach for the light switch.
And if you'll only be in the room for a minute, let your eyes adjust
for a few seconds and avoid turning on the light – most of the time
you really don't need it. If you do turn on a light, only leave it on
for as long as you need it. And be sure to turn it off when you
leave a room.
36) Turn off the air conditioner. When the temperature is the same outside
as inside, open your windows and save electricity, the earth and your money. If you
sleep with windows safely open (your local police department can give you
guidelines) at night your house will cool down and save a lot of energy.
37) If you have a leaky faucet – catch the drips

until you get it fixed. One drop of water per second can
waste 2,300 gallons of water per year. Put a pan, bowl or
cup under it to catch the water. Use the water for cooking,
drinking, or watering a plant. Judge the size of your container -
- a leaky faucet can fill a coffee cup in 10 minutes.
38) Can't afford a water-saving toilet? This is something we've been doing
for years -- put a bleach bottle inside the tank. First fill the bleach bottle with
water, cap it tightly and put it in the tank after you flush it. The average toilet
uses 3 – 7 gallons of water per flush. The bottle will displace from ½ - 1 gallon of
water and save you money with every flush. You can also use a brick – but put it in a
plastic bag as it may deteriorate. (http://members.aol.com/Ramola15/help.html)
39) Have a hot tub? Keep the water at a maximum of 104 degrees for safety
reasons. For each 10-degree drop in temperature, you can save up to 5% in water-
heating energy costs.
(http://www.clarkpublicutilities.com/Residential/billControl/energySavingTips/saveWaterHeat)
12
40) Use fluorescent bulbs instead of incandescent bulbs. Fluorescent
bulbs are brighter, last longer and use ¼ the amount of energy
than regular incandescent bulbs. And they don't produce
nearly as much wasted heat. A normal incandescent bulb
lasts about 750 hours, but a fluorescent bulb with last
for 7,500 – 10,000 with 1/3 the wattage. A fluorescent
bulb will also stop 1,000 pounds of carbon dioxide from
going into the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide (CO2) does not
impair human health but is a "greenhouse gas" that traps
the earth's heat and contributes to the potential of global
warming. (http://www.nutramed.com/environment/index.htm and
http://library.thinkquest.org/11353/gather/help.htm)
41) Participate in Together We Can Change The World Day on the first
Saturday of every month. Find a project happening in your area and join others
helping your planet. Or if there isn't one listed in your community – start one and
register it for FREE! Visit www.TogetherWeCanChangeTheWorldDay.com and get
started today!
42) Use dimmers and 3-way bulbs whenever possible so you can adjust the
amount of light you need. And use timers on lights in garages, attics and other
areas where lights may be accidentally left on for long periods.
(http://www.clarkpublicutilities.com/Residential/billControl/energySavingTips/saveOnLighting)
We all moan and groan about the loss of the quality of life
through the destruction of our ecology, and yet each one of us,
in our own little comfortable ways, contributes daily to that
destruction. It's time now to awaken in each one of us the
respect and attention our beloved mother deserves." ~Ed Asner
43) Use a movement detector to control halogen security lights to cut

down on usage. If you leave lights on overnight, get double the benefit by installing
a low energy lamp that has a sensor to ensure it stays off during daylight hours.
(http://www.clarkpublicutilities.com/Residential/billControl/energySavingTips/saveOnLighting and
http://www.e-lindsey.gov.uk/environment/energy-efficiency/)
13
44) If you can't use fluorescent lights, install low energy lights –
especially in rooms you use regularly. They last up to 15 times longer than normal
bulbs and provide the same light for a quarter of the cost.
(http://www.e-lindsey.gov.uk/environment/energy-efficiency/)
45) Use a tea kettle instead of a pan to heat

water (measure the amount of water you need) and
heat only that amount of water. Kettles are more
efficient than pans for boiling water. And de-scale electric
kettles regularly – the build up of scale means it takes more
energy to boil the same amount of water.
46) When buying a new appliance, be sure to purchase one with the energy
efficiency label – Energy Star®. Visit this Energy Star® site
for good information on selecting energy efficient appliances
(www.energystar.gov). Energy Star® clothes washers use 35-
50% less water per load and are at least 50% more efficient
than minimum federal government standards; Energy Star®
dishwashers are at least 25% more efficient than minimum
federal government standards. Energy Star® also offers a
refrigerator rebate program – your old refrigerator gets
picked up and recycled for free!
(http://www.clarkpublicutilities.com/Residential/billControl/energySavingTips/appliances/energyStar)
You can find appliances and just about anything else

you're looking on your own online shopping mall.
Benefit your favorite cause by helping them sign up for
their own mall, too! Contact the person who gave you
this ebook. If there is no one, go to
www.MyPowerMall.com to learn more.
14
47) Go ahead and buy that new TV. Modern televisions consume less than half
the electricity of older models. (http://www.e-lindsey.gov.uk/environment/energy-efficiency/)
48) And speaking of TVs. Always use your television's on/off switch. Don't
leave it on standby as this wastes energy.
49) Check your hot water heater. Your water heater uses about 20% of all the
energy in your home. Turn it down to 120 degrees (130-140 if you use an automatic
dishwasher). Quick recovery water heaters have two thermostats and they both
should be set at the same level.
50) Unless it specifically states not to, insulate your

water heater with a pre-fab "blanket". Be careful not to block
air vents.
51) You can also drain a bucket's worth of water from

your water heater once or twice a year from the valve at the
bottom of the tank. This prevents sediment from accumulating and
prolongs the life of your heater. Sediment acts as an internal
insulator and inhibits the transfer of heat from the heating elements to the water.
To remove the sediment, draw off water until runs clear – probably 2 – 5 gallons of
water will be enough. BE AWARE – draining an older tank can cause the tank to fail
or cause leaks in corroded areas. Contact your public utility company for guidance.
(http://www.clarkpublicutilities.com/Residential/billControl/energySavingTips/applianceRepair/maintainWat
erHeater)
52) America's refrigerators consume 7% of the nation's electricity.

That's the equivalent of more than 50% of the power generated by our nuclear
power plants. Clean the condenser coils every year, and raise the temperature by
10 degrees and you can save 25% of your energy.
15
By working together a few small
actions can make an enormous
difference to our world."
~Stacey Powell
53) More tips on your refrigerator. Allow cooked food to cool before putting
it away. Never overfill your refrigerator. An overfilled fridge inhibits cold air from
circulating. Place your refrigerator away from stoves, heaters and direct sunlight.
54) Make sure your freezer and refrigerator doors shut tightly. If you
can't trap a piece of paper in the door, the seal probably needs to be replaced. And
keep the back of your fridge/freezer dust free. This helps improve its energy
efficiency. (http://www.e-lindsey.gov.uk/environment/energy-efficiency/)
55) Try to keep your freezer at least three quarters full at all times.
And don't allow more than ¼" thickness of ice to build up.
56) Watch those showers. Four people taking showers every

day for just 5 minutes use 700 gallons of water in one week. This
is enough water for a person to live off of for three years.
Purchase a low-flow showerhead and save at least 14,000 gallons
of water every year. If 100,000 families installed low-flow
showerheads we could save 1.4 billion gallons of water in the U.S.
57) Wash dishes instead of using paper or plastic. Run your dishwasher
with a full load if at all possible. Use the "economy" or energy saving setting. And
use the no-heat dry feature – or open the door and let them air dry.
(http://www.clarkpublicutilities.com/Residential/billControl/energySavingTips/saveInKitchen)
58) Washing dishes by hand? Don't let the hot water run continually. And
instead of filling up a sink, use a large bowl (one you used for cooking your meal is
perfect – you have to wash it, anyway).
16
59) Use cold water instead of hot to operate your garbage disposal.
60) The average American family uses 350 gallons of

water each day! On laundry day, always try to wash with a
full load. Match your machine's size setting with the amount
of clothing. Don't waste water and energy washing a small
load of clothing in a large load setting. And use the lowest
recommended washing temperature.
(http://www.clarkpublicutilities.com/Residential/waterServices/waterConservation
and
http://www.clarkpublicutilities.com/Residential/billControl/energySavingTips/saveInTheLaundry)
61) Consider adding a solar water heater to your home. Even in the Pacific
Northwest, a solar water heater will meet at least 50% of your annual hot water
needs. The sun can heat all the hot water you need during the spring, summer and
fall, and reduce the amount of work for your standard water heater during the
winter. Many utility companies offer rebates to encourage the purchase and
installation of solar equipment. (http://www.clarkpublicutilities.com/Residential/solarPrograms)
62) Check your dryer's vent annually to make sure moist air is exhausting
outside your home. Like your washer, operate your dryer only when it has a full load
(but not overloaded). Use the lowest heat setting appropriate to the clothes fabric
and be sure to keep the filter free of lint.
(http://www.clarkpublicutilities.com/Residential/billControl/energySavingTips/saveInTheLaundry)
63) Don't over-dry your clothes, you'll avoid wrinkles (and possibly the
need to iron).
64) Use a microwave oven to cook vegetables. They will cook quicker, and
retain their color and nutritional content. Microwaves
and small appliances consume less energy than the range.
65) Cover saucepans with lids whenever possible to

reduce cooking time.
17
66) Match the size of your cooking utensil to the burner. The bottom of a
pan should completely cover a heating element but not extend more than an inch
beyond it. Avoid using a larger cooking area for a small saucepan. If you have dual
rings, use the inner ring whenever possible.
67) If the recipe will allow it, cut food

into smaller pieces. They will cook quicker and
save that much more energy.
68) You can save more energy by using a

steamer or segmented pan. That way you
can cook two (or more) vegetables in one pan at
the same time.
69) If you are cooking vegetables in saucepans, use just enough water to
keep them covered. And once boiling, turn down the heat to simmer.
70) Many modern ovens, particularly those with fans, need little or no pre-
heating. If you are baking something for longer than 60 minutes, you don't need to
preheat the oven. (http://www.e-lindsey.gov.uk/environment/energy-efficiency/)
71) Decrease the oven temperature by 25 degrees if you use glass or

ceramic dishes. And don't peek in the oven. Every time you open the door you lose
up to 25% of the heat.
18
72) Don't use the oven to heat your kitchen.
(http://www.clarkpublicutilities.com/Residential/billControl/energySavingTips/saveOnHeating)
73) When heating your home, make sure heat vents and return air
vents aren't covered. And change your fiber furnace filter twice a year,
cleaning it monthly during the heating season.
74) Turn your thermostat down. By turning your thermostat down you'll save
up to 3% on heating costs for every degree your thermostat is lowered. Set your
thermostat at a maximum of 68% and at least 10% less at night, unless you have a
heat pump or cable heat.
75) Weatherstrip and caulk around all doors and windows.

76) Keep dampers closed when your fireplace isn't in use. A good chimney can
draw up to 20% of the warm air out of the house each hour.
77) In cold weather, keep your drapes and shades open on sunny days and
close them at dusk.
78) The average yearly cost of heat for an electrically-heated home is

about 58 cents per square foot of living area. A newer single-family home built to
high insulation standards probably costs about 34 cents per square foot to heat
for a year.
(http://www.clarkpublicutilities.com/Residential/billControl/energySavingTips/appliances/costToHeat)
19
79) If your home has individual room heating systems such as
baseboards, wall heaters and ceiling cable heat, turn them off in rooms you
aren't using and keep the doors closed.
(http://www.clarkpublicutilities.com/Residential/billControl/energySavingTips/appliances/costToHeat)
Did you know the First Saturday of every month is Together We

Can Change the World Day?
(www.TogetherWeCanChangeTheWorldDay.com)
Register your service project (it's free!) or search for a project in

your area. With hands and hearts joined around the the world – we
can make a difference for people and our environment!
80) Consider installing solar cells,

Together or photovoltaics
We CAN Change the World! (PVs), which produce
electricity from sunlight. If you're interested in producing
your own "green power," utility companies will often
help finance the cost of installing your PV system.
Some companies even let you connect your generating
system directly to their electric system. If your
generation exceeds your consumption you gain credits on your bill.
(http://www.clarkpublicutilities.com/Residential/solarPrograms and
http://www.energytaxincentives.org/tiap-residential-solar-energy-systems.html)
81) A solar swimming pool heater is very cost effective and can pay for
itself in as little as 3 to 5 years. Then you've got many years of virtually free pool
heating. (http://www.clarkpublicutilities.com/Residential/solarPrograms/solarPoolHeatLoan)
82) Recycle your sneakers with Nike Reuse-A-Shoe.

Reuse-A-Shoe collects, slices, and grinds up used (any
brand) and defective (Nike only) athletic shoes to make Nike
Grind material, which is then used in sports surfaces. Since
its inception in 1993, the Reuse-A-Shoe program has recycled
more than 13 million pairs of shoes and has helped donate over
20
100 athletic courts, tracks, fields and playground surfaces to communities around
the world. The National Recycling Coalition has partnered with Nike and is
currently in the following states: AZ, CA, CO, CT, ID, IL, MA, MI, MO, ND, NJ,
NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, SC, TX, WA, WI, and Washington D.C. If your state is not
listed, they want to hear from you. Visit this link: www.nrc-
recycle.org/partnerships/nike/index.htm And read more about it on the
nikebiz.com website:
http://www.nike.com/nikebiz/nikebiz.jhtml?page=27&cat=reuseashoe
83) Does your state have a "bottle bill"? Bottle bills are a proven,
sustainable method of capturing beverage bottles and cans for
recycling. The refund value of the container (usually 5 or 10
cents) provides money as an incentive to return the containers
for recycling. They also supply recyclable materials for a high-
demand market, conserve energy and natural resources,
create new businesses and jobs, reduce waste disposal costs
and reduce litter. And no state bottle bill has ever been
repealed. The Container Recycling Institute offers 2
websites. The CRI website (www.container-recycling.org) gives
general information about container recycling. The Bottle Bill Resource Guide
(www.bottlebill.org) is dedicated to issues specifically related to beverage
container deposit legislation or bottle bills. If you are interested in advocating for
a bottle bill, but not sure where to start, get CRI's "Bottle Bill Toolkit" at
www.toolkit.container-recycling.org.
84) Recycle your aluminum cans! The average American

bought 351 aluminum cans last year – twice as many as in 1980.
Between 1990 and 2000 Americans wasted a total of 7.1
million tons of cans – enough to manufacture 316,000
Boeing 737 airplanes. Since the first Earth Day in 1970,
Americans have wasted an estimated 910 billion aluminum cans
worth over $15 billion. The quantity of cans wasted in 2001 --
759,625 tons – was equivalent to the entire
annual production capacity of four major aluminum smelters in
the Pacific Northwest. That was also greater than the amount
21
used nationally for trucks, buses, bridges, street and highway
applications combined. And laid end-to-end, those 50.7 billion cans would encircle
the Earth 153 times. (http://bottlebill.org/impacts/aluminum_waste.htm)
85) Does recycling your aluminum cans really make a difference?

Consider these facts:
 Recycling cans takes one third as much energy as making them from bauxite
 The electric and thermal energy required to replace the cans wasted since
1970 – 16 million tons of metal – is equivalent to about 342 million barrels of
crude oil – or 15 billion gallons of gasoline. Enough to supply the total energy
needs of 20 million homes for a year or supply 29 million cars with gasoline
for a full year.
 Replacing one wasted can requires about
0.5kWh of electricity – enough to light a 100-
watt bulb for 5 hours, or to power an average
laptop computer for 11 hours
 More than 2 million tons of coal were burned to
generate the thermal and electric energy required to
replace just half the cans wasted in the U.S. last year
 Over 3 million tons of greenhouse gases were produced to replace the
aluminum cans trashed in 2001 with new cans made from virgin materials and
2 ½ billion gallons of water were used.
(http://bottlebill.org/impacts/aluminum_waste.htm)
86) Please don't litter! Put your cigarette butts in ash trays (and then deposit
those ash trays in waste receptacles – not parking lots or roadsides). Littering has
resulted in litter taxes, which generate funds to educate the public about not
littering. Very little of that money is used for actual litter cleanup. Cleaning up
litter is much like mopping up the floor while the faucet is running. It's so easy to
put your trash in appropriate trash containers. The few extra steps to the trash
will benefit to your health as well. (http://bottlebill.org/impacts/litter.htm)
87) Buying a new car? Consider purchasing a hybrid.

Hybrids come in compact car, compact SUV, midsize car,
midsize SUV, and two seaters. Visit
www.hybridcenter.org to find the key consumer
resources on how hybrid vehicles might fit into your
lifestyle, detailed comparisons of hybrid technologies,
22
reviews, and comments from current hybrid owners around the nation. This site is a
project of the Union of Concerned Scientists (www.ucsusa.org/index.jsp). There
are currently no hybrids available in the large car, minivan or pickup truck
categories. But if you'd like to find the most fuel-efficient models (of any car or
truck) currently on the market, got to the ACEEE Green Book
(http://www.greenercars.com/byclass.html)
88) Ever thought of "driving vegetarian"? You can drive your car on 100%
used vegetable oil. Greasecar vegetable Fuel Systems allow
mechanically injected diesel vehicles to run on straight, filtered
vegetable oil. Vegetable oil as fuel is cleaner, safer and less
expensive than petroleum based fuel. It can be locally
produced – even grown in your own back yard. The Greasecar
Vegetable Oil Conversion System is an auxiliary fuel
modification system for diesel vehicles. The kit comes with
everything you need to convert your diesel vehicle to run on
vegetable oil. Visit www.greasecar.com for information.
Other sites are: Golden Fuel Systems.com (http://www.greasel.com/) and Grease

Works (www.greaseworks.org/index.php) . DISCLAIMER: Unlike biodiesel, this is
an experimental fuel and is not covered under any manufacturer's warranty, is not
considered by the EPA or IRS as "legitimate" on-road fuel, and should be used with
caution. And, except for copious anecdotal evidence that does not hold up to
scientific scrutiny, there is no clear evidence that this type of fuel is not
detrimental in the long-term modern diesel engine (visit
www.greaseworks.org/index.php for more information).
89) If you have a diesel car, consider using biodiesel. Biodiesel is the name
of a clean burning alternative fuel produced from domestic, renewable resources.
It contains no petroleum, but can be blended at any level with petroleum diesel to
create a biodiesel blend. It can be used in
compression-ignition (diesel) engines with no major
modifications. Biodiesel is simple to use,
biodegradable, nontoxic, and essentially free of
sulfur and aromatics. Biodiesel is registered as a
fuel and fuel additive with the EPA (Environmental
23
Protection Agency) and meets clean diesel standards established by the California
Air Resources Board (CARB). Neat (100 percent) biodiesel has been designated as
an alternative fuel by the Department of Energy (DOE) and the U.S. Department
of Transportation (DOT). This information came from
www.nbb.org/pdf_files/fuelfactsheets/CommonlyAsked.PDF. Biodiesel is available
anywhere in the U.S. The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) maintains a list of
registered fuel suppliers as well as petroleum distributors and retail fueling sites.
A current list is available on the biodiesel web site at www.biodiesel.org
90) Consider eating grass-fed beef. These cattle are not fed grain and are
allowed to roam in organic (no pesticide or herbicide) pastures.
(Most beef in our stores comes from feedlot cattle that are
routinely fed hormones – to induce growth -- and
antibiotics to deter health problems associated with
feedlots.) Some of the environmental benefits of grass-
fed beef are:
 Reduction in heat-trapping gases that contribute to global warming
 Decreased fuel use
 Decreased soil erosion
 Improved air quality
 Reduction of antibiotic residues in water supplies
To learn more about where to find grass-fed beef go to www.americangrassfed.org

and for greater detail regarding grass-fed and pasture-fed cattle (see #89) visit
www.ucsusa.org/food_and_environment/sustainable_food/greener-pastures.html
91) Consider purchasing milk and dairy products that come from
pasture-fed dairy cattle. The reasons are the same as #88 above. The
American Grassfed Association maintains a list of producers at
www.americangrassfed.org
92) Consider composting. Food and paper are the two

largest components in landfills, accounting for nearly 50% of all
municipal solid waste. According to the EPA, food waste is the
#1 least recycled material. You don't have to have a big yard
to do composting. You can compost in your kitchen. Recycle
food (vegetables, coffee grounds, even dairy, meat and fish)
24
and paper waste into rich, organic fertilizer right in your kitchen. No odors, worms,
bugs, hand mixing or turning. Uses just 10 watts of electricity – takes just 2 weeks.
Avoid chemical fertilizers in your garden – produce your own rich, organic fertilizer
and save our landfills. Visit www.naturemill.com to learn more.
93) Consider purchasing all natural furniture. Look for products that are
earth-friendly and organic: cotton, wool, hemp, natural rubber latex. Also look for
items made from recycled products. Try putting "all natural organic furniture" in
your favorite search engine to find companies and organizations specializing in such
products.
Make a difference in your everyday shopping and get your own online Mall.
OR create EVEN GREATER income for your favorite cause (and yourself)
by getting malls for both of you. Contact the person who gave you this e-
book. If there is no one, visit: www.MyPowerMall.com for more information.
94) Use wood products that have the FSC (Forest

Stewardship Council) logo, which guarantees the wood
came from a certified, well-managed forest. Many
retailers in the U.S. stock FSC products including The
Home Depot, Lowe's Home Improvement Centers, and
Kinko's. Ask your local retailer for information on their
FSC-certified products. For more information on the
Forest Stewardship Council, visit their website at
www.fscus.org.
95) If you own a business consider joining 1% For The Planet. This is an
alliance of businesses committed to leveraging their resources to create a
healthier planet. Businesses donate at least 1% of their annual net revenues to
environmental organizations worldwide. It also creates opportunities for collective
25
marketing and information sharing on best environmental practices. The alliance
promotes its business membership at every opportunity, thus increasing your
visibility. You use the 1% For The Planet logo, thus letting your customers know of
your company's commitment to ensure a healthy planet now and for the future. If
you don't own a business – encourage your "boss" to consider joining 1% For The
Planet. Give him/her this URL www.onepercentfortheplanet.org.
To see the list of member businesses go to

www.onepercentfortheplanet.org/ourmembers.htm and consider doing business
with them.
96) If you sit on the Board of an organization or business considering new

construction, encourage them to "go green." That's not painting the walls or
building green – it's designing the building to be
environmentally friendly. Encourage them to seek
Leadership in Energy and Environment Design (LEED)
certification from the Washington-based U.S. Green
Building Council. LEED is a coalition of builders,
architects, government agencies and nonprofit groups.
While meeting the energy-efficient and environmental
guidelines may add 3.5 – 4% to the building budget, the
energy cost savings from the design could
reach 30%. That really is a "spend now, save later" mantra that works! To learn
more about LEED and building green, visit their website at www.usgbc.org.
97) Join the Ben & Jerry's Lick Global Warming

Campaign. Commit to reducing your annual CO2 emissions by
5% or 2000 lbs. Learn how to do that by using their Take
Action Table (www.lickglobalwarming.org/pledge.cfm). For
instance, by avoiding 15 miles of driving per week (carpool,
walk, ride your bike, etc.) you'll eliminate 900 pounds of
CO2 emissions per year. Or by keeping your car
in good running order with regular maintenance, including
regular oil changes and tune-ups, you'll save 1,000 pounds of
CO2 emissions! Did you know that under-inflated tires can increase your fuel
consumption by 6%? Replace 3 standard incandescent light bulbs with 3 compact
fluorescent bulbs and save 300 pounds of CO2. Those are just 3 of the 11 ways the
table suggests.
26
98) And while we're talking about Ben & Jerry's visit their website
(www.benjerry.com/our_company/sounds_cool) and learn how they're working with
Penn State University to create a thermoacoustic refrigeration prototype.
(Refrigeration that uses environmentally friendly sound/pressure waves instead of
toxic gases for cooling.)
99) Support new wind farms and dairy farm

methane projects by joining The CoolDriver(sm)
Campaign (www.cooldriver.org). Did you know that each
gallon of gas burned in your car produces 19.5 lbs of CO2?
And that the average car in the US produces 6 tons of CO2
each year? Find out how you can become part of the
solution and still drive your car at The CoolDriver (sm)
Campaign site.
100) You can also buy Green Tags to financially support wind farms and
join the fight against global warming. Even if you can't purchase wind energy, by
purchasing Green Tags you achieve the same environmental benefits. Purchasing
Green Tags (and ordinary electricity from your utility company) is the same as
buying green electricity (electricity produced by environmentally friendly
generators, such as wind turbines). Visit www.nativeenergy.com/how-works.html to
find out how it works, and to help fight carbon dioxide emissions.
101) Use environmentally friendly cleaners instead of

chemicals. Here are a few: Window Cleaner: mix ½ cup white
vinegar in one quart warm water. Silver Cleaner: put 1 teaspoon
salt and 1 teaspoon baking soda in 2-3 inches of boiling water
in an aluminum foil-lined pan. Add silver and boil three more
minutes. Oven Cleaner: mix 1 part vinegar to 4 parts water in
a spray bottle. Spray onto cool oven surface and scrub the
oven clean. Use baking soda on stubborn spots. All-Purpose
Bathroom & Kitchen Cleaner: dissolve 2 tablespoons baking soda in 1
pint warm water. Add lemon juice or vinegar to cut grease. Visit the National
Wildlife Federation's "Get Green" web pages for more ideas:
www.nwf.org/getgreen.
5 More BONUS IDEAS follow:
27
102) Kill roaches naturally – keep a spray bottle of soapy water on hand.
Spraying roaches directly with soapy water will kill them.
(http://eartheasy.com/live_natpest_control.htm#c)
103) Recycle your electronic gadgets! With

nearly one billion pounds of electronics being
discarded in the U.S. each year, the National
Wildlife Federation (NWF), is partnering with
Access Recycling to reduce the amount of
electronics ending up in landfills and incinerators.
They recycle old phones, cell phones, inkjet, laser
toner, fax and copier cartridges, laptop computers,
PDAs, and 60 or more desktop computers
and accessories. Visit this website for information on
packaging and getting pre-paid FedEx labels:
www.nwf.org/getgreen/recyclefaq.cfm
104) Support industries that recycle tires by buying items made from tires.
You can find doormats, roofing, playground material, pet products and much more.
(www.rbrubber.com)
105) Use antifreeze that contains propylene glycol rather than ethylene
glycol as it will eventually break down into water and carbon dioxide. However, both
are very toxic to pets and wildlife and the sweet taste of the antifreeze attracts
animals to any spills. And large quantities of glycol can suffocate aquatic life and
disrupt sewage treatment processes. Dispose of correctly.
(http://www.eetcorp.com/antifreeze/antifreeze-faq.htm#q14)
106) Don't use higher wattage bulbs than necessary. And dust/clean your
lamp shades and bulbs regularly to ensure maximum light. Dirt absorbs light. (see
www.clarkpublicutilities.com/Residential/billControl/energySavingTips/saveOnLight
ing)
28
Well, there you have them – 101+ Ways to Help Our Earth. There are
many, many more but these should help you get started. Remember –
every little bit does make a difference! Choose one or two ways to get
started and when they become "second nature" to you, add a few more.
And thank you for making a difference.
Together We Can Change The World!
See next page for our special gifts to you.
29
&
Campaign to mobilize a force of good that will sweep across the globe and create true
sustainable CHANGE on every continent.
It's not just enough to say you want to help create CHANGE - you have to have the
resources and tools to do just that. The Together We Can Change The World
Association has created everything you need - giving it to you totally FREE as our
contribution to CHANGE.
_____________________________
E-Cards
Prints & Posters
_____________________________
Will you RAISE YOUR HAND and become part of 5 Million For Change or 5 Million
Students For Change??
30
I will take time TODAY to make a difference in the

world.

person.
I will take time TODAY to spread some love & caring

in my world.
EVERYDAY!

CHANGE!
31
101 Ways to Show Appreciation
to Your Volunteers
By Ginny Dye & Sandi Valentine
Together We Can Change the World, Inc.

Together We Can Change the World Publishing
1
From the Authors:
Volunteers are the life-blood of many organizations and businesses. If you

use volunteers, you depend upon their passion and commitment to get
much of your work done. But utilizing volunteers is much more than
making an appeal and then giving assignments to those who show up.
Because volunteers are precious to your organization, they need to be

treated with respect. Today's volunteers expect and deserve more than a
name badge and a pat on the back. They need to know they are a valued
part of your business or organization. And they need to be appreciated
and cared for, even as you appreciate and care for your staff.
This book offers you 101 ways to show appreciation to your volunteers –
that's part of keeping them. We also offer tips on recruitment, placement,
management, and retention of these very special people.
We barely scratch the surface in this little book. There is a wealth of

information available on volunteerism. We have tried to pull as much
information as possible into one place for your convenience.
We wish you the very best!
Ginny
Gi nny & Sandi
This book is our gift to you

Because we believe that
Together We Can Change the World!
For more free Ebooks, Ecards, and

Prints, please visit us at
2
101 Ways to Show Appreciation to Volunteers
1) Create a Volunteer of the Week/Month award. You can make

it as simple or elaborate as you want. But make your volunteers feel
special to you and to your organization. The happier your volunteers are
the better. They will not only find satisfaction in working with you, they
will represent you well in the community. Make sure every volunteer
receives the award because each one is making some kind of sacrifice for
you (time with family, etc.) and deserves your appreciation.
2) Have a Volunteer Celebrity Week. Treat all volunteers like

celebrities for that week. Put gold stars with their
names on them along the walkway into the
building, in the hallways, wherever they'll be seen.
Give over the staff lounge to the volunteers for the
week. Decorate it with a celebrity theme and
provide food all week long. Specially mark the
front parking spots for "volunteers only" – have
the CEO and others give up their parking spots for
the week.
3) Give your volunteers special parking spots. Depending on the

number of volunteers serving your organization it may not be possible to
give all volunteers special parking spots. However, you could certainly
offer a special parking spot for your Volunteer of the Week/Month.
Showing such a physical appreciation will mean a lot to your volunteers
and will also let your staff see your commitment.
4) Provide a Suggestion Box for volunteers. Have someone take

the suggestions every day and compile them. Be sure to present them at
staff meetings and consider their merit. Fresh ideas from different
perspectives can help your organization better serve the community. If
someone signs their "suggestion," send a quick "thank you" for their time
and comments/ideas.
3
5) Offer a special "Just-For-You Day" for your volunteers.
Have an on-site carwash. Arrange to have lunches brought in for them.
Provide a dry cleaning pick up and delivery service that day. Show
volunteers how much you value their time and service.
6) Have an Annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner. Let the

volunteers be your honored guests for the evening. That means they don't
help with any aspect of the dinner -- publicity, evening arrangements,
setting up, serving, cooking or cleaning. This evening is for them. Along
with a sit-down dinner, present certificates, gifts, plaques, etc. to each
volunteer. If their supervisors give the awards, be sure to have the CEO
give a certificate and shake their hands. Have a photographer available for
a quick photo-shoot with the presenter and CEO. Make sure they receive
the picture in a thank you card within the next week.
7) Send birthday cards to your volunteers. Have their supervisor

and CEO sign the cards and write a sentence or two of appreciation.
There's something special about being noticed on your birthday!
8) Have a rose or bouquet of balloons

delivered on their birthday. If the volunteer is
working that day, have the rose or balloons delivered
to them at work. If they're at home, arrange for them to
be delivered there.
9) Celebrate their anniversary of service with your

organization. Let your volunteers know you are aware of how long
they've been working on your behalf and how much you appreciate their
loyalty. Let them know the difference their year(s) of service have meant
to you personally.
10) Provide babysitting for your volunteers. If your organization

doesn't have on-site child care, offer your volunteer professional child care
from a licensed and reputable agency.
11) Keep your volunteers "in the loop." Make sure supervisors
share memorandums and notices about your organization to their
4
volunteer helpers. This is especially important if policy or personnel
changes will directly affect them. You don't want these loyal workers to be
"the last to know" what's happening in the organization they're
supporting with their valuable time.
12) Take your volunteer out to coffee/tea or lunch. Spend some

one-on-one time that is devoted just to him or
her. Take this opportunity to share
personally how much this person and his/her
work means to you and your organization.
Ask how they're doing. Allow them to share
about family, personal goals, etc. Knowing
that you care about him/her as a person, as
well as how he or she is contributing to your
organization is very important to volunteers.
13) Smile and acknowledge volunteers. Since volunteers do not

receive remuneration, it's important to make them feel valued. A simple
smile and hand shake or pat on the back let's them know you appreciate
their time and efforts on your behalf.
14) Be kind and thoughtful. If a volunteer looks bewildered, find

out why and address the problem or issue. If he or she appears distracted,
find out if there is a way you or someone else can help. Your volunteer
may be having a bad day because of personal problems, or just because he
or she needs a word or two of encouragement.
15) Make sure volunteers have the space, equipment and

resources they need. Nothing discourages a volunteer more than
being ignored or being put into a situation without the proper instructions
or resources for the task they've been asked to do. Ask if they have
questions and make sure they completely understand their task. Check
back often to make sure they have everything they need or if they have
any questions. Respond immediately.
5
Volunteer Recruitment
When selecting volunteers it's important to recruit the right people. You'll
want individuals who share the vision of your organization. They will
need to be "team players" and willing to take directions. They will also
need to be dependable and willing to commit to a certain number of hours
as well as a certain length or duration of time.
Where do you find the right people? Following are different ways to
recruit volunteers for your organization.
Word-of-mouth
Ask your staff members. Many of them will be able and willing to
volunteer. And ask them to invite their friends and family members to
volunteer. The very best way to recruit a volunteer is a one-on-one
invitation. The very least effective way is a "blanket" invitation. Many
more people will say "yes" if asked directly. Encourage your staff and
board members to set a goal of recruiting five or ten new volunteers every
year.
Newsletters
Use all of your written communication (hard copy as well
as e-zines, email, and your website). Let your readers know
you are looking for volunteers and ask for referrals. Be sure to
include the contact person's name and information.
Website
More and more people are utilizing the Internet. They are using it for
everything from posting job résumés, to regular online shopping, to
finding businesses. Provide a place for volunteers to sign up – and make it
easy to find! Include a tab on every page to your volunteer
information/sign-up page. Post your projects on the Together We Can
Change the World Day.com site so even more volunteers can find you!
Flyers
Utilize this free form of advertising wherever you go. Flyers can be made
available at fundraising events, dinners, in your reception area, at
businesses that support your organization.
6
High Schools
Many high schools require students to complete a certain number of
volunteer service hours. Let your local high schools know you are willing
to train and utilize high school students as volunteers. There may be
paper work and requirements expected of your organization in order to
qualify for working with high school students. Ask if there are "job fairs"
you can participate in during the year.
Colleges
Many college students are looking for ways to gain work experience. Let
the Placement Offices and Counseling Offices know your organization is
looking for qualified individuals and that you will train and work with
students and Interns. Also ask if you can set up a table on campus during
the school week to hand out flyers and brochures. Also be sure to take
advantage of any "job fairs" throughout the year.
Fundraising Events
Your fundraising events are natural places
to set up a table to display flyers and
brochures. Be sure to have people sitting at
the table to talk with those who stop by.
You want people who are friendly,
knowledgeable, and outgoing to be at this
table to answer questions and give further
information.
Information Booths and Tables

Participate in community events and have tables or booths with your
flyers and brochures. As mentioned above, you'll want to have people at
your booth or table who are friendly, knowledgeable and outgoing.
Contests or Give-Aways
Contests and give-aways always gain attention. These are great times to
inform the public about your organization and solicit volunteers. There is
a feeling of reciprocity that occurs when you give something away –
people will often respond positively to you in return.
7
Advertising
Nothing says you can't advertise! Tell about your organization and offer
the opportunity to become part of what you're doing by volunteering. You
might refer people to your website where they can find out more
information and download an application. A note of warning: if you are
an organization that works with children, be very intentional and
thorough about getting several references and doing background checks
on all volunteers and workers.
Telephone
The telephone is still a powerful instrument and needs to be used with
respect for the person receiving the call. It's a good idea to have scripts
available for those who are calling. This insures all pertinent information
is given and the caller remains focused on the purpose and duration of the
call. Follow-through (sending information, email response, etc.) is very
important after the call to ensure your organization's integrity. Be sure to
train those who will be doing the calling.
How to Ask
How you ask someone to volunteer is very important. Here are some
ideas on how to be more effective in your invitation.
• Ask one-on-one, preferably face-to-face. Making an announcement

from the podium rarely results in people volunteering.
• Approach the invitation as something important – because it is!
Make an appointment (over coffee, lunch or even in their office) so
the individual knows you take this seriously.
• Invitations need to be positive, personal and direct.
• Mention the attributes that make that person a good match for your
organization and the specific position you are asking them to
consider.
• Offer training and support.
• Give a specific time frame – don't make it sound like this is a life-
long commitment!
• Be enthusiastic.
8
• Have a job description. Know exactly what you're asking them to
do so you can answer questions. Let them know what you expect
from them and what they can expect from you.
• Be honest – if the task will involve extra meetings or time on the
telephone, etc., let your prospect know up front.
• If the person is not interested or hesitates it may be a sign of
shyness or lack of interest in that particular job. Encourage
questions or comments.
• Ask questions and listen – let your prospective volunteer tell you
what they enjoy doing and what motivates them. It will help you
determine whether other positions may be more interesting and
fulfilling for your new volunteer.
• If there is a problem for the volunteer in terms of time
commitments, ask if he or she would be willing to do one-time or
emergency tasks.
• Always thank the person for his or her time whether they become a
volunteer or not.
• Don't expect an immediate answer. If you get one, great! Otherwise
give the individual a week or so to consider your invitation. Assure
him or her that you'll get back by phone (give the day) unless he or
she contacts you first.
More Tips About Recruiting Volunteers
Be respectful of peoples' time. While the adage is true that "if you want to
get something done, ask a busy person," it's also true that if a person is
already over-committed, be respectful and don't ask him or her to take on
more.
Be sensitive to people's strengths and interests. If someone is outgoing

and friendly, that person will most likely be happier serving as a greeter
or on the hospitality or outreach committee instead of helping with
mailings.
New volunteers should probably start with one-time jobs. There is a

two-fold reason for this. First, the volunteer has the satisfaction of
finishing a job, meets others in the organization, and discovers whether he
or she is a "good fit" with you. Second, you learn quickly whether this
9
person is dependable, follows directions, is a team player, and is a good
member of your team.
Consider creating smaller task forces instead of larger committees. Work

can get done more quickly and relationships are easier to develop within
smaller groups. This in turn motivates and encourages your volunteers.
More Appreciation Ideas
16) Send thank you notes. It's never too late to say thank you and
everyone appreciates being thanked. Be specific in your thanks and
highlight what they did. Be sure to use their name once or twice.
Handwrite your notes – avoid typewritten or generic thank you notes.
17) Surprise your Volunteer of the Week/Month and go

public with lawn signs. Either choose
something outrageous (like pink flamingoes) or
have a generic lawn sign made for the awardees. (A
generic lawn sign allows you to use it for all of your
volunteers.) Either way, let their neighbors see how
much you appreciate your volunteer. Be sure the
signs are designed so it's obvious why they've
appeared on their neighbor's lawn. Leave a note of
thanks and appreciation on their doorstep from you
and your organization.
18) Create a Volunteer Wall in a public place in your

building. You can create a tree with volunteers' names on the leaves or
a wall with their names on each brick, etc. A permanent, visible display
not only makes the volunteers feel valuable, it makes the same statement
to your organization and the public.
19) Do you have an outdoor patio area? Create an area you can
keep adding to and put the name of one volunteer on each brick. Or
designate an area in honor of all your organization's volunteers. You
might even name the patio in honor of your volunteers.
10
20) Include volunteers on your mailing and emailing lists.
Keeping your volunteers informed will enhance their relationship with
you and your organization. They will feel more ownership in the
organization they are serving and supporting.
21) Include volunteers on committees and invite them to

attend meetings. The more information your volunteers have about
your organization and the more involved they are, the more informed
they will be and the more loyal. Remember, they are representing your
organization in the community. You want them to represent you well.
22) Reimburse volunteers' project-

related expenses. Don't expect
volunteers to secure resources that are
your obligation to provide. If they are
running errands for your organization, be
sure they submit mileage and gas
receipts. Consider allowing them to use
company cars when appropriate.
23) Offer yourself as a reference resource. Some volunteers may

be offering their services and skills as a way to gain experience in your
field. Offer to write references for them when needed. You most likely
won't lose them as a volunteer, but will gain an even more devoted and
loyal volunteer.
24) Give your volunteers permission to say "no." When asking

someone to become a volunteer, or when asking a volunteer to take on
another task (or expand on a current project), always offer a graceful way
for them to decline your request. Keep your requests open-ended and
allow them time to think about it. Let them know that a "yes" or "no"
answer is equally acceptable to you.
25) Know your volunteer's limits. Keep their task assignments in

line with their abilities. You will learn this as you watch your volunteer's
involvement and performance. Unless you know a volunteer personally, it
may be wise to avoid giving a new person a complicated task (i.e.
11
supervising others, organizing and running a program, etc.). Start out
with simpler tasks or projects.
26) Add responsibilities when appropriate. Don't keep a

volunteer doing the same mundane task. Offer new and different projects.
Solicit ideas of what your volunteer would like to do. Or have a list of
projects suitable to that volunteer's time and abilities from which he or she
can choose.
27) Honor your long term, loyal volunteers. If you have a

volunteer who has been with your organization for many years
(regardless of what tasks he or she has performed) make a special day of
recognition. Call it "John or Jenny Smith Day." Have a limo provide
his/her transportation that day. Or arrange with a car-rental agency or
new car dealership to do the same (or arrange for one of your staff
members to do the driving). Alert your staff members to make a point of
showing appreciation to your special volunteer all day.
28) Plan a special outing for your

volunteers. Provide your volunteers with a day at
the beach, the zoo, a museum, a theme park, or an
all-day picnic. If possible, have them recognized via
a sign and/or loud speaker announcements
throughout the day.
29) Provide good orientation. Your volunteers need to feel

comfortable with you and your staff. Be sure to have someone show them
around the facility so they know the location of the restrooms, lunch
room, lounge, and other areas where they are welcome. Show them where
they should park. Tell them when lunch hours are, telephone numbers
they will need, etc. Give them the same orientation you give your staff
members.
30) Create a friendly environment. These are very valuable people.

Treat them that way. Make their work environment as clean, attractive,
and pleasant as possible. Make sure your staff members are introduced to
volunteers and know where (and with whom) they'll be working and
12
what they'll be doing. Encourage staff to go out of their way to help and
encourage your volunteers.
31) Maintain safe working conditions. Be sure your volunteers'

work areas are clean and safe. Your organization is liable for the safety of
your volunteers as well as your staff members. Include volunteers in
company-wide safety training as well as job-specific training, especially if
they are using equipment of any kind.
32) Provide professional training. If your

volunteers will be using equipment of any kind
be sure they are given the same training you
give your staff. Don't assume someone knows
how to work a piece of equipment just because
they say they do. Go through the same training
procedures as you do for a new employee. The
volunteer's supervisor should be present (or near
at hand) while a volunteer is using equipment.
33) Give your volunteer the opportunity to attend workshops

and conferences. Investing time and money in your volunteers will
only benefit your organization. They will become better versed in their
understanding of their work and themselves. This will also result in a
more skilled and committed volunteer.
34) Help your volunteers grow and mature in their work. By

rewarding their longevity with increased responsibility and training
opportunities, you not only affirm the individual, you strengthen your
organization. Some volunteers may be reticent in accepting new
responsibilities because they are unsure of themselves. Usually your
encouragement, support and appropriate training will be enough for them
to move into a new area.
35) Be aware of your volunteers' motivation and interests.

Some people may be highly skilled in areas that they have no interest in
pursuing as a volunteer. For instance, a schoolteacher may not want to
"teach" as a volunteer since she does it every day of the week. Allow her to
choose another area of work. On the other hand, another person may be
13
volunteering to gain work experience and training. You will want to take
advantage of his interest and drive.
Volunteer Management
Managing volunteers includes caring for and supervising them. If your

organization is large and you have many volunteers, you may need to hire
a person to serve as the coordinator. If your organization is smaller, you
may need to train those who are responsible for volunteers in their
department or area.
Those working with volunteers need to have good communication skills, a

positive attitude, and be "a people person." They need to have the
supplies and resources to accomplish their jobs. And they need to be able
to delegate responsibility while ensuring the jobs are done correctly and in
the allotted time-frame.
Your coordinator or supervisors need to be able to excel in two main

areas.
1) Matching the right volunteer to the right job. The coordinator or

supervisor needs to be able to assess the volunteers' abilities and interests
and match them to the appropriate jobs. They need to understand that
some volunteers want a stress-free volunteer opportunity, and others
want something challenging. Both kinds of volunteers need to feel they
are contributing to the organization, have value, and are appreciated by
those with whom they work. That means the coordinator or supervisor
also needs to understand the situation and employee dynamics of the area
in which they place a volunteer.
2) Have the right attitude. Your coordinator or supervisor also needs to

be tolerant of others. Volunteers come in all "sizes and shapes." They have
different reasons for volunteering, they come with different skills, and
they will have different levels of involvement and commitment. Your
coordinator or supervisor needs to be able to appreciate individual
differences in people and determine where and with whom each
14
volunteer can serve and find fulfillment. They also need to ensure that
volunteer placements are to the benefit of the organization.
Appreciation Ideas (continued)
36) Help volunteers move into leadership roles within your

organization. It may be that you have a volunteer who has been with
you and proved him or herself over and over again. This is someone you
would like to see as part of your organization's leadership. There is no
reason why you cannot offer this individual an opportunity within your
organization. Many leaders have "come up from within the ranks."
37) Collect feedback from your

volunteers. These people have a different
perspective of your organization than does
your paid staff. Take advantage of their
insight and point of view. Ask them to fill out
surveys after each project or event in which
they participate. Let anonymity be optional
and encourage complete honesty about their
experience.
38) Take feedback seriously and act on it. Don't take offense at
thoughts and ideas expressed from end-of-project surveys or your
Suggestion Box. Take them at "face value" and as a way to improve
what you're doing and how you are presenting your organization to the
public. View them as a positive thing -- your volunteers care enough to
share these thoughts and comments with you. Then act upon them!
39) Greet your volunteers by name. Look them in the eyes and
smile. If you can't remember their names simply say so. They won't mind.
In fact, they'll be impressed that you took the time to ask! Be sure to
smile and thank them for their work. Let them know you care about what
they're doing and the experience they're having. Encourage them to use
the Suggestion Box, talk to their supervisor, and/or use end-of-project
surveys.
15
40) Write a Volunteer Column in your newsletter. Feature a
different volunteer with each edition. If you only put out an occasional
communication, you might want to highlight several volunteers in each
edition. Use pictures if possible and include how long the volunteer has
been with you, what he or she did, and how it benefited your
organization. People love to see their names in print!
41) Produce an annual Recognition Edition of your

newsletter. In addition to a regular Volunteer Column, produce a
newsletter that features only volunteers. Include pictures taken
throughout the year at various functions and events. Be sure to include
the names of your volunteers in captions! List all the volunteers and the
number of years and hours they've volunteered. Or instead of individual
hours, provide a total number of volunteer hours. Celebrate your
volunteers in print!
42) Send a synopsis of your Recognition Edition newsletter

to the local newspaper as a news release. Newspapers are always
looking for human interest stories. Be sure to include a contact person and
their contact information (phone numbers, email address, etc.) for the
newspaper to call for an interview. You will find a template of a news
release in the Appendix of this book.
43) Send public service announcements.

Alert your local radio stations about your annual
Volunteer Banquet and Award Ceremonies. Most
stations have a free community section when they
will read your announcement. Send a similar news
release to your local newspaper.
44) Send an annual letter of appreciation to your volunteers.

These letters should be personal and specifically mention what they've
done and the number of hours they've given your organization. Include a
certificate of appreciation that is suitable for framing. Be sure to write a
few sentences of thanks in your own handwriting! And sign each letter
yourself.
16
45) Send a letter of appreciation to their employer. Your
volunteer's employer may be unaware of the time their employee is
offering to the community. Be sure to include the impact the volunteer is
having on your organization. Who knows, the employer may contact you
for a future partnership.
46) Do 6-month or annual evaluations. Afford your volunteers

the opportunity to hear how much they are appreciated by you. And give
them the chance to express their feelings, suggestions and comments.
Unlike employee evaluations, make this an informal time (don't even call
it an evaluation). Take your volunteer out to lunch or coffee and enjoy
some time away from the office while you appreciate your volunteer.
47) Provide a volunteer network event. Throw a party just for

your volunteers and let them network. They'll share stories, compare
events and projects, and enjoy talking about what
they've done over the past year. You may
want to show a video or slide presentation of
the past year's events. Include all the
volunteer work that's been done (some will
be office work and other behind-the-scenes
kind of work). Let them enjoy the
camaraderie.
48) Allow experienced volunteers to train newcomers. You've

probably got volunteers who have been with you for years and know the
"ins and outs" of your organization and their jobs. Let them train the
newer volunteers. Friendships will be made and the new volunteers will
have an immediate support system.
49) Provide clear job descriptions. Your volunteer needs to know

exactly what is expected. Put it in writing so it can be referred to as
needed. As part of the description, include the "obvious" things:
supervisor's name and phone number and when and how to contact
him/her if they are going to be late to work or unable to come; parking
instructions; lunch room expectations; what can and cannot be shared
outside of work, etc.
17
50) Always have work available. This sounds obvious but
sometimes volunteers finish a project and have nothing to do. Be
respectful of their time and don't waste it. Have tasks or projects ready for
them to start as soon as they complete what they're currently working on.
51) Make sure your volunteer's work is meaningful and

enjoyable. While it's true that not every task is "fun," it can still be
enjoyable. Let the volunteer know the purpose of the task or project. Every
job is important for the ongoing welfare of the organization. Let your
volunteer feel part of that importance! Knowing that their work is not just
"busy work" but has an important reason will make it much more
enjoyable!
52) Reward your volunteers with an informal social event.

Organize potluck dinners or picnics for your volunteers. Let them help do
the planning and organizing. Include their families, the CEO, and their
supervisors so they can get to know each other in a different venue.
Relationship building is important.
53) Write policies and procedures for

volunteers. Your staff and volunteers need to know
what is expected of them. The staff needs to know
what is expected of them in relation to volunteers.
And the volunteers need to know what your
expectations are of them with regards to their
relationship with your staff. Guidelines that include
both volunteers and staff will help keep things running
smoothly in your organization.
54) Be clear on the roles of paid staff and volunteers. The

policies and procedures will help here, as will clear job descriptions for
both staff and volunteers. This is especially important where you have
longtime, experienced volunteers working with newly employed staff
members.
55) Provide clear lines of supervision. Your staff and volunteers

need to know who is "in charge" at all times. It may be that volunteers will
18
supervise other volunteers. It may be that all volunteers report to a single
staff member. This needs to be explained and understood by all involved.
Volunteer Retention
Now that you've got them, how do to you keep your volunteers? How do
you motivate them to keep coming back project after project, year after
year? The bottom line is -- you've got to keep them happy and fulfilled.
Providing doughnuts, name tags, certificates of appreciation and parking
privileges will not be enough to foster loyalty or commitment.
We've already discussed how recruiting the right people will give you
motivated volunteers.
Bringing in people who share your vision is important. They also need to
feel confident that what they are contributing to your organization is
significant.
The 101+ ideas in this book deal with how to make your volunteers feel
that they are appreciated. But how do you give them confidence that what
they are contributing to your mission is important and worthwhile? This
is also an important factor in volunteer retention.
1) Foster relationships among your

volunteers and staff. People volunteer for a
multitude of reasons, but they choose an
organization for a motivation greater than
profit. They are taking time away from other responsibilities, from family
and friends to volunteer with you because they share a common mission
with those in your organization. Make sure they are warmly welcomed
and are given opportunities to make friends among those with whom they
are working.
2) Be flexible. Time may be a factor for some of your volunteers. Offer

them volunteer opportunities in the evenings, on weekends, mornings or
afternoons. This will help them balance work, family and perhaps school.
19
Keep a list of available short-term as well as long-term jobs. Allow
volunteers to switch jobs.
3) Be clear on the importance of the task. Your volunteers need to know

that whatever task they are performing, it is important. If your volunteers
don't feel that they are contributing to your mission (regardless of the size
or apparent significance of the task), they won't feel needed. If your
volunteers feel that they are wasting their time, your retention rate will
drop dramatically.
4) Expect good work and offer frequent praise. Your volunteers should
perform good work for you. In return you need to offer frequent thanks
and appreciation for that work. They obviously aren't expecting monetary
payment for their work, but they do expect, and deserve, emotional
payment. Thank them often – and sincerely. Make specific comments
about what pleases you.
5) Provide alternative work. It may happen

that your volunteer will turn up to perform a
task that has already been completed. Be sure to
have other work waiting. Your volunteer has
made an extra effort to show up to help.
Respect him or her by giving the message
that their time is precious and appreciated.
6) Be organized. Have all the materials, tools and resources ready when
your volunteer arrives to work. Don't waste their time while you
rummage around trying to pull things together after their arrival. Give the
message that volunteering for your organization is a wise use of their
time. And include written instructions. Your volunteer shouldn't be
expected to figure things out on their own. Have someone nearby to
answer questions and give proper guidance when necessary.
7) Make your volunteer part of your team. Your volunteer will stick
around for a long time if he or she feels included. Share your successes
with your volunteer. They want to feel part of the group's
accomplishments. Make sure your volunteer is included in discussions
and planning. Keep them involved and off of the sidelines. Assign a
20
"buddy" to them so they never feel alone or forgotten. Treat them as you
treat your paid staff.
8) Give immediate feedback. While it's never too late to say "thank you,"
sooner is nicer than later. When your volunteers have done a good job, be
sure you verbalize it and write it down. Your volunteers will feel much
more appreciated and part of the organization if they are told they did a
good job and why. On the other hand, most people want to know if they
need improvement, and how to accomplish it. Let them know that right
away, too. Regardless of the outcome, you'll still want to express your
thanks for their time and commitment!
9) Listen. If necessary improve your listening skills. Listening to what

your volunteer shares with you makes them feel valued. Give your
volunteer your undivided attention when they are talking to you. The
more valued your volunteer feels, the more committed they will be and
the longer they'll work with you.
10) Watch. As you work with your volunteers, be aware of their

strengths and talents. Coach those who have leadership potential. Build
on their successes. Encourage them to go to workshops, seminars and
conferences. You may be developing future leaders for your organization!
11) Have fun! Encourage humor and fun while

working. If possible, allow volunteers to bring food
and music to work. Share anecdotes and stories.
Make work enjoyable. If allowable, let volunteers
bring family members or friends with them to
work alongside them. You'll end up with more
volunteers and get the work done faster!
12) Make volunteer jobs interesting and challenging. If you get bored
doing the task, your volunteer probably will, too. Ask him or her for their
ideas on how to add some fun to the job, or how you could make it more
challenging for them. Different personalities thrive on different kinds of
work. Try to tailor the jobs to the individual as much as possible.
13) Act quickly if a problem arises. Speak with the volunteer in private
as quickly as possible. Ignoring a problem will not make it go away. The
21
best policy is honesty and openness. Address and explain the problem
and ask for the volunteer's help in finding the solution. If necessary you
can refer to the volunteer's job description.
14) Provide ongoing training. People feel valued when given the
opportunity and encouragement to better themselves. Training is one way
you give tangible proof of your support for your volunteers. In return,
your volunteers' satisfaction and commitment to your organization
improves – not to mention their skills!
15) Share the vision. Keep your volunteer "in the loop" by continually
sharing your organization's mission and vision. This can be done verbally
as well as in writing. Once the volunteer connects with and shares your
vision, you have a "volunteer for life."
We hope these ideas have been helpful in considering more

ways to keep your volunteers happy and committed to your
organization.
56) Accept different levels of commitment and involvement.

Each volunteer is different. Some will have a deep commitment to your
organization. Others will be minimally committed. Some will be able to
volunteer many hours during the week. Others will be stretching to
volunteer a few hours each month. Also be aware that involvement and
commitment may also change for each volunteer. Illness, a death in the
family, school, and family responsibilities will have an effect on the
amount of time a person can volunteer.
57) Provide name badges and uniforms or required clothing

(if appropriate). Permanent badges give volunteers a sense of
belonging and value. They help staff members identify volunteers. And
they help members of the public identify volunteers at events. Be sensitive
22
to your volunteers if you require uniforms or specific types of clothing.
Provide the clothing rather than requiring your volunteers to purchase it.
58) Pass on compliments and positive comments you hear

about one of your volunteers. Let the volunteer hear these
encouraging comments. And be sure to pass them along (put them in
writing) to the volunteer's supervisor with a "cc" to the CEO. Make sure
the person who writes the Volunteer Column or annual Recognition
Edition of the newsletter gets a copy!
59) Give volunteers appropriate job titles. Instead of referring to

your volunteers as such, give them job titles that reflect what they're doing
for the organization. If they are an office helper, you might call them an
"Office Assistant." If they assist the program coordinator, you might call
them the "Program Coordinator Assistant."
60) Provide volunteers with "leaves of

absence." Your volunteers have personal needs that
change with time. Encourage them to take the time
they need with the full knowledge that you expect
and want them back. By offering a leave of absence,
you are assuring your volunteer that "their job" will be
waiting for them when they return.
61) Keep in regular contact with volunteers – especially if

they work off-site. Your volunteers need regular encouragement,
support and supervision, just like your paid staff. It's especially important
to stay in touch with volunteers who are working in areas other than the
organization's offices. Don't let them fall to the old adage, "out of sight,
out of mind."
62) When the time comes, let your volunteer leave gracefully.
There will, most likely, come a time when a volunteer needs "to quit."
Provide as easy a way as possible for your volunteers to resign their
positions. It should be written in their job description and the policies and
procedures so there is a predetermined procedure. Most of your
volunteers will have an emotional attachment to the organization,
23
supervisor, etc. This helps take the emotion out of the equation. And when
that day comes, be sure to follow-up with notes of thanks (from the
supervisor, CEO and appropriate departments, etc.). Include an
appropriate gift, plaque, framed certificate, etc.
63) Make sure your CEO, Executive Director and Board of

Directors express their appreciation. It's especially meaningful for
volunteers to hear "thank you" from those ultimately responsible for the
organization. Receiving a handwritten sentence or two will be treasured
for years to come. It will also help cement your volunteer's loyalty.
64) Keep goals before your volunteer. It's easy to lose sight of the
ultimate goal of a task. By keeping the reason – the goal or purpose – for
the job before your volunteer, you are helping him or her relate
significance to their task. It also confirms that he or she is an important
part of what is being accomplished by the organization as a whole.
65) Ask for your volunteers' input. If you are

writing new policies and procedures, be sure to include
your volunteers' ideas. They may have some fresh
ideas and new ways at looking at old systems that will
breathe new life into your organization.
66) Keep an open door policy. Let your

volunteers know that you are always available. Make sure their
supervisors have the same policy! Many problems or issues can be
resolved quickly if you make your volunteers feel you're not only willing,
but eager to hear from them.
67) Debrief your volunteers on a regular basis, especially

after events or projects. By meeting with your volunteers after a
project or event you will gain valuable input and insights. They will help
you see what was successful, what didn't work well, and where
improvements can be made. Debriefing on a regular basis is especially
important if you have volunteers in stressful work (hotlines, mentoring,
etc.).
24
68) Put volunteers' names on what they've produced or
helped with. Giving proper credit to your volunteers is important. If
they created or helped create something; if they organized and produced
an event; if they contributed to new policies, etc., be sure to "put their
name on it." Give them the credit due them.
69) Voice your appreciation quickly. When you see something a

volunteer has done or if you worked alongside a volunteer, be sure to
voice your appreciation immediately. Be specific. If they were especially
sensitive to someone's needs, mention exactly what they did or said that
made the difference. If they produced a beautiful brochure, be specific in
telling them what it was that impressed you. The more specific your
appreciation, the more meaningful it is!
70) Provide insurance coverage. Consider providing insurance for

your volunteers. You can put "insurance for volunteers" in your favorite
search engine to further investigate this option. Or contact your own
insurance company. There is very inexpensive, specialized insurance for
volunteers. You can offer medical expense reimbursement, personal
liability insurance and automobile liability insurance above the
volunteer's own insurances for a ridiculously low annual amount.
71) Use volunteer testimonies in promotional materials. Most

of us love seeing our names in print. Ask for your volunteer's permission
to use their positive comments in your newsletter, annual reports, on your
website, in flyers and brochures. Word-of-mouth is still the best referral!
72) Devote a portion of your budget

for volunteer support. You volunteers
are crucial to your success. Don't short-
change your organization by ignoring the
care and maintenance of your volunteers.
Any investment in your volunteers is an
investment in your organization. (Examples
would be the cost of name badges,
reimbursement for mileage, training events, annual banquets, awards,
etc.)
25
73) Publicize the total number of volunteer hours donated to
your organization. Use this information in your annual report, the
Volunteer Column and annual Recognition Edition of your newsletter,
news releases, and other promotional materials. Sharing this information
highlights the importance of your volunteers in your overall
programming.
74) Provide a volunteers' bulletin board. Put it in the lunch room

or another public place. Use it for special announcements, invitations,
awards, news releases about your volunteers, etc. Allow volunteers and
their supervisors to post items.
75) Always inform your volunteers of changes in personnel.

This goes along with keeping your volunteers "in the loop" and informed
about what's happening in the organization. Your volunteers need to
know about everything that will be affecting them. Just because they
aren't paid doesn't make them "second class citizens." They deserve your
respect.
76) Train your paid staff how to manage volunteers. Be sure to

give them a copy of this book. Ensure that everyone in your organization
understands the importance of volunteers and how important they are to
the mission of your organization. Consider bringing in a speaker every
year for your staff regarding this important issue.
77) Provide accredited training for your volunteers. As we've

mentioned before, the investment of time, money and
training in your volunteers is a direct investment in
your company. The improvement of your staff and
volunteers will directly improve your organization,
morale, and create a better work environment. Happy
staff and volunteers will mean a better community
image. Everyone benefits!
78) Let volunteers evaluate their own performance and job

description. By encouraging your volunteers to evaluate themselves,
26
you are communicating your respect and appreciation to them. You will
not only be improving your personal and professional relationships, you
will be fostering an atmosphere of encouragement and esteem.
79) Don't overwhelm your volunteers with too much work.

While it is important to encourage your volunteers to improve and stretch
by giving them work that challenges and fulfills them, you don't want to
bury them in work. Your temptation may be to give your good workers
even more work. However, you need to allow your volunteers to say "no"
to additional or different work. And remember, their level of involvement
and commitment will change from time to time depending on their
personal lives.
80) Mention and highlight your volunteers at staff meetings.

Not all of your employees will supervise volunteers. Remind everyone on
a regular basis how important your volunteers are. Encourage all
employees to show respect and appreciation to your volunteers whenever
they have the opportunity to do so.
81) Ensure confidentiality for your volunteers. Be sure

volunteer supervisors (and all employees) respect volunteers' need for
privacy and confidentiality. Gossip is never acceptable. Anything shared
by a volunteer is to be treated the same way as a fellow employee. Those
in supervisory positions need to be especially sensitive to this issue.
Nothing shared by the volunteers is to be talked about with other
employees, etc.
82) Celebrate National Volunteer Week

in April. Make this an extra-special week for
your volunteers. Visit PointsOfLight.org for
more information and even more ideas on how
to celebrate and honor your volunteers.
83) Have a "We-Salute-You Day" to

honor your volunteers. Ask your staff
members to salute, smile and say "thank you" every time they see a
volunteer. Be sure everyone participates.
27
84) Calculate and publish the economic impact of your
volunteers. Usually volunteer time has been estimated by using a
predetermined dollar amount. The Value of Volunteer Time is updated
annually and currently (2006) sets $18.05 per hour as the "Independent
Sector rate." However, that assumes all volunteer work is valued the
same. PointsOfLight.org has created what they call the Economic Impact
of Volunteers Calculator that allows you to enter a job title, hourly rate,
hourly benefit and number of hours to calculate a more job-appropriate
economic impact rate. Visit their website and go to their Research &
Evaluation section to access the calculator.
85) Give each volunteer a print out of references for help and
support. Let your volunteers know that you care about them – at work
and at home. Put together a resource that lists all the areas of help within
your organization and in the community at large. Make sure it is included
in every volunteer packet of information and post it on the volunteers'
bulletin board. (It wouldn't hurt to distribute it to your staff as well!)
Business Partnerships
Creating and fostering business partnerships can perform two main

functions. The first is the expansion of your volunteer base by expanding
your presence in the community. The second is helping a business expand
their exposure in the community.
How do you find and foster business partnerships?
1) Ask your current volunteers where they work. Write a letter to their
employer letting them know how much their employee means to your
organization. Then contact that business and explore the possibilities of
partnering together. Offer your organization as a way for their employees
to give back to their community. Suggest ways their business can help
your organization.
2) Become familiar with the book 101 Ways Your Business Can Change
the World and then give copies to business executives with whom you'd
like to partner. (See the back of this book for more information.)
28
3) Walk a couple blocks around your building. Take yourself on a
driving tour around your neighborhood. Notice the businesses that are
near you. Offer to make a presentation about the volunteer opportunities
your organization has to offer to their employees at a staff meeting. Ask if
your brochure can be distributed to employees along with their paychecks
once a month.
4) Contact the Chamber of Commerce. Ask if you can be a speaker at one

of their functions. Be sure to take plenty of brochures to distribute. Ask if
you can leave your brochures at the Chamber's office. Offer to bring in a
brochure stand.
5) Go out to breakfast or lunch. Many cities

have professional business breakfast or luncheon
meetings. Most invite guest speakers. Get on the
speaking schedule. Share about your
organization and your interest in establishing
partnerships with businesses in the area. Let
them know about your next volunteer event.
Invite them to attend and to pass along the
invitation to their colleagues and employees.
6) Contact businesses you'd like to partner with and ask to be included

in their newsletter. Many companies produce monthly or periodic
newsletters for their employees. Ask if they will share information about
your organization in their newsletter. Ask them to encourage their
employees to take advantage of the volunteer opportunities available with
your organization.
86) Send flowers or plants when a volunteer is ill,

experiencing a family crisis, or grieving. Your supervisors need to
keep Human Resources informed. Supervisors and the CEO or Executive
Director can send get well, sympathy or encouragement notes as well.
29
87) Send an annual letter of appreciation to your volunteer's
family. Thank your volunteer's family for the time they are giving up
with their loved one so he or she can help your organization. Your
volunteers don't live in "a vacuum" and their time with you means time
away from their family or other commitments they have.
88) Publish news releases highlighting your volunteers. Then

include those news releases in your annual reports and post them on
bulletin boards. Mention them in your newsletters. And be sure to send 1-
2 copies to your volunteer!
89) Highlight your volunteers on your

local cable station. Many local cable stations
are looking for human- and community-interest
stories. Be sure to publicize when the show will
be aired. Include it in all communications, on
bulletin boards and write up a news release
about it!
90) Give special awards for outstanding achievements. While

everyone needs to be recognized (Volunteer of the Week/Month, etc.) be
sure to highlight those volunteers that really shine. This can be done as the
Volunteer of the Year. Invite the media to your annual awards banquet.
Include your volunteers' families at this event!
91) Arrange a special photo wall for your volunteers. Not only
will the pictures with names and job titles of your volunteers make them
feel good, it will help your staff members as well. They will learn who the
volunteers are and where they are working. It will also help volunteers
recognize each other more quickly, too.
92) Make on-site visits. Supervisors as well as the CEO or Executive

Director can make a point of leaving their offices and visiting the
volunteers while they're at work. Just a minute of your time
acknowledging and briefly visiting with your volunteers will go a very
long way in making them feel valued.
30
93) Do an exit interview. When a volunteer does leave your
organization, take the time to do an informal exit interview. Find out why
they're leaving, what their experience was, how it could have been
improved, and any other comments or suggestions they might have. Be
sure to thank them for their time. If appropriate, offer to write a letter of
reference for them, and wish them the very best. This can be done over
coffee or lunch. Or even via questionnaire – although one-on-one would
be preferable.
94) Provide a complete volunteer training packet. Include their

job description, information about the organization, the resource page
with helps and support, and all other pertinent information in their
training packet. If possible, put this in a notebook so pages can be easily
added or updated.
95) Have a "Volunteers' Family Appreciation

Day." Let volunteers bring family members to see
where they work, meet the people they work with,
meet the CEO or Executive Director and Board of
Directors. Have a free luncheon/dinner for everyone
and give gifts to the families.
96) Encourage volunteers to participate in your company's

"Bring A Child to Work Day." Let them bring their child to see what
their parent does while away. Children learn early about volunteerism.
Make this a very positive and fun time for the kids. They may end up
being some of your future volunteers!
97) Offer a "massage day" for your volunteers. Treat your

volunteers as the VIPs they are! Arrange for professional masseuses to do
neck and shoulder massages. Offer gift certificates for off-site massages or
spa visits.
98) Give surprise give-aways. Surprise your volunteers with small

gifts. They can be coffee mugs, gift certificates, engraved items, etc. Be
31
sure to include a handwritten thank you note with each gift. Also include
a note from the CEO or Executive Director.
99) Provide an evening of entertainment in honor of your

volunteers. Have staff members (definitely include your CEO or
Executive Director!) provide an evening of entertainment. Avoid calling it
"talent" so everyone can participate! Invite your volunteers to participate if
they'd like to. Provide light refreshments.
100) Collect information about your volunteers – make it

voluntary. Always have people fill out applications when they
volunteer and ask for information such as birth date, hobbies, interests,
and family information. The more you can find out about your volunteers,
the better you can match them to their jobs. And you'll find out what
motivates them.
101) Have a "We're Sweet on You Day" for your volunteers.

Have your staff bring their favorite deserts and
set them up in the lunch room or staff lounge.
Decorate the room with a "sweet" theme. If
possible, find out from the volunteers or their
families what their favorite desserts are and
provide those as well. Appoint a particular
time when your CEO or Executive Director can
be present to make a little speech in honor of
your volunteers.
BONUS IDEAS:
102) Have a "karaoke serenade" dinner in honor of your

volunteers. Select a theme and decorate accordingly. Provide the
karaoke machine and the music that goes with the theme and have the
CEO and supervisors ready to perform. (Or allow them to lip-sync). Then
open the "mike" to everyone.
32
103) Be sure to give your volunteers a break! Yes, give them a
break at work, but also give them a "vacation." Everyone needs time off!
Show them you care about them and they'll repay you with many years of
volunteer work!
104) Praise your volunteers to your friends. Spread the word

about what great volunteers you have. It's amazing how word spreads
about a good thing. Chances are very good that word will get back to
them that their supervisor and/or CEO is "bragging on them."
105) Mention your volunteers often. Be sure to mention them in

speeches, at meetings, before the media, in news releases, and in your
various methods of communication. If they are an important part of your
organization, be sure to voice it often and with enthusiasm!
33
Appendix
News Release Suggested Template

(Use all caps, underlining, etc. as shown)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: your name

persons title
telephone (desk)
telephone (cell)
E-mail
HEADLINE
Sub-headline
CITY, State, Month, Day, Year – (Your Organization's name – write it out – no abbreviations) announced
today that (put your news here. Don't forget to answer the questions all editors and reporters will be looking
for: who, what, where, when and how. Always double space your news releases and try to keep them to one
page – two at the most.)
Second paragraph goes here.
Third paragraph gives supporting information – facts, figures, examples, etc.
Fourth paragraph should be a quote. (Be sure to have permission from the person you quote. You
should also be ready to offer this individual's phone number, etc. if contacted by the reporter as they must
always confirm the quote before publishing.)
Fifth paragraph would be any additional information you need to give.
If this is the end of the news release, put your "boiler plate" here. The boiler plate is the
description of your company or organization and its contact information.
# # End # #
(the pound signs are included to indicate the end of the news release)
If you go more than one page, put:
-- more --
If your release goes more than one page: 1) Be sure to identify the page as belonging to your news release
in case it gets separate from the first page. 2) Add the boiler plate (description of your company or group),
and 3) add the End & pound signs at the very end of your news release.
34
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35
101 Ways To
Support Our Troops

Written by:
Ginny Dye
With Cindy Aisenbrey

_________________________
For
Copyright 2005
(Revised June 2007)

Author’s Note:
Whether or not you agree with our current foreign policy, it is

important we all support the brave men and women serving in the U.S.
Military. Too often you’re just not sure what to do, or how you can help. I
hope these 101 Ideas will propel you to get started, and then guide you as
you move forward.
I’d like to share with you the words of a young person I am close to:
―Ginny, I don’t know why people complain about the world if they’re not
going to do something to change it. They should either put up, or shut up.‖
Ouch. He’s a little blunt but he could not be more right. No matter
where you live; how much money you make (or don’t make); whether you are
healthy or sick; whether you are young or old; whether you are busy or have
a lot of free time – YOU can make a difference.
You simply have to CHOOSE to.
This book is my gift to you because I want to empower you

to BE the Difference in Your World Today –
supporting all those willing to give their lives!
2
&
Campaign to mobilize a force of good that will sweep across the globe and
create true sustainable CHANGE on every continent.
_____________________________
E-Cards
Prints & Posters
_____________________________
3

the world.
I will take time TODAY to do one thing – for

one person.

caring in my world.
EVERYDAY!

CHANGE!
4
101 Ways to Support Our Troops
Let’s start with the ways that will cost nothing, or very little…
1) When you see a person in a military uniform, shake their hand and say,
―Thank you for serving our country.‖
2) The month of May is National Military Appreciation Month. Go to

www.NMAM.org for a list of events in the month of May where you
may show your support for our military and different ways you can
participate.
3) Memorial Day is always the last Monday in May. Honor it :
 by visiting cemeteries and placing flags

or flowers on the graves of our fallen
heroes.
 by visiting memorials.
 by flying the U.S. Flag at half-staff
until noon.
 by flying the 'POW/MIA Flag' as well (Section 1082 of the 1998 Defense
Authorization Act).
 by participating in a "National Moment of
Remembrance": at 3 p.m. to pause and think upon
the true meaning of the day, and for Taps to be
played.
 by renewing a pledge to aid the widows, widowers,
and orphans of our fallen dead, and to aid the
disabled veterans.
4) Take a special video of their family and send it to

them
5) Take a video of their family at a school function, picnic or sports

event. The hardest thing for our military is being separated from
those they love. They will love being able to see their family over and
over.
5
6) Compile a video of their friends and neighbors sending special
messages, singing a song, playing around, or whatever they want to do –
it will simply let them know they are cared about. I promise these
videos are something they will play over and over!
7) Get your entire neighborhood involved in sending them a Care Package

every month. You can distribute a list through the neighborhood and
let everyone contribute some of the things on the list. Then put
together the package, include a letter with notes from
everyone, and send it to them. They will so appreciate
knowing their neighbors haven’t forgotten them.
8) Ask your elected officials at all levels to recognize our

military.
9) Collect jokes on the Internet and make a little booklet to send.

Everyone needs to laugh!
10) Send nice newspaper clippings and pictures about the good things
they are doing overseas. It will help them to know what they are
doing is important and being noticed.
11) Send them the weekly newspaper or some of the daily newspapers.
The news may be old to you but it will be new to them and will allow
them to stay in touch with home.
12) Request a special prayer for them at your

church, synagogue or mosque – then tell them the
day and time the prayer was said. They will
appreciate it so much!
13) Send some CD’s of their favorite music. They

have a lot of time on their hands. Help them to
pass it with things they enjoy.
6
14) Send magazines they like. Not only will they enjoy them – they’ll be
able to share them with their buddies. Your gift will have a much
greater impact than you thought.
15) Dedicate a song to them on their favorite radio

station. Ask the station if they will make a
recording of it so you can send it to them. Make
sure it’s a song they like! You can also do a
dedication to an entire unit, squadron, etc. All of
them will enjoy hearing it.
16) Put their name in the local newspaper or on the radio station asking
for a ―Thinking of You‖ or ―Thank You‖ card shower. Have everyone
send the cards to the station by a certain date. You pick them up
and put them all together, then send them. You can just put them in
a big box or compile them into a journal they can keep forever!
17) Send pictures of the newest businesses that have opened in their
hometown. It may seem a little silly to you, but it keeps them
informed and let’s them not be so surprised when they return.
18) Keep them up-to-date on local gossip. It will give them a laugh and
let them know they are still a part of everything.
19) Send them a one year diary and ask them to keep a Gratitude
Journal – writing down at least one
thing every day that they are
thankful for. It can be hard to focus
on the good things but it will help
keep them from sinking into despair
during hard times.
20) Send them a Journal that they can record daily happenings in. It will
become a valuable record of days and years of their life – a treasure
that can be passed down through the family for generations to come.
When they return home portions could be read at schools; published

in papers; or simply archived in the local library. It may not seem
7
important now but their recollections will become an important part
of this nation’s history
21) Send them a Frisbee. They will have hours of

fun with their friends. You can play Frisbee
ANYWHERE!
22) Compile a list of different ways to make the

days go faster. Make them funny – to keep
them and their buddies laughing. Once you have compiled it, send it
to as many of the troops as you can. All of them will appreciate it!
23) Show respect, gratitude and thanks to the troops by studying and
understanding the contributions made by the military to American
history, as well as the contributions they are making today to create
history.
Talk to your schools and ask them to invite

veterans into the classrooms so students
can meet ―real people‖ who have given to
their country. Putting a human face on
history can make it so much more powerful.
24) Send cards and notes to hospitalized

veterans and those living in Veteran’s
homes. So many times they feel alone and
forgotten. Your cards and notes can let
them know their contribution was appreciated and it will ease their
loneliness.
25) Make requests to your favorite radio stations to play patriotic theme
songs in honor of our troops.
26) If you are a member of your local Kiwanis, Lions, Rotary, Shriner and
Elks clubs; Masons & Soroptimist International, etc. – make
recommendations to honor our military, invite them as guest
speakers, etc.
8
27) Get your community involved by distributing this book or just telling
them to go online and download it – then let everyone pick certain
ideas they want to do. It will greatly increase the impact if you’re
not the only one.
28) Fly the American flag on your house, car or

business every day our troops are deployed.
29) Urge your community to fly the American Flag

from May 1st through June 14th – Flag Day.
30) A Neighborhood or City Wide Scavenger Hunt for communities,

schools, church groups, etc.
Here’s a fun way to gather items soldiers need and want. Create a
scavenger hunt – listing the items below and assigning point values to
the ones the most difficult to obtain, or the ones most wanted. Then
turn your teams loose, with prizes awarded at the end. See if you
can get local restaurants to host different teams as a means of
showing THEIR support.
Here’s the list of most requested and desired items:
Purple Font Indicates the Most NEEDED & REQUESTED Items --
Food:
 Fruit Roll-Ups
 Beef Jerky / Slim Jims
 Hard Pretzels
 Wrapped GUM and hard candy
 Granola Bars & Power Bars
 Small packs of Fig Newtons, Oreos, Cheese-Its
 Trail Mix, dried fruit
 Ramen Noodles/Cup-o-Soup (just add water)
 Salted Peanuts or mixed nuts
 Tea bags, Hot Chocolate packets
 Salted Pumpkin Seeds/ Sunflower Seeds
 Ready-to-eat Pudding, Jello, fruit cups
 Girls Scout Cookies (chocolate will melt in the summer!)
9
 NO CHOCOLATE (April-Sept.) – it will melt!
 Gatorade/Kool-Aid/Crystal Light (Instant Drink Mixes)
 Cheese& Cracker packs
 Chex Mix
 Condiments and spices
 Instant oatmeal
 Tuna in pouches
 Salad dressing (plastic bottles only)
 Cereal (small individual boxes)
 Rice Krispie treats
Toiletries: TRAVEL SIZE ONLY! NO HOTEL SAMPLES!

(Some troops have allergies & need Brand name toiletries which list all ingredients. The military issues toiletries to our troops, however
troops often miss their favorite brand shampoo or soap. Our goal is to send troops reminders of home & items they miss, not free samples.
Thank you!)
 Baby wipes (travel size)

 Lozenges and cough drops
 Liquid hand sanitizer/cleaner (travel size)
 Breath Mints/ Listerine strips
 Razors (disposable)
 Dental Floss
 Shampoo (travel size)
 Hair Gel (for female troops to put hair up)
 Combs & brushes
 Soap and Deodorant (travel size)
 Q-tips (travel size)
 Eye drops (i.e. Visine)
 Band aids
 Lip balm & Chap stick
 Moleskin
 Baby powder (travel size)
 Mouthwash (travel size)
 Tissues: Individual packs/travel size
 Sunblock, SPF 45, Zinc, vitamin E
 Bug Spray/ DEET - Skin So Soft (Avon)
 Dust Masks
 Hand & body lotion (travel size)
 Foot powder
 Toothpaste & toothbrushes
 Nasal spray
 Nail clippers
 Nail files / emery boards
 Feminine hygiene products
 Cotton balls
 Tylenol or aspirin packets
 Shoe insole cushions
10
Entertainment:
 Batteries: “AA” and “C”

 35 mm disposable cameras
 USA Flags
 Pens & pencils
 Stationery & envelopes
 Plastic-coated Playing Cards
 Dominoes
 Yo-Yo's
 Electronic gadgets or games
 Magazines (new or used)
 Crosswords and search words books
 Nerf footballs
 Day planners and small calendars
 Whiffle Balls
 Paper back books (new or used)
 Mini board games such as UNO, checkers, chess, Othello (travel size)
 Frisbees
 Hackey Sacks
 Portable CD players
 Music CDs (used or new)
 DVDs (used or new)
 Xbox Games (used or new)
 PS2 Games (used or new)
Other:
 Small Flashlights (powered by AA batteries)
 Baggies (Zip lock, gallon size)
 Bandanas
 Pre-Paid phone cards
 Duct tape
 White cotton socks
 Black Cotton or wool socks
 Generic sunglasses
 Fly swatters and fly paper
 Baseball & other sports equipment (new or used)
 Toys/school supplies for the Iraqi children
31) You can also conduct a Neighborhood Drive. Ask a grocery store for
brown paper bags, then staple the shopping list to it. Write on the
11
list the day you will drive by and collect the bags left on front
porches.
32) You can do a Drive through your church or school as well. Simply
hand each person a bag with the list – asking them to bring it to
church next Sunday, or to school the next day.
33) Collect hotel and sample sized toiletries. Everyone has a bag full at
home.
34) Ask your local drug store for free samples of lotions, etc. At
conventions, ask those with you to give you their unused toiletries.
35) Ask any local casinos to donate playing cards. These provide hours
of entertainment to our troops.
36) Ask insurance and real estate agents (or anybody

else who has them) for small calendars.
37) Ask your neighbors, church and club groups to collect items for the
soldiers, too.
38) Call your dentist, as well as other ones in town, for a donation of
toothbrushes, floss, toothpaste and mouthwash. You’ll be surprised
what you will receive once they understand it is going to our troops.
39) Call your medical doctor, dermatologist, etc. and ask for samples as
well. Just make sure they know what they are for.
40) Collect all the free charity greeting cards and stickers that come in
the mail, as well as the left-over cards you have from the holidays.
They can all be sent to the troops for them to turn around and send
them home!
41) Ask your local card shop for unused envelopes, as well as
any greeting cards they are taking from the shelves.
12
42) Stickers are great for care packages as well. They can be sent to the
troops to use on their letters home.
43) Ask restaurants to donate condiment packets. Soy sauce, catsup,

etc. make military meals a bit tastier. Make sure you put them in zip
lock bags in case they break open!
There are so many organizations that have

been established to support our troops. One
of the best ways to help is by joining them in their
mission. Here are just some of them:
44) ADOPT A SOLDIER - My Soldier is a program

that puts politics aside and lets U.S. troops know
someone back home cares. Sgt. Juan Salas, who served for 14
months in Iraq, established the program with the help of his school,
Manhattanville College, when he returned from the war. The goal of
the program is to show support for troops by establishing pen-pal
relationships with them. When you enroll in the ―No Cost‖ My
Soldier program you agree to adopt a soldier. You will receive a
―starter kit‖ containing a red My Soldier bracelet to publicly show
your support for American troops and guidelines for writing letters
to your soldier. www.mville.edu/mysoldier/index.html
45) Imagine if whole school classes, or youth groups,

college clubs, or other groups decided to all
―Adopt a Soldier‖. Imagine what an impact that
could have. The soldiers will have communication
and the ―Adopters‖ will know they have made a
difference.
46) The USO Care Package Program was created to provide a safe and
secure way for the public to show their support for our men and
women in uniform. The USO is a Congressionally-chartered non-
profit corporation whose mission is to provide morale, welfare, and
recreation-type services to military personnel. The USO operates
13
125 centers, including centers in Kuwait and Qatar, and will soon open
a center in Afghanistan.
For a $25 dollar donation, Americans can sponsor a care package for
a service member who is either en route to an overseas assignment
or currently deployed. Each USO Care Package is assembled by
volunteers and contains, at a minimum, a 100-minute international
calling card, a disposable camera, toiletries, sunscreen, and a
message of support from a Care Package sponsor. Over 480,000 care
packages have been distributed as of December 2004.
Additional information about the USO Care Package Program is

available at www.usocares.org or by calling (877) USO-GIVE.
47) Project Homefront - While our troops take care of our homeland, we
can help take care of their homes.
This was originally created by the Home Depot to help over

1700 of their associates currently serving in the military but
they have extended the program, in coordination with
Rebuilding Together and USA Freedom Corps, to help the
families of all active duty military. This effort will help these
families keep up their home lives and their homes while their
loved ones are away.
You can: volunteer; sponsor a house; start an affiliate; or help in

other ways. To find out how you can help go to:
www.projecthomefront.org
48) Send a Thank You Note to our troops. A Million Thanks is a year-
round campaign to show your U.S. Military Men and Women, past and
present, your appreciation for their sacrifices, dedication, and
service to your country through your letters, emails, cards, prayers
and thoughts. Go to: www.AmillionThanks.org for more information.
49) USA Help is another organization where you can adopt a soldier and
send care packages. Our soldiers are in desperate need of letters,
communications and supplies. Visit www.usahelp.us for more
information.
14
50) Cell Phones for Soldiers - The Cell Phones for
Soldiers program was started by thirteen year old
Brittany Bergquist and her twelve year old brother
Robbie of Norwell MA. After hearing a news report
about a local soldier who ran up a massive phone bill
calling home from Iraq, they decided they wanted to do
something to help.
Donated cell phones will go to recyclers. The income generated goes

to purchase calling cards for our troops.
You can send them directly to the recyclers or put together a

community effort to collect 50 or more – qualifying for free pickup
and delivery from FedEx – one of their corporate sponsors.
Communication is so vital to our troops and this is a way everyone can

help. How many people do YOU know with old cell phones? For more
information go to www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com
51) Pets can be a great source of comfort to troops. Many American

military adopted cats and dogs from overseas and want to return
home with them. This is where Military Mascots steps in. There are
several opportunities to support our military in bringing their pets
home:
 You can become a pet foster home, caring for a

pet until a soldier is rotated home.
 Greet pets at the airport, helping them clear
customs or making sure they catch
connecting flights.
 Help to sponsor a mascot
Go to www.militarymascots.org for more information
52) Do you live near a major airport? Check to see if you have soldiers
coming through there for R&R. Consider what one group of women
are doing…
15
Every single day roughly 200 troops arrive at the Dallas Fort Worth
International Airport to begin their two week R&R leave. A group of
"Army Moms" began to gather there daily to greet these soldiers.
As an added bonus, these Army Moms have had the honor to greet
and bolster the morale of the buddies and fellow soldiers of their
own sons and daughters who are involved currently in the war and
actively serving in Iraq or Afghanistan. This daily greeting has
become an event talked about and anticipated by the troops arriving
at DFW on their way home. From this group of "Army Moms" and
support from an "Army Families" email support group of one of the
moms, evolved the "Defenders of Freedom".
53) Defenders of Freedom
Defenders of Freedom.us is a non-profit organization dedicated to

supporting our men and women in uniform. They support our troops who
are at war, wounded troops in hospitals and rehabilitation facilities, and
their families. The organization’s volunteers raise funds through various
venues with 100% of all monies going to the troops.
A great way to help is to purchase a wrist band to show your support for
our troops. They cost just $2.00 and are an easy way to keep our
troops in your thoughts and prayers. Due to the nature of the tie-dye,
no 2 bracelets will ever be the same.
Go to: www.DefendersofFreedom.us for more information
54) Operation Paperback
Donate your slightly used paperback books

to our troops through Operation Paperback.
Many of our troops are serving far from
home and living in facilities that provide few
of the comforts of home. There is very
little for servicemen and women to do at the end of the duty day,
and the opportunity to escape into a good book is welcomed. Every
16
week Operation Paperback receives thanks from servicemen and
women who are glad to be appreciated and remembered.
Go their website at: operationpaperback.usmilitarysupport.org to get

all the information you need to become part of their project.
55) To send even more paperbacks go to used book stores and ask if they
will donate. Go to new book stores as well. When a book’s shelf live
expires they are returned to the publisher. I’m
sure they can work out an arrangement where
the books can be donated to our troops instead.
56) Call Publishing companies and ask if they would

be willing to donate their extra books (trust
me, they have them) to our troops. You could
probably even get them to cover the shipping –
simply providing them the mailing information
provided to you through Operation Paperback.
57) Go to garage sales and ask people if they will donate left over books
to troops. You always find a lot of books at yard sales. You pick
them up at the end of the day and handle shipping them.
58) Give 2 The Troops - This is another great organization that sends
care packages and letters to our troops. With thousands of
members from many states, they’ve sent care packages to hundreds
of thousands of our men & women serving.
Go to: www.give2thetroops.org for more info and to get involved in

their mission.
59) Do you like to sew? People are needed to sew blankets

for the thousands of wounded soldiers in our country,
or in hospital’s abroad. These blankets have brought
hope to many of our wounded heroes. To get involved
send an email to: blanketsofhope@soldiersangels.org
17
60) Become a Soldiers Angel – This amazing organization was started by
an ―ordinary Mom‖ who had a son in the military. He wrote home
expressing concern that some of his buddies weren’t
receiving the same kind of support and care he was –
motivating his Mom to send extra letters and
packages, then enlisting a few of her friends to help.
That initial effort became SOLDIER’S ANGELS.
Visit their website at www.soldiersangels.org to check

out their many projects and find out just how you can help!
61) There are so many orgs collecting items for Care Packages. Why not
pick just one item from the ―shopping lists‖ for these organizations?
Spread the word you are collecting this one item for the Troops.
This is a great easy way to make a big impact.
Be creative and tie the item into a holiday. Christmas?

Do a toy drive for all the children in the villages of Iraq
that the soldiers want to help so much.
62) Launch your own Operation Honey Do
This organization was founded by a small group

of handymen to assist families whose regular
problem-fixers are at war. They won’t build
additions but they will perform small
maintenance jobs on the weekends such as
fixing plumbing, repairing screen doors, checking
lawn mowers, sharpening blades, staining a deck,
and anything else a handy spouse would do. If
they can’t fix the problem, they help the
families find a reliable service.
Find out more by going to: www.operationhoneydo.com
63) Donate your Frequent Flyer miles to help soldiers and families
connect. To find out how to do this check out: www.heromiles.org
18
Operation Hero Miles was created by the US Airlines and
Congressman Ruppersberger to meet the needs of our soldiers
deployed overseas. It relies on the generosity of thousands of
fliers who have donated over 540
million miles to help our soldiers.
64) Operation Homefront
Created by spouses of active-duty military personnel – mostly

National Guard and Reserve Troops – this organization’s website
is Treasure Trove of different ideas for how you can help. There
are links to organizations who will accept money or household
items, land, vehicles, and other goods to assist military families
whose loved ones are deployed overseas.
Go to www.OperationHomefront.org to check it out. I’m sure

there is a way for you to help.
65) Our troops and their families will always

appreciate gift certificates for restaurants
and groceries. How about a gift certificate
that can be used at any commissary in the
world?
To find out how you can send your gift

certificates just go to:
www.certifichecks.com/cgi-
local/SoftCart.exe/military_list.htm?E+scstore
66) Get involved with the Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes. Every
day a wounded veteran and their family must struggle to
overcome the loss of a limb, significant burns, or even the reality
of being in a wheelchair. Our mission is to help them overcome
these obstacles and resume a productive and fulfilling life.
The Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes was created to provide

an easy and meaningful way for individuals, corporations and
19
others to help our severely wounded and disabled veterans and
their families rebuild their lives.
There are many ways you can support SAH – you can find details
at their website: www.saluteheroes.org but I wanted to highlight
one of them.
67) Contribute a very special and unique experience to the Salute

America’s Heroes’ eBay auction benefiting our wounded Heroes.
Examples include—
 Concert tickets with backstage passes and

opportunity to meet the celebrity entertainers
 Resort travel
 Share a meal with a favorite sports figure, etc.
 Unique—one of a kind experiences that would be
valuable as an auction item
Contact them at: www.saluteheroes.org
68) Are you involved in the Building Industry in

any way? Retail, Manufacturing,
Contracting, Construction, etc. Then you can
make a huge difference by getting involved
in Homes For Our Troops.
Homes for Our Troops is strongly committed to helping those who

have selflessly given to their country and have returned home with
serious disabilities and injuries. They assist injured service men
and women and their immediate families by raising donations of
money, building materials and professional labor and coordinating
the process of building a new home or adapting an existing home
for handicapped accessibility.
Get involved by going to: www.homesforourtroops.org
69) Offer whatever skills you have. Do you know that EVERY
organization created to support our troops is probably in need of
office help; administrative assistance; research; grant writers;
envelope stuffers, etc. Contact any of the organizations listed here,
20
or go online and put Military Support Organizations into the Search
Engine. I have barely scratched the surface here. There are so
many people committed to making a difference for our troops, and
there is so much you can do to help them.
A very important part of supporting our troops is supporting and caring for
their families. They deal with the constant fear their loved ones won’t
come home, as well as the loneliness and sometimes financial hardships
their being gone brings. What can you do to help them – at the same time
making it easier for our troops because they know their families are being
cared for too?
69) Send the family a care package –

making sure there are special
things for the kids, remaining
spouse, etc. Many times now it is
the wife who has been called away
for duty. Don’t forget that
husbands left behind have the same fears and struggles.
70) Form a family support team within your neighborhood. Find
out what your neighbors need, then all commit to doing your part.
71) Give restaurant gift certificates to military families. Too many

times that kind of enjoyment is just not possible in their budget.
One of the best ways to do it is through an online company called
Restaurant.com. You buy certificates
that give 50% off meals in thousands
of restaurants all over the country!
Contact the person who gave you this
ebook to find out how to get your own
mall and purchase certificates on it to
benefit yourself AND your favorite cause. If there is no one, go to
www.MyPowerMall.com for more information.
72) Include them in your family outings – everyone, but especially the
kids. Invite them to go on a picnic, go fishing, go along to the
Amusement park, etc. It will be great fun for them and give the
remaining spouse a break from being a single parent.
21
73) Help them out with some of their bills – anonymously if you can.
Often, you can call the companies and let them know you want to
pay a bill for a service person and they’ll let you do it. Some ideas:
Internet bill; Cable service; etc.
74) Have each family in your neighborhood buy a calling card. Put it in a
special package for your neighbor who can then send it on to their
deployed loved one.
75) Buy a season’s family swimming ticket.

Get certificates to a bowling alley. A
skating rink. Talk to the owner of the
facility and let them know you want to
help military families. Many times they
will donate the passes and certificates
for FREE!
76) Invite them to dinner.
77) Invite them for the holidays. These can be especially

lonely times for the ones left behind. Birthdays?
Help them celebrate. Embrace military families as if
they were your own!
78) Ask your local newspaper to do a special feature on Active Military

– featuring a different person each week. The families will be so
appreciative and they can send a copy of the article to their loved
one. It will also raise awareness in your community of families that
need support and care.
79) Treat the family to a special Pizza &

Movie night. You can collect some videos
from neighbors (if you know what they
would like) or ask the local video store
to donate a gift certificate. (Of course
you can always pay for it, too.) Then
arrange for pizza delivery from a local
22
store. My guess is that they would do this as a gift to the
community!
Send a card to the family letting them know they are receiving a
special Appreciation gift.
You can do this for people in your neighborhood. You can also set up
a special program to honor one to two families a week (maybe tied in
with the newspaper feature) – setting up an ongoing arrangement
with the video and pizza stores. Make sure they throw in drinks!
80) Mow their lawns or do other things to help them take care of their
yard and home. Rake leaves. Weed gardens. Do simple repairs. Do
complicated repairs if you know how!  Many of our families are
left in financial hardship – especially if their loved ones were called
away from jobs to serve in the National Guard. You can help fill in
the gap and meet their needs.
When it’s time for their loved ones to come home

what can you do to celebrate the occasion?
81) Help them plan and put together a ―Coming Home Party‖. Especially
get the kids involved in putting it
together. It will keep them busy,
make the time go faster, and let them
know they are making a valuable
contribution.
However, let them have a couple days

with their family before you have the
party. They haven’t seen their family
in months and will need a couple days
to settle in. Then they will be ready
to celebrate with everyone else!
82) Join with your neighbors to create a lot of Welcome home signs
with their names on them. Have them line the road all the way
23
from the airport, with even more posted in your neighborhood. And
of course have a huge sign in their yard!
83) Prepare a very special dinner and have it in the house for the
family the night their loved one returns home.
84) Do you have a Time Share? Share it with a military family – giving
them a chance to have some special time together.
85) Donate a computer to a family that doesn’t

have one so they can communicate via
email. If they don’t know how to use a
computer make sure you take the time to
help them set it up, then teach them how
to use it!
86) Work with schools, churches, service clubs, Veteran’s groups,

YMCA’s, etc. to sponsor local military and their families. Many
people working together can make a big job easy.
87) Volunteer at a local VA Hospital to honor veterans

who served in the past. So many times they are
lonely and need to know they are still appreciated
and remembered.
88) Many of our military, especially those without

close family, are forced to give up their pets when
they are deployed. You can help by becoming a
―foster parent‖ to their pets until they return.
You may have a co-worker or friend with a loved one who has been
deployed to the Middle East. Here are some ways you can provide
special support during this difficult time.
89) What to expect

During times of crisis and war, everyone handles uncertainty,
painful feelings, and separation differently. Some people with a
loved one serving overseas cope by keeping busy and focusing on
24
work. Others may be distracted or have trouble
concentrating. Some people need to talk about the war
with trusted relatives, friends, and co-workers; others
cope by not talking about their feelings, fears, or
thoughts. Many people find coping more difficult due to
the ever-present radio and TV news coverage.
To a large extent, the absence of a loved can be like

living with a heartbreak that doesn't end until the
person's safe return. Nothing can replace the absent
person in your friend's heart or mind. Your friend may feel
 an acute sense of sadness and loss

 a sense of helplessness, of not knowing where to turn
 anger about the absence
 constant worry about the loved one's safety and health
 a strong sense of duty to remain strong for others
 a compulsive need to read the news and listen to TV on a regular
or continuous basis
Caring expressions of concern from friends and co-workers can

go a long way in helping people left behind feel supported and less
alone during this difficult time.
90) What can you say?

People with a loved one who has been deployed may or may not want
to talk about what they are going through. Remember that this is no
reflection on their feelings about you, your friendship with them, or
your willingness to be available. It's important to take your cues
from the other person and be there to listen if and when the person
wants to talk.
When you see your friend or co-worker, here are some things you
can say:
 "How are you holding up?" (Ask this sparingly, not every time you
see the person.)
 "This is such a difficult time."
25
 "I just want you to know that if you would ever like to get
together and just talk, I'm here."
If your friend or co-worker wants to talk, just

listen. Don't be afraid of the feelings you hear.
If the person begins to cry or seems upset, you
might say, "Would you like to go somewhere
private to talk?" Then find a private place for a
conversation. In your conversation. . .
 Reflect back what you hear. If your

friend or co-worker talks about the difficulties of his or her
situation, you might say, "This must be so hard."
 Don't try to give advice. Just listen. Be
nonjudgmental.
 Ask if the person has family or friends he can
count on for help and support. This will help you
know whether your friend or co-worker is
actively seeking help.
 Let your friend or co-worker know that you would be glad to talk
again. Reassure the person that you have the time and want to
listen. If the conversation needs to continue, but you don't have
time right now, invite your friend or co-worker to sit down at a
later time.
 If the friend or co-worker is someone you like to do things with,
make plans. Ask him or her out to lunch, or call spontaneously on a
weekend or evening to go shopping, for a walk, or to a fun movie.
91) Ways to offer support

Know your friend or co-worker is mentally preparing for the long
haul. Despite their feelings of sadness or confusion, they are
probably very aware that there is no certainty of the outcome --
when their loved one will return or whether he or she will be safe at
all times. So you should try to be there for the long haul as well.
Small acts of caring can go a long way in helping your friend to
remain strong and optimistic.
92) Help your friend or co-worker find groups or online bulletin boards
where parents or loved ones are sharing their experiences. If you
26
live in a larger metropolitan area, help your friend find a group to
share experiences with -- through the local newspaper, community
resources, or the library. The military offers many resources for
families of service members living on or near a military installation;
help your friend get connected to these resources.
93) Check in. Find out how your friend is doing by phone, e-mail, or by
just dropping by. Your conversation can be brief but still caring. You
might say, "I just wanted to know how you
are." Find out if your friend is exercising,
eating right, and assuming most of his or her
normal routines. See if you might help with an
errand or help care for children to give your
friend time to get out.
94) When you are together and when there is time, encourage the person
to talk about her loved one who has been deployed. Laugh and cry
together. Tell stories about the person. Do what seems to come
naturally to your friend or co-worker.
95) Avoid political discussions about the war that could trigger sensitive
emotions. Avoid "pro and con" discussions or debates about the war
in front of the person. In general, avoid heated discussions about
politics or war in the workplace.
96) Rejoice with your friend when a letter or e-mail

arrives from the person overseas. Any
extended time between contacts with the
person deployed will be very difficult. Anxiety
and worry will increase when communications
are delayed.
97) Remember that holidays and birthdays will be tough for the person.
Be sure your friend or co-worker has a place to go or has plans to
socialize in some way. Celebrate in a special but low-key way. Shop
for something special. Again, take cues as to what the person needs
or seeks in terms of support.
27
It may be a long wait before your friend's loved one is home and safe.
Worry and anxiety will affect your friend's daily life and routines. Friends
and co-workers have to be prepared to provide ongoing support for weeks
or months. Heartfelt expressions of support can help your friend feel
cared for, more rooted in life's normal routines, and stronger
during this difficult time.
98) Are you a photographer? Offer to take really great

photos of a military family; pictures of the children;
pictures of pets. Put together a collage that can be
sent to the deployed loved one. They will appreciate it
so much!
99) Operation Homelink provides free refurbished computers to either

parents or spouses of deployed service mean and women in the ranks
of E-1 through E-5. Their program allows email communication
between our troops and their loved ones.
Especially needed are corporations and businesses that

are upgrading and getting rid of large banks of perfectly
good computers, or ones that just need some
refurbishing.
To get involved go to: www.OperationHomelink.org
100) Here’s a fun one… Send Pizza and Drinks to our troops by going to
www.gipizza.com. They have arrangements with pizzerias in every
area of the world who will deliver hot pizza. What a great surprise
and treat!
101) And finally… EVERY organization included in this book, as well as

hundreds more, always need cash in their efforts to make a
difference. We have a way for you to let your Everyday Spending
provide income for them. It is very simple to make all your purchases
online and create a stream of income for yourself and others.
28
Do you need clothing? Travel arrangements? Jewelry? Computer
equipment? Entertainment? All this and so much more can be
discovered in the over 1000 stores and millions of products on My
Power Mall. Buy what you are going to buy anyway, but now you can
make a DIFFERENCE at the same time! Contact the person who gave
you this ebook. If there is no one, learn more at
www.MyPowerMall.com.
Please see the next page for special gifts. . .
29
&
Campaign to mobilize a force of good that will sweep across the globe and
create true sustainable CHANGE on every continent.
_____________________________
E-Cards
Prints & Posters
_____________________________
30

the world.
I will take time TODAY to do one thing – for

one person.

caring in my world.
EVERYDAY!

CHANGE!
31
101 Ways Your Business
Can Change the World
By
Sandi Valentine
With
Whitefire Faulkner
For
Copyright 2006
(Revised June 2007)
From the Author:
As a business owner, you are in a unique and powerful position. You

have a large sphere of influence and what you say and do is observed.
How you treat your clientele, employees and business associates is a
direct reflection on your business. People notice.
More and more business owners understand that the best way to
succeed is to "under promise and over deliver." A nineteenth century
businessman by the name of Wallace D. Wattles put it this way:
"Give everyone more in use value than you take from him in cash value.
Then you are adding to the life of the world by every business trans-
action." (The Science of Getting Rich)
At Together We Can Change the World, we believe that you "cannot

out-give the Universe" but you certainly can try! That's what our 101
Ways Series books are all about – giving back. We truly do believe
that TOGETHER we can change the world – and don't we all know that
it needs changing!
I hope you will use this book as a "launching pad" for ways you and
your business can "give back." Perhaps you can use some of the ideas,
or perhaps they will trigger new ideas that fit your situation better.
We wish you the very best!
Sandi Valentine
2
101 Ways Your Business Can Change the World
1) Boost morale in the workplace by recognizing employees.

Put a different twist to the "Employee of the Month" idea and create
a bulletin board in a public room recognizing employees who are making
a difference in the workplace or community. Post their picture on the
"Caught Doing a Kind Act" or "Caught In the Act" bulletin board and
give monthly awards (best parking spot, off work at noon on Friday,
etc). Feature them in your monthly newsletter.
2) Have an Awards Banquet every year and recognize those

who were "Caught In the Act." Give really
nice awards – 3-day cruise for two, flat
screen TV, etc. Be sure to have the Media
there to feature these people in the local
newspaper and radio. Your business will be
given great publicity and your workplace
and community will benefit in a big way,
too!
3) Sponsor a company-wide contest to choose a local

charity to support. Take suggestions through a Suggestion Box, or
have your Human Resource office collect them. Give a time limit in
which to turn in ideas, have the ideas tabulated, and then have the
employees vote on which organization they want to support. Create a
committee to come up with hands-on ways the company can show their
support, i.e. serving the Thanksgiving Dinner at a local Rescue Mission,
purchasing a handicapped-accessible van for a senior citizens home,
helping build a house with your local Habitat for Humanity group, etc.
Also have fundraising events to benefit your chosen group. Be sure to
invite the Media!
4) Create a "Helping Hands" list of skills and talents your

employees possess that they would be willing to offer each other. For
instance, simple plumbing jobs, car tune-ups, painting, computer repair,
3
etc. Have the list available in your Human Resource office for
referrals when someone needs help.
5) Offer a "Bring A Kid to Work" day and encourage

your employees to bring their child or a kid they know to
work during the summer or when the kids are out of school
on holiday. Let them "shadow" several different employees
during the day (or for a couple hours, or half a day, etc.).
Let the kids experience several different jobs within your
business and all they entail.
6) Sponsor a Kids' Variety Show (avoid the word "talent" so

more will participate) and charge admission. Showcase your employees'
kids! Make it clear that the money raised will be used for a special
outreach to community children such as, free school supplies for
neighborhood kids, new sports equipment for the YMCA, new
playground equipment for a local park, summer camp scholarships, etc.
Invite the Media.
7) Create an "Emergency Fund" for your employees. Let them

help raise the funds with raffles, chili cook-offs, etc. When one of
your employees hits a rough time (extended illness, bereavement, etc.)
use the Fund to help them through that difficult situation. Let the
other employees know so they can send cards, or help in other ways
(taking hot meals over, offering transportation, etc.).
8) Register your special service projects with Together We

Can Change the World Day. You can let
others know about what you're doing and
invite them to join your efforts on the first
Saturday of every month – TWCCTW Day (or
T-Day). It's free, and all the information
you'll need to get the word out is available
here: www.TogetherWeCanChangeTheWorldDay.com.
4
9) Encourage your employees to better themselves. Offer
motivational CDs, books, videos, etc. that they can check out through
the Human Resources office. Pay part (or all) of an employee's tuition
if they're taking courses that will improve their work skills. Or pay
for their books. You're interest in them will benefit your business
ten-fold!
10) Invite your employees who play

instruments to bring them to work and
"jam" during lunch. Or set aside an hour or
two every Friday afternoon for a "jam
session." Perhaps they'll be good enough to
have a benefit concert to raise money for the
company's favorite charity or "Emergency Fund."
11) Take your employees' concert "on the road." Arrange

with a local homeless shelter, senior center, or senior residence
facility for your employee concert band to come play. Encourage your
other employees to attend the concert and hand out simple gifts
(notepads, pens, etc. with your business name on them) after the
concert. Make it an annual event!
12) Don't have an employee band? No

problem – senior facilities and centers,
pediatric wards, etc. welcome any kind of
entertainment! How about some simple magic
tricks, clowning, stand-up comedian jokes, a
kazoo ensemble? Have fun and those you're
sharing with will remember it and talk about it
for months. Invite the Media!
13) Challenge your employees to have a stuffed animal

drive. Contact your local fire departments, children's hospitals, etc.
to see if they use stuffed animals in therapy. Ask if they use just
teddy bears, or any kind of animal. Then set the challenge, goal and
5
time frame to collect what the organization needs. Invite the Media
to cover your delivery and presentation of the toys.
14) Start a Mentoring Program for Kids. Kids need role models
in all areas of life -- socially, academically and even in athletics. Give
your employees 90 minutes a week from work to do their mentoring.
There are a multitude of organizations (search the Internet) to give
you ideas and training. Once a year, have a special banquet for the
mentors and their kids and highlight several of them. Or create a
video clip showing all of the mentors with their kids throughout the
year. The kids will love seeing themselves on "the big screen"!
Kids who are mentored one-on-one are:

52% less likely to skip school
46% less likely to begin using illegal drugs
More likely to get along with their families and
peers1
15) Provide a "School Supplies Blow-Out" where your business

turns your parking lot into a school supplies handout center. Have your
employees collect school supplies for several months and then hand
them out for free to the neighborhood kids. Invite the community to
help you collect supplies through news releases and radio spots. Ask
local businesses to donate to your drive. Your community image will
skyrocket while you provide a greatly needed resource! Make it an
annual event!
16) Have a socks drive. Collect new pairs of socks

(all ages, for male and female, and all sizes) for
your local homeless shelters. Set an outrageous
goal and challenge your employees to meet it.
Encourage them to pick up a pair every time they go
6
grocery or clothes shopping. Start collecting in the Spring so you're
ready to make delivery when the weather starts cooling down in the
Fall. Keep a "Sock-A-Meter" that measures the number of socks
collected (like a thermometer but in the shape of a sock) in a public
spot as a reminder. Invite your customers/clientele to join your
effort.
17) Have a furniture faire. Do you have employees who are good
with their hands and can teach furniture repair and refinishing? Ask
employees (and their friends and families) to donate furniture for
distributing within the business family to those in need, or to a local
charity. Or ask a senior or children's facility if they have furniture
that needs repair or refinishing. Allocate several weekends for the
projects. Not only will your employees be helping others, they'll be
learning a new skill at the same time.
18) Throw a party for kids in a pediatric ward, homeless

shelter or who have disabilities. These
children are often on the low-end of hope and
self-esteem. Make them feel special for a few
hours by hosting a party for them. It can be a
"Just Because" or "Everybody's Birthday"
party or one centered around a holiday. Have
balloons, small gifts, cake and ice cream, games,
and some form of entertainment (a clown, story
teller, magician, local celebrity, etc.).
19) Offer to help a museum. Most museums need help in upkeep

of their collections or securing new items. They may need volunteer
docents or help around the grounds. Getting your employees involved
with a local museum will not only help the museum and the community,
but will enrich the lives of your employees and benefit your company's
public image as well. You might also sponsor a kids' day at the museum
with special tours offered by the museum's staff. Make the day as
interactive as possible to engage and encourage the children's
imaginations and curiosity.
7
20) Place recycling bins in your work room and throughout
the work place. Encourage employees to "feed the
bins"! Secure volunteers to take the recyclables to
the recycling center. Proceeds can be used to throw
a year-end party, create a scholarship fund for
employee's kids, add to the company's Emergency
Fund, start a company child care center, or be
donated to a charity voted on by the employees.
21) Create a Child Care Center in the work place. You will
have very happy and more productive employees when they can drop in
on their children during breaks and lunch time. Have the children
cared for by professionals, or give employees who are the parents
blocks of time to share in the care of the children. Be sure to take all
legal precautions guarding against child abuse, etc. Your corporate
attorney and/or Insurance Company will be able to provide guidelines.
22) Provide physical activity for your employees at the

workplace. Encourage your employees to become more physically
active. Why would you want to do that? Because employee wellness
contributes to the overall health and well-being of your employees,
their families and the community. It's good business practice because
it helps you
• Reduce health care costs
• Reduce illness and injuries
• Reduce absenteeism
• Enhance recruitment and
retention of healthy employees
• Improve employee relations
and morale
Just two examples are Canada which has a country-wide program

called "Active Living At Work"2 complete with resources on how to
introduce such a program in the workplace. And New York state has a
program called MOVE FOR LIFE!3 which is free and available online.
8
23) Stay in touch with your employees. There is nothing that
helps morale more than an employee knowing "the boss" knows who
they are, cares about them and appreciates their work. Make it a
point to know if an employee is seriously ill, going through a difficult
time, is under undue stress. Have supervisors, their secretaries, your
Human Resources office keep you informed. Then send an eCard or
quick personal note. The fact that you noticed and took the time to
acknowledge them can quickly turn a hurting or disgruntled employee
into a loyal one.
24) Provide your employees with their own

shopping mall. Your business can have its own
shopping mall and receive monthly checks from the
purchases made on it (visit: Shop For Charity Day
at www.ShopForCharityDay.com) or create even
greater funding by having your own mall AND giving free malls to
your employees! (visit: My Power Mall at
www.MyPowerMall.com). They are free. Let your
employees decide how the funds raised through
their purchases will be used, i.e. year-end party,
start a work -out room or child care center,
provide scholarships for college classes, etc.
25) Stay aware of community and personnel needs. Watch

the news or read the news paper with an eye for someone your
business can help. Has someone's home burned down? Rally your
employees together and gather funds, household items, etc. for the
family. Has an employee's spouse been assigned extended overseas
duty? Alert your employees to be sensitive to ways they can help the
family left behind, i.e. mowing lawns, family picnics, anonymous gifts,
etc.
26) Keep your company dynamic! Encourage new ideas from your
employees. Have a day every month (or week) that your employees
submit "outrageous ideas" for you to consider. Tell them nothing is
"too far out," "too silly," "too inconsequential" or "too expensive."
9
Make it clear that only ideas offered in a positive way will be
considered. Once a month have your staff go through any ideas that
have been submitted. Keep all ideas so you can return to them again
and again. "Take the lid" off your thinking and allow your imaginations
to take flight. All great ideas were scoffed at when first shared.
When you implement the ideas that have been suggested, be sure to
give credit to the one who submitted the idea and give some kind of
appropriate award plus recognition in the company news and on bulletin
boards, etc.
Zig Ziglar tells a story about fleas in his book, "See You At
The Top." It's said that if you place some fleas in a jar with
a lid, they will of course begin to jump. Obviously they
cannot jump any higher than the lid and after 20 minutes
of only being able to jump that high, that's exactly how
high they will continue to jump.
Once they become accustomed to jumping in the jar, you

can remove the lid and they will never jump any higher
than the height of the lid.
They have become conditioned to the fact that they can

not escape the jar and so they stop trying.
27) Have a company picnic that benefits the community.

Choose a site that needs cleaning, a park with equipment that needs
repairing, a parking lot that needs the lines repainted, a
house or building that needs repainting. Secure
permission from the appropriate city office or
owner. Then have your picnic on-site and have a
work-party at the same time. Not only will your
employees have fun getting to know each other at a
different level, they will also be helping their community as well. Be
sure you push up your sleeves and work alongside your employees.
Watch the morale and company profits soar.
10
28) Have departments within your company each choose a
different charity or cause to support. Then challenge them
within a given period of time to see which department can raise the
most funds for their chosen group. The "winning" department is
treated to a pizza party, potluck dinner, or spaghetti feed in their
honor – put on, of course, by the other departments. This is a win-win-
win situation. Multiple causes win in your community because of
increased funding. The departments all win because they work
together toward a common goal outside themselves. And the company
enjoys a meal and good time together!
29) Sponsor a contest for kids that relates to your

business. For instance, if you are a retail store have kids create the
department or directional signs. If you are a
restaurant, have kids draw pictures of their favorite
food or favorite table waiter. If you are an animal
shelter have kids create and name a mascot for you.
When you choose the winner, invite the Media when you
confer the award. And be sure to display ALL the
submissions and introduce the kids as time permits. Give
awards (free meal, free movie ticket, etc.) to every kid
who participated so everyone's "a winner."
30) Have a "Battle of the Bands" for local teens. Put the
word out that your company is sponsoring an evening for featuring
aspiring young musicians in your community. Offer prizes for all those
who participate. (Other local businesses will be happy to make
donations.) Make sure the Media is there and that you do lots of
advertising before hand. Have the bands perform on your company
property – in the parking lot (be sure to get city permits) would be
ideal. Have popcorn, drinks, and perhaps carnival-type booths for
younger kids.
31) Help your employees improve themselves by providing a

variety of self-improvement resources they can check out through
your Human Resource department. Consider Robert Kiyosaki and Suzie
11
Orman financial games and resources; Conant Nightengale books and
resources, etc. Happy and growing individuals make happy and
productive employees.
32) Remember your employees on their birthdays. Consider

giving them their birthday off. If it falls on a weekend give them
their choice of taking Monday or Friday off. If
your business can't afford to let them take the
whole day off, consider half a day. If time off
isn't possible, then provide a special parking
spot in a highly desirable location. Give them a
card with a gift certificate inside. Make them
feel special and they'll feel you're special, too.
33) Instead of a company Halloween Party have a "Sight

Night"4. Halloween Night is "Sight Night" for the Gift of Sight
Foundation. Dress up in costumes (or not) and "trick or treat" for used
eyewear. Or throw a Halloween Party with "admission" being eyewear.
Employees can collect eyewear from their family, friends and
neighbors. Have prizes for the several categories: the person bringing
the most pairs, the most exotic eyewear, the oldest eyewear, etc. Go
to (www.TheGiftOfSight.com) for more information. Eyewear is
cleaned, repaired, and hand-delivered to underprivileged people in
developing countries who can't afford eyewear. Have fun while giving
the gift of improved sight!
34) Get involved with First Book5 and help low-income kids.
First Book is a national, nonprofit organization with
one purpose: to give low-income kids their first new
books. Books are supplied to children participating
in community-based mentoring, tutoring and family
literacy programs. Every $2.50 donation buys a new
book for a child in need. (Used books are not
accepted.) Or, perhaps you have space in your
facility to accept books for distribution in your area. There are many
ways to get involved. Go to FirstBook.org for more information.
12
35) Support your local hospital. There is a multitude of ways
your employees can get involved at the local hospital(s). Contact one to
find out how you can volunteer time (in the gift shop, reading to kids,
giving visitors directions, etc.). Or ask if there is a particular need
they have. Get several ideas and then let your employees decide which
one(s) to support. You may want to choose a particular ward to help:
pediatrics, oncology, emergency, etc. The human touch is very
important in the healing process as well as for the families of
patients.
36) Get involved with Junior Achievement (JA)6. Junior

Achievement introduces children to the "real world of business" and
helps them see how what they're learning in the classroom is
preparing them for their future. JA's purpose is to spark their
imaginations and curiosity – it's planting seeds within our future
business owners, Board members and
economic leaders. It also teaches them how
the can influence their world as individuals,
workers and consumers. The program begins in
elementary school and continues throughout
high school. You and your employees can
volunteer in a classroom, or volunteer to help
with a special event. Junior Achievement is in more than 200 cities
across the U.S. but even if you don't have one in your community, you
can help impact today's youth with your financial help. Visit their
website at ja.org for more information. Give participating employees
time off from work to visit classrooms and represent your company.
37) Stand out and be different in your community

involvement. You know that it's important to be giving back to your
community, but it's obvious that your company can't support every
good cause. So pick something that you and/or your employees can get
passionate about – or something that will make you unique. If you are a
furniture store, perhaps you could donate furniture to the charity of
your choice or give away the slightly damaged pieces once a quarter
from your parking lot. If you are dentist, perhaps you could give free
13
cleanings to the mothers and children in a shelter once a month. If
you are a trucking company, perhaps you could make free deliveries
for the charity of your choice. By making your community involvement
revolve around your passion or business, you set yourself apart and are
able to help in ways only you and your employees can.
38) Recycle your obsolete equipment among your employees.

Do you replace your office equipment (desks, chairs,
computers, fax machines, typewriters, telephones,
filing cabinets, tables, etc.) on a regular basis?
Make it all available for free to your employees –
with those making the smallest wages getting "first
pick." By "taking care of your own" you will boost
morale and create employee loyalty.
39) Start a "Free Room" at work. Encourage your employees to

bring gently used items (or never used new items) to give away to
others at work. You can accept all kinds of items, or only certain kinds
depending on the size of the room. Assign a different department
each month to keep the room neat. Set certain hours that the Free
Room will be open (and manned by that month's assigned department).
If the same items remain in the room for six months donate them to a
nonprofit group chosen by your employees.
40) Sponsor a Cook Off for the community and donate the
proceeds to your favorite charity. Everyone likes to eat – what
better way to bring your community together
and support a worthy cause than with a Cook
Off? You choose what the participants cook
(chili, cakes, spaghetti, etc.). Ask local
celebrities to do the judging. Be sure the
Media is in on it from start to finish. Feel
free to invite other businesses to sponsor the
event with you – especially if the community
needs something big – like a new wing for the hospital, new equipment
for the city parks, additional curriculum for the school, etc.
14
41) Throw a "BINGO For Charity" night. This can be a
company-wide or community-wide event. Charge for each BINGO card
as usual, but instead of cash prizes offer gifts that have been
donated by different businesses (or your business). Wrap each gift so
the players cannot see what's in them. Sell popcorn, drinks, and
desserts. Donate ALL proceeds to your company's chosen charity.
Announce the amount raised by the event so participants can
celebrate.
"The best advice I have about giving back is this: Do it.

If you're leading a company, or if you're in a
management position of some stature or power, it's just
as important to serve as a role model as it is for you to
help a specific cause. You have a responsibility to live up
to the respect that people give you." 18
~ Michael Dell, Chairman and CEO

Dell Computer Corp.,
Round Rock, TX
42) Along the same line as the "BINGO" idea – offer a

"RIVERBOAT For Charity" night. Set up "gaming tables"
complete with 19th century costumed croupiers. But instead of
gambling games, offer games like "Yahtzee," checkers, and card games
like "Go Fish", "Old Maid", or other family-oriented board games. Sell
snacks and drinks. Make it a "G-rated" family night with all proceeds
going to your company's chosen charity, scholarship fund, etc.
43) Sponsor a city walking/driving tour. Every town has a

unique history. How many people are aware of yours? Contact your
local museum or Chamber of Commerce for information about your
town's history. Identify special areas, buildings and sites with
particularly interesting historical, cultural or social importance.
15
Arrange to have volunteers from the community at each of those
places to share interesting facts and stories. Then create a self-
guided tour brochure. Set a day with hours and a specific starting
place. Have your employees available at the starting point to hand out
the tour brochure and give any needed instructions. Or you can just
create the brochure with driving directions and information in the
brochure about each site on the tour.
44) Start "lunch-bunch" groups. Each group has a specific

purpose, such as reading and discussing a book, brainstorming ideas
for a company project, etc. Each group can be different – or each
group can have the same purpose so the entire company is "on the
same page."
"In the quiet hours, when we are alone and there is

nobody to tell us what fine fellows we are, we come
sometimes upon a moment in which we wonder, not how
much money we are earning, nor how famous we have
become, but what good we are doing." ~ A. A. Milne
45) Offer a company-wide monthly self-improvement

speaker. Shut the company down for an hour each month and invest
in your employees' self-esteem and morale. Your company will see
improvements in production, employee attendance, fewer accidents,
etc. as you affirm your interest and concern for your employees.
46) Mentor men-to-men and women-to-women at your local

prison. Your employees can teach prisoners life skills they will need
upon re-entering society. They can role-play interviews, help them
write resumes, teach about dressing for success,7and workplace
ethics. Learning about team work is another skill they will need to
know once they enter the work force.
16
47) If you are a service that requires memberships to your
business (such as an athletic club) donate memberships to
charity fundraising raffles or auctions. You can also donate
sweatshirts, tee-shirts or mugs, etc. with your business logo/name on
them as door prizes. This is win-win as it provides items for the
charity's fundraising efforts helping them directly, plus it advertises
your business and your support of that charity.
48) Sponsor a Campfire, Boy Scout or Girl Scout or similar

troop or club for summer camp. Many
children in these organizations need extra
help in order to attend camp. And those of
us who have attended some kind of summer
camp know the intangible, life-long benefits
of the camping experience. You will not only
be helping the kids (and troop leaders!) but you will also be gaining
community support for caring.
49) Provide child-care tuition for a low-income child. Contact

a local preschool or after school program to see if there aren't
children they know about who need financial help in order to attend.
It's a great investment in the children and your community to provide
such a service. Latch-key kids experience many problems and dangers
that could be avoided if they are in a safe place. Check with a local
elementary school to see if you can help get such an after school
program started or expanded.
50) Offer summer employment for high school and college

students. Plan special projects or increased production during the
summer months and hirer students to help. Let the schools know what
you are doing. You may be able to speak in front of life skills or home
room classes. Be sure to take advantage of Job Fairs where you can
talk to the students and hand out applications.
17
51) Offer "pro bono" work to a charity you are passionate
about. If you are a law firm, you can give free legal advice to the
charity's clientele or the charity itself. If you are an advertising firm,
you can do the advertising for their up-coming fundraising event(s). If
you are a marketing company, you can do the marketing for the
organization in an on-going capacity or for a particular event. Offering
a service you know and do well for a cause that is near-and-dear to
your heart will create a powerful synergy as well as community
goodwill for your business.
52) Provide "sobriety birthday cakes" for a substance

abuse rehabilitation program. Substance abusers
celebrate their sobriety every year. Your
company could provide special "sobriety birthday
cakes" on a monthly basis or perhaps for an annual
celebration offered by the substance abuse
program. These are events well worth celebrating in
a big way as encouragement to the recovering
abusers as well as for the community which
benefits from their commitment to sobriety.
53) Offer a training event for low-income kids or kids who

have disabilities. Have employees with specific skills teach,
demonstrate or model that particular skill for the kids. Provide free
hand-outs and lots of question-answer time. Have your employees
available for one-on-one conversations with the kids. You might
provide a tour of your facilities after the training event. Provide
snacks and beverages to put the kids at ease.
54) Sponsor a community Easter Egg Hunt. Have your

employees donate plastic colored eggs that can hold small candies or
gifts. Use your own facility if possible and set the time
when the public can arrive. Limit the age of the
children who can hunt for eggs. You may want to let
the youngest children search for the first 20 minutes
and then allow the older kids to hunt. You can provide
18
inexpensive baskets or paper/plastic bags for the children. After the
hunt, provide "brunch" with all proceeds going to your company's
favorite cause, scholarship fund, etc.
55) If you are a Real Estate or Mortgage company, donate a

percentage of every escrow to charity. Nonprofit groups that
specialize in building homes would be ideal. Let the sell or purchase of
every house from your company help create a home for someone who
can't afford one. Let your clients know what you are doing and that
they are part of your efforts. Keep a tally of how many houses your
company "has built" through these efforts.
56) Landscape a local school or public office. Whether you are

a landscaping company, a nursery, or not you can help beautify a public
place. Your employees probably already know of organizations that
need this kind of help. If not, call a school, senior citizens center, or
homeless shelter and ask if they need any landscaping help. Find out
exactly what they need. It would be a good idea to have two or three
people from your company go down and physically see what needs to be
done. Have employees gather for a Saturday "work party" at the
designated spot. They can donate the landscaping materials and plants,
or your business can. Or consider co-sponsoring the event with a
nursery or landscaping company.
57) Help your Community Theatre.

Community theaters can always use help
whether it's supplies for building sets or
costumes, updated lighting and/or sound
equipment, refurbished seats, computers or
advertising. These people bring hours of
entertainment to your community and they will
sincerely appreciate your help!
58) Donate your replaced or surplus computers and office

equipment to charity. Many smaller organizations cannot update
their equipment on a regular basis and are working with obsolete
19
computers and copiers. When you are replace yours, contact a smaller
nonprofit group and ask if they could utilize what you are replacing.
Offer deliver and set up what you are donating – especially computers
and other office equipment. Be sure to send along the manuals that go
with them.
59) Offer to pay for a post office box or mailbox for a

local shelter. Having a mailbox address allows battered women to
receive mail without it being delivered to a street address. These
women need anonymity for their safety. This is also a great idea for a
homeless shelter. Many shelters offer programs to help residents get
jobs. However, in order to get a job the applicant must have a mailing
address. This is a wonderful gift for people in dire situations who are
trying to improve themselves and their situation.
60) Sponsor a community youth sports team. You can help your
community's youth sports programs by purchasing uniforms or
equipment and by paying for advertising on their field
fences, etc. Playing a team sport is an important
way for kids to learn team skills, cooperation
and leadership which they will use throughout
their life. Supporting these programs in a tangible
way is not only an investment in our kids' future and
an immediate boon to them and their volunteer
coaches' morale, but shows your company cares.
61) Encourage your employees to serve on civic or nonprofit

boards or committees. Give them time off if these meetings occur
during the work day. Consider paying their membership "dues" and
support them attending the monthly luncheons. They will be
representing your company at every meeting, so give them all the
support they need to represent you well.
62) Create or contribute to a scholarship fund for single

parents who want to go back to school. Provide funds for
tuition, books, and daycare for their children. Set the parameters of
20
who you will help – employees? Their families? A local agency already
providing a similar service? A particular department at the local
community college? You can either donate a particular percentage of
your gross income, or get your employees involved in fundraisers.
Provide a banquet dinner for every graduate you help support.
63) Mentor kids in your local youth corrections facility.

Every inmate needs support and mentoring. But kids especially need to
know that someone knows and cares about them. Be a friend who visits
and writes on a regular basis. Give the gift of hope. See if your
company can't help improve the conditions at the facility. Make it a
company-wide project.
"Everybody can do something that makes a difference.

Everybody has talents that could help someone else.
Entrepreneurs, especially, can contribute real business
skills to nonprofits that can help programs function
more efficiently and reach more people." 28
~Todd R. Wagner
The Todd R. Wagner Foundation
Dallas, Texas
64) Create an employee volunteer program8. Your employees

will benefit with improved performance, increased job satisfaction,
better team work, increased leadership and skill development and
improved communication between them and their supervisors as well
as across departments. Your business benefits because such a
program builds brand awareness, strengthens trust among the
community, enhances your image, improves employee retention and
productivity, and strengthens your relationships within the community.
In a 1999 survey, Points of Light Foundation found that 74% of
companies surveyed agree that volunteerism increases employee
21
productivity, 93% said their volunteer programs helped improve
employee teamwork, and 81% said it directly affected the bottom line.
65) Donate free website design and development services

to a local nonprofit. Smaller nonprofit companies often cannot
afford a web designer and don't know where to start in designing and
marketing a website. If you have recently updated your computers,
donate the computers you just replaced. Or if you have surplus
computers, printers, or scanners donate and network them for the
organization.
66) Offer your lobby as an art gallery for aspiring artists.

Contact local schools and colleges and offer your lobby as an art
gallery for their students. You can display
their art year round (having them come and
rotate pictures and sculptures). You can also
feature artists on a monthly basis complete
with an opening show for their art work.
They will be more than happy to come and
set up their work at your invitation. Pay for
the advertising for their show and invite the Media.
67) Sponsor a Health Faire in your parking lot. Invite local

health agencies to come and give free health screenings, blood
pressure tests, eye exams, glaucoma testing, etc. Invite the Red Cross
to set up a blood donor drive at the same time. Your mental health
department may have programs they would like to highlight. Let each
group set up their own table and hand out brochures along with
offering a health service.
68) Create a nature trail. Is there an area of natural beauty in or

near your town? Consider creating a nature trail complete with resting
benches. Employees can participate in many areas: the physical labor
of clearing the route for the trail; securing the landscaping materials
for the trail itself; research for naming the plants are natural
22
phenomenon along the path; creating and placing the plant signs as well
as directional signs; creating a self-guided tour brochure.
69) Start a kids' drop-in center (or volunteer to help at

one already in progress). Provide a safe place for kids to come
after school and do their homework or play with their friends. Have
people there to help with homework questions and supervise the kids'
play. Provide table games, basketball hoops, foosball tables, and
possibly a TV/DVD area where a movie of your choice is played. Some
kids will want to be active, others may need some down-time. If
possible provide computers with printers for homework assignments.
70) Provide healthy vending machines instead of sodas and

sweets. Put healthy food in those vending machines in the lunch or
staff room. Offer fruit, yogurt and healthy snacks and sandwiches.
Avoid the salty snack and candy machines altogether. Offer juices,
milk, and water.
71) Start a Wish List program.9 Solicit lists of items needed

from an emergency shelter or temporary home
facility in your community. Post the list in the work
room or put a copy in each employee's paycheck
envelope. Assign a room to accept donations. Ask
for volunteers to box the items and deliver them
to the shelter and the appointed time. Encourage
your employees to stay in touch with the shelter
throughout the year for additional ways to help.
72) Join with other organizations and businesses to create

parks10 in your area. As more and more of our land is paved over
with buildings, residences and roadways, park land is disappearing.
Gather together businesses that have trucks, landscaping materials,
nurseries, and can create playground equipment and ask the city to
donate land for your project. See if there aren't houses or property
downtown and in residential areas that can be converted into parks.
Solicit help from Real Estate agents, the City Planning Department,
23
etc. to make it happen. Pull in the Media from the beginning and let
them help get the word out.
73) Sponsor "Make-Overs" for the moms and daughters in

shelters or safe houses. These individuals are under a lot of
stress and suffering from poor self-esteem. Contact a beauty college,
local beauticians or even women in your own company who will give hair
cuts, shampoos, perms, manicures, pedicures and can do make-up.
Make them feel extra-special and the center of attention for a few
hours.
74) Sponsor a major food drive for local shelters and/or

food pantries. If you are a membership service, give away a free
membership for a bag (or two) of groceries.11 For current members
and employees, give away t-shirts for bags of groceries or donations
or participation in your service several times per week for the month
during the food drive. Ask local newspapers and grocery stores to
partner with you by publishing news releases and displaying brochures
and promotional posters.
"I believe in linking your business to what you do

philanthropically. It's a great way to leverage your
resources, your connections, and your strengths. Let
philanthropic projects be driven by the interests and the
abilities of your employees – as well as by the interests of
both your share-holders and your clients." 29
~Roger Brown, Cofounder, President, CEO

Bright Horizons Famly Solutions Inc.
Cambridge, Massachusetts
75) Hold an Annual Amateur Models Run-Way Show. Partner

with a low-income program and several clothing stores. Let as many
kids as possible participate in modeling the clothes. Get your
24
employees involved. Have someone teach the kids how to walk down
the run-way to music. Get the Media involved in promoting the Show.
Sell tickets and donate all proceeds to the low-income program you're
working with. Not only will the kids have a blast, learn a lot about
hygiene and performing before an audience, but you'll be helping a
local nonprofit organization and your public image as well.
76) Help furnish a "new" home for abused or battered

women and their kids.12 These women often leave everything
behind when they escape their abuser. It's difficult to leave that kind
of situation knowing you have to start over. Work with the shelters as
well as the placement agencies or groups that are helping women who
are overcoming their situation and becoming self-sufficient.
77) Sponsor a community Dessert Contest. Invite local

celebrities to be the judges. Ask the Media to help you get the word
out. Have employees put up posters in Laundromats, bowling alleys,
store windows, etc. Ask local restaurants if they will feature the
winning dessert for a month. Invite the
community and charge per slice or serving
of the desserts after the judging is
completed. Invite others to make cakes
and/or pies for sale as well as having good
old-fashioned Cake Walks. All proceeds
from the Contest as well as the dessert
sold at the local restaurants are donated to
a charity, scholarship fund, community project, etc.
78) Support or start a "Kids Voting USA"13 program in your

community. This is an organization that provides instructional
materials for K-12 teachers to teach our youth to be responsible
citizens by learning how important voting is as adults. Kids learn about
democracy in family dialogue, classroom activities and by actually
voting in special mock polling locations while their parents are voting.
Your employees can get involved via their kids' school activities as well
as by helping with marketing, public relations, fundraising and
25
information technology expertise. Go here to learn more:
http://www.kidsvotingusa.org/
79) Do you do business in a small town? Do your kids travel

miles for entertainment, i.e. going to the movies, ice arena, miniature
golf, bowling etc.? Consider keeping them safe by providing
entertainment at home. Offer your facility (or rent a hall for them)
for dances, battle-of-the-bands, rented movies. Or challenge the
community to build a theater14, bowling alley or miniature golf course.
80) Donate carpeting, freezers, washers, dryers, etc. to

families who have lost theirs due to flooding of basements.
Every year areas of our country (yours may be one of them) suffer
flooding of basements. After arranging for replacements, help deliver
and install them. Get your employees involved. While the families are
waiting, have your employees volunteer to do their laundry, cook meals,
or help with the clean-up.
81) Start or support a program that helps adults and youth

understand the problems and issues the kids are facing
today. Bring in special speakers (testimonials are the best) and use
multi-media to engage the participants. Possible topics would be
teenage depression, alcohol awareness, teen suicide, etc.
82) Create a coupon book for your

products/services and provide them to
nonprofits as fundraisers.15 Sell the books
for a $1 to cover your printing costs and suggest
the nonprofit groups resale them for $3-$5.
Include discount coupons from your vendors or
associates as well.
83) Teach English to non-English-speaking employees

and/or members of your community. Provide tutors (other
employees) onsite. Make it available to all employees on a volunteer
26
basis. Some of your employees may be parents of children in their
school's ESL program. You'll be helping not only your employees, but
their families and your community at the same time. Contact your
local school district for information about how to teach English as a
Second Language (ESL). You might also visit EnglishClub.com for ideas.
84) Support or start a learning program for kids revolving

around outdoor activities. You can host outdoor activities such as
hiking, canoeing, archery or fishing. Invite their parents to
participate. Teach about the flora and fauna of the areas you visit
along with the skills needed for the activity.
85) Host satellite college classroom sites in your facility.16

Encourage your employees to attend the classes. Help them earn a
college degree rather than just going through company-sponsored
training. You'll be amazed on the return of your investment to your
employees, your company and the community.
86) Help local residents start their own business. As a

business owner you have many insights and skills that you can freely
share. Offer a one day seminar and invite other business owners to
share their insights. At the end of the seminar, provide a panel of the
business owners for a question and answer segment.
87) Start a CASHFLOW® 101 game night once a month (or

more often). Robert Kyosaki17 and Sharon Lechter have created an
excellent way of teaching people (including kids) how to create income.
Utilize his "Rich Dad Poor Dad" books, audios and games and the books
of his associates. He makes learning economics fun. Provide it for your
employees and their families – or invite kids from the community.
88) Get your employees to volunteer at

an equine therapy center. These centers
are designed to help people through interaction
with horses. The centers' needs are as varied
as their programs:
27
• Walking beside a horse being ridden by a person with
physical or mental handicaps
• Working in the barn
• Help with caring for the horses
• Cleaning tack
• Helping at fundraising events
• Serving on boards and communities
89) Are you an accounting or tax firm? Encourage your

employees to donate assistance to small nonprofit organizations or
businesses that cannot afford to pay for accounting, auditing or tax
services. They might also help individuals who need help with their
taxes such as the poor, disabled or elderly. You could also offer free
or low-cost seminars and workshops on personal or business finance.
Go here to find more ideas
www.aicpa.org/pubs/jofa/nov1999/shafer.html
90) Set up a different kind of scholarship fund. Use your

imagination and create something unique. There may be children in
your community (or even employees' kids) who can't go to preschool or
after school programs or summer camp because of lack of funding.
Perhaps high school students need help with school supplies and
clothing. Maybe college students need help – but you want to use
different criteria for awards, like community service, environmental
involvement, etc. Perhaps you have employees who would like to go
back to school to get their G.E.D. – a scholarship for them might be
time off for adult school classes. Maybe you have employees who
would like to go to college and you can pay tuition or books. The ideas
are as varied as the needs in your company or community.
91) Give matching grants, award grants or in-kind grants.

Recognize an employee each year who has been active in community
service. Award a grant (cash and/or in-kind) to the charity they've
been helping. You might also provide a matching grant of any donations
they've made.
28
92) Sponsor a clean-up day in your city. Depending on the size
of your town you may need to select a specific area instead of an all-
city clean-up. Ask the Media to help get the word out. Have employees
hang posters around town. Make it a fun day at the
same time. If it's a smaller area, invite a band or DJ
to play while you clean. Provide a hotdog and beverage
lunch. Ask the local grocery stores to donate food. If
small children will be present, provide a special area
for child care with lots of activities. If you choose
the first Saturday of the month, list your project for free at the
Together We Can Change the Word Day19 website and get as many
people involved as possible.
93) Call the Red Cross and host a blood drive. If you have the
space, offer your workplace as the donation site. If you don't have
space, set up a shuttle service for your employees. Donate meals for
the volunteers. You can also make the appointments and have
employees directing people as needed. Contact the Media and have
employees place flyers around town. You might even challenge similar
sized businesses to see which company will donate the most blood. If
you're a small town – challenge a neighboring town. Be sure to have the
Media do stories during the donations and a follow-up story
afterward.
94) Sell rights to "dress down" on Friday.20 Employees donate

$1 (or whatever amount you choose) for the right to dress down. The
company matches that amount and donates it to an agreed upon
charity (or several on a rotational basis) chosen by the employees. Be
sure to give the employees a running tally of monies raised and where
it was sent.
95) Sponsor a bowling tournament to raise

funds for charity.21 Close the office and have
employees go to a local bowling alley. Raise money for
fun things like $3 for bowling a strike or $1 for rolling
a gutter ball. Donate the funds to a predetermined
29
charity (chosen by the employees).
96) Offer "give-aways" for 2-3 hours.22 If you provide a

product or service, give it away for a 2-3 hour period in exchange for
a donation to a charity. Decide on the charity beforehand and mention
it in your media blitz. Be prepared with extra help (and supplies) for
the give-away time period.
97) Are you a printing or copying company?23 Provide free in-

kind services to local nonprofits in your town. Involvement with the
community allows people to see your name and this will generate more
business. Being able to help and receive benefits to your company at
the same time is definitely a win-win situation. You can also support
new businesses in the community by helping them get started by doing
some of their start-up printing without charge. They will most likely
become your customer for all their printing needs.
98) Donate one day's earnings to charity.24 Choose one day

where your employees will perform all their regular services but all
money brought in that day will be donated to the charity of their
choice.
99) Sponsor a Christmas tree decoration display.25 Invite

local artists to decorate trees and put them on
display in front of your place of business or a
busy spot – perhaps the local mall. Do a silent
auction during their display (or during a
particular day and time) with all proceeds going
to a local charity. Deliver the trees to the
auction winners. Or instead of an auction, simply
donate them to senior centers, homeless shelters, pediatric wards,
etc.
100) Allow your employees to make charitable donations as

deductions from their paychecks to a matching fund.26 Have
employees decide on what nonprofit group(s) will benefit form their
30
donations. Then allow them to specify how much the company will
withhold from their paycheck and put into a special employees' fund.
At the end of the year, the company will match the employees' fund
and donate the combined funds to the predetermined
charity/charities.
101) Adopt a nonprofit organization and get involved in all

areas. Let the employees choose the charity. Donate time working at
the shelter on a regular basis. Help with mailings (usually a huge job),
cleaning, yard work, serving meals, bookkeeping, and sorting donations.
Provide special "drives" for the organization, i.e. books or resources
for their library, toys for the children, school supplies, blankets and
coats, etc. By working with them on a regular basis, they will let you
know of special needs.
BONUS IDEAS:
102) Give your employees a set number of hours each year

for community service projects.27 This time is in addition to
vacation time or sick leave. Set up criteria for the areas in which they
volunteer, i.e. must be nonprofit, non-discriminatory, etc. Set up a way
to coordinate employee involvement and keep track of their hours.
"Even the smallest companies and the busiest people

can make a big difference with very little effort. Start by
changing your perspective. Recognize that your
company has a lot to offer whatever its size. The
challenge is to find a way to employ your resources
creatively." 30
Ami Dar, Executive Director

Action Without Borders
New York, New York
31
103) Help kids think "outside the box" about what they can
do. For instance, if you are a computer or computer software
company, offer a class to teach kids how to put together a computer
or the different areas of programming, or marketing or business
development. Be sure girls and minorities make up more than 50% of
your classes!
104) Set up a monthly luncheon or breakfast for business

and nonprofit leaders. Have them brainstorm community issues and
how business philanthropy can help. Have one or more of the business
leaders be restaurateur(s) who will donate the meeting place and meal.
32
References
1
Big Brothers Big Sisters (http://www.bbbs.org)
2
Canada's Active Living at Work (http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/pau-
uap/fitness/work/introduction_e.html)
3
New York's MOVE FOR LIFE! is free and available online at
(www.Move4Life.org)
4
the Gift of Sight Foundation started "Sight Night" in 1999
(www.givethegiftofsight.com)
5
FirstBook (www.firstbook.org)
6
Junior Achievement (www.ja.org)
7
Dress for Success (www.dressforsuccess.org) is an organization for
women that may be able to help provide clothing and additional
training
8
Volunteer Match (www.volunteermatch.org/business/businesscase)
9
The Wish List program of the Middlesex County Human Services,
Massachusetts
(http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_2005_Dec_19/ai_n
15952082)
10
"Partners for Parks" program
(http://www.mnchamber.com/foundation/view_story.cfm?ID=4)
11
Curves for Women in Minnesota
12
Becker Furniture World
13
Kids Voting USA (http://www.kidsvotingusa.org/)
14
Wells Fargo and Baudette, Minn build a theater
15
Hy-Vee supermarket coupon books for fundraisers
16
Viracon supports high education onsite
17
Robert Kyosaki's website is http://richdad.org/
18
Quote by Michael Dell, Chairman & CEO, Dell Computer Corp.
(http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/30/one.html)
19
http://www.TogetherWeCanChangeTheWorldDay.com
33
20
Jeans Day at U.S. Bancorp, Marshall, Minn.
21
Bowling tournaments
22
Give-aways with donations
23
Free in-kind printing
24
One day's earnings to charity
25
Christmas tree decorating
26
Paycheck deductions
27
Set number of volunteer hours off work
28
http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/41/one.html
29
30
34
Regardless of your political persuasion, the Memorial Day movie will give you
a new appreciation for those who have given their all for us. Visit:
Prints -- Take advantage of our beautiful prints. These stunning, free prints
have been designed exclusively for Together We Can Change the World, Inc. by
our Graphics Team. They are in brilliant color and suitable for framing. Consider
35
101 Ways Your Church
Can Change The World

By Sandi Valentine & Shawn Dowdy
With Cheryl Clift
For
Together We Can Change The World
(Revised June 2007)
101 Ways Your Church
It may sound presumptuous of me to write an e-book for churches since your

purpose already is to change the world! Having been a member and leader in
churches all my life, I know that sometimes we do the same things over and
over again just because they've worked in the past. I remember always being
"on the prowl" for new ideas – new ways of reaching out and making a
difference. I found what excited and motivated some people in the church
didn't challenge or inspire others. And so I hope this little e-book may prove
helpful in sparking new, fun and effective ways for your church to reach out
to a hurting world.
Some of these ideas may be things you've already tried or are already doing.
Hopefully you'll find some that are different or new. I hope you'll put your
own "special spin" to them so they work for your unique congregation.
Our company's name is Together We Can Change the World because we want
to make a difference, too! And so we offer this e-book in a spirit of working
together to effect change in this world we share.
If you have ideas that are not included, please send them to me at
sandi@togetherwecanchangetheworld.com. Perhaps we can create a second
volume or just add more to this one.
We wish you great success as you reach out to change lives and hearts for
the Lord.
With Joy and Passion,
Sandi Valentine
This E-book is our gift to you because
we believe that
Together We Can Change the World!
2
110011 W
Waayyss Y
Yoouurr CChhuurrcchh CCaann CChhaannggee tthhee W
Woorrlldd
1) Plant a flowerbed at the church. Use this as a teaching opportunity

for the children or youth of the church. They'll learn how to
garden and appreciate God's gift of nature and variety.
2) Adding to the idea of the flowerbed. When the

flowers bloom, make simple bouquets that can be used in
worship and then taken to someone who is homebound or in
the hospital. If appropriate, include some of the children and/or youth when
delivering the flowers. Most people are delighted to have young people visit.
NOTE: Keep your visit very short and end with a simple prayer of
thanksgiving.
3) Have a Variety Show and donate the proceeds to something

specific: Missions, your Building Campaign, Vacation Bible School, etc. A
Variety Show is not a Talent Show although it will certainly include people
sharing their talent. By offering it as a Variety Show, anyone can participate
– people don't have to be able to sing, play an instrument or dance. For
example: a person who creates floral arrangements can demonstrate the
basics of floral design; or someone who is talented in interior design or
landscaping can share "insider" tips. Be sure to limit their time according to
the number of "entries."
4) Put a new twist on the common rummage sale. Instead of just

selling items, use them to "barter" for donated
time around the church for yard work, or for help
with a special church project. The "price" of the
items can be 5 minutes of their time. Instead of
cash each person carries a 4 X 6 card with them
and the "clerks" at each table puts the amount of
time they "owe" for each item "purchased" on the
individual's card as well as a running list at
his/her table.
3
5) Using the same idea as the rummage sale above, have an
Auction. Use the same idea. Instead of raising money, "raise time" for work
parties, office help, and special projects. People bid on an item with the
amount of time they're willing to donate to the specific project that item
represents.
6) Contact a missionary and find out what items they need on the
field. Then organize a drive to collect those items. Provide large boxes at
the entrance to the church and other strategic places around the church
facilities. Clearly mark what the boxes are for and publicize it in the
newsletter, worship folder, etc. Challenge the congregation to collect what's
needed in a given period of time – perhaps 4 weeks. (Much longer than that
and they may start to lose interest.) Include the children and/or youth in
packaging the items and mailing them.
7) Teach a Sunday School class or Youth Group how to sew, knit

or crochet. They can make simple items like blankets, scarves, etc. which
can be donated to other kids – orphanages, Emergency Shelters, etc. Be sure
they include a note with each item sharing who made the
item, how old they were or what grade in school, etc.
Talk to the kids about where and to whom the items
they're making will go. It will give them a tangible
connection to the recipients instead of just a vague
sense of "doing good."
8) Or get a like-minded group of crafters

together and create blankets, sweaters, etc. for a favorite
ministry. Guideposts has a simple sweater pattern whether you knit or
crochet. Join Knit for Kids by downloading one of their patterns and help
kids in the U.S. and around the world: www.dailyguideposts.com/knitforkids.
Mailing instructions are included on the pattern.
9) Set aside a day to help your pastor. Offer to do whatever he or

she needs. It may be running errands, organizing and filing sermons or
sermon illustrations, doing research, typing notes, or even washing the car!
4
10) Gather the children or youth together and start a choir of
young people. It doesn't matter if you can't play the piano/keyboard or
find anyone else to – there are great accompaniment tapes and CDs now that
kids love to sing to! Of course they can sing in worship, but they can also
travel to retirement homes, rest homes, or homebound members. With an
accompaniment tape, all you need is a "boombox"!
11) Be an Office Angel! Volunteer to help in the office in any way you're
needed. Fold and stuff worship folders, work in the library, organize shelves
and files, answer phones, dust, run errands, etc.
12) Start a Video/Audio Library. Ask people to donate

their "G" rated and Christian videos and DVDs, tapes and CDs.
Set it up in a central location (the Fellowship Hall is great!)
and check them out just like you do books. You can also accept
donations and/or purchase movies and tape series as well.
13) Create a list of teenagers (boys and girls) who would be

willing to babysit for free or at a very low cost. Single parents often
need help so they can do their shopping and errands – or just get away for a
little while by themselves.
14) Volunteer to help with Vacation Bible School. You don't have to
teach. There are always "behind the scenes" activities taking place: make –
serve – clean-up snacks, set up and clean up the craft area, come early to
open up and/or stay late to clean-up and lock-up.
15) Have members collect new toys, school supplies,

hard candy and other gifts that can fit into a
shoebox. These items can be sent year-round to:
Samaritan's Purse International Headquarters, 801 Bamboo
Road, Boone, N.C. 28607. Or your church can participate in
Operation Christmas Child which is the same shoebox
ministry. National Collection Week occurs in November, so you
need to start early. Go to: www.samaritanspurse.org/OCC_LocalReps.asp and
choose your state on the map to find more information about your local
drop-off sites.
5
16) Do you have a skill that can help others in your church? Can
you work on cars – change oil, tires, etc.? Balance checkbooks? Groom pets?
Fix plumbing or do electrical work? Paint houses? Start a Volunteer Skills
Hotline List at your church and leave it with the church secretary who can
screen callers before giving out your name and/or telephone number.
17) Set up a Back-To-School Emergency Fund for low income

families. Accept donations to the fund throughout the year. When families
start purchasing clothing and school supplies, make Back-To-School grants to
worthy families.
18) If your school district has a uniform dress

code, collect gently used out-grown or no-longer-
needed uniforms. Kids grow out of them every year – or
graduate – and no longer need them. Make them available to
families in your church or their neighbors who may need help.
19) Set up an informal after-school drop-in center.

Use your Fellowship Hall and set it up with tables and chairs. Have older
youth and adults available to help with homework. Also offer table games for
when homework is done. Or have organized outdoor games if your property
and weather permits. Also provide a "chat center" where kids can just sit
and visit with each other. Limit music to after everyone's done with
homework or if it won't interfere with studying.
20) Provide healthy snack and drink vending

machines. Use the money for a special project – like the
after-school drop-in center, a new computer for the
pastor, or a missions trip.
21) Here's a different spin on the "Secret Sister"

idea. Instead of women choosing other women in the church, contact your
local prison or women's safe house and get the names of women there (work
closely with the Administrator). Each of the church's participating women
can draw a name of the receiving women and send monthly notes and small
gifts. Have women volunteer to drop off the notes and gifts to the
6
organization. At the end of the year, the church women can provide a "tea"
and invite the other women (or take it to them!) to introduce themselves to
their "Secret Sister."
22) Challenge the Youth Group to raise money throughout the

year to send a kid (or kids) from a shelter or orphanage to your
church's summer camp. It can be done anonymously or they can meet
their new friend(s) ahead of time.
23) Get a group together once a month to paint a

house. Ask the pastor or church secretary for the
names of people who can't get out any more or who have
been having a tough time recently. The group doesn't have
to paint the entire house – perhaps just a room or two inside.
Or take on the bigger challenge of painting the exterior!
24) Adopt a section of your highway – or city, to pick up trash.

Anyone and everyone can do this. Be sure to smile and wave at
passersby – let them know you live in a friendly town!
25) Hand out free sodas or health bars to people. Give them a smile
and a "have a nice day." Do it with no strings attached. The only thing you
say if they ask why you're giving it to them is, "because Jesus loves you." If
they ask, be ready to hand them a card with your church's name, address,
phone number and worship times.
26) Provide Church Business Cards to all your members.

They can hand them out like regular business cards, and
leave them in public places. The card should include
the name of the church, address, phone number and
worship times.
27) Have the Youth Group make their own Church Business
Cards. There are many free templates available online – and probably on
your own computer. The kids can hand out their "Business Cards" to friends
7
at school, and other young people they meet at bus stops, malls, etc. If the
kids design the cards themselves, they're much more likely to pass them out.
28) Find out what Missionaries your church supports and get
personally involved supporting one. Invite others to join you in writing,
sending occasional packages, and making special financial gifts. Be sure to
include them, by name, in your daily prayers. Send pictures of your group
members – make it personal.
29) Have one of the small groups you're a

member of send postcards or notes to the
homebound members every week. With each
person writing one or two cards, you can quickly
send a personal greeting to people who may feel
isolated and lonely. Ask the group members to donate
the Christian postcards or stationery and postage.
30) Have a "Scavenger Hunt" for canned food. Have the Youth
Group go on a scavenger hunt for canned food to help stock
your church's food pantry or for the local food bank.
People are more than willing to donate a can of food
and the kids will have fun doing the collecting. Offer
prizes for each team – be creative with the prize
categories: for bringing in the most food, the most
variety of food items, the most colorful cans, the
most of one kind of item, etc. Everyone gets a prize!
And have a big party at the church or someone's home
where the teams bring the food when they're done with the hunt. Provide
food and let the kids tell all about their experiences of going door-to-door.
They'll have lots to share!
31) Have your small group provide the worship service at the
local Rescue Mission, assisted living facility, or retirement home.
These facilities are always looking for help. If your group doesn't have the
talents needed, invite another group (or 2) to join you.
8
32) Have your small group serve a meal at a homeless shelter or
soup kitchen. Or cook meals for several of your church members or their
neighbors who have been having a difficult time and deliver them. Put them
in disposable freezer-friendly dishes that don't need to be returned.
33) Challenge the children's Sunday School classes to

bring toys they no longer play with that are still in
good condition. Talk to them about how some children in
their city don't have their own toys to play with and how
special it would make them feel to have one of their own.
Donate the toys to a local women's shelter or similar group.
34) Have the Womens' groups pool their life-skills

and talents. Offer a series of classes where women take turns
teaching one of their life-skills to others. This can be anything from how to
make a budget to creative cooking ideas for children. Invite the teenagers
and young adults to attend! Open it up to other churches as well.
35) Expand on the idea above to include the men. Men and women
need to know how to balance a checkbook, get organized, create a budget,
plan a vacation, pick a mechanic, etc.
36) Offer a computer education class at

your church. There are a lot of people who would
like to improve their computer skills, or learn about
the computer, or even learn how to program. Many
don't want to commit to a continuing education
program, or feel intimidated by the very idea of
taking a class but would be very pleased to take classes
at church from someone they know and trust.
37) Start a Good Steward Recycling Program. Being a good steward

of our earth is important. Start a collection site at your church that is
convenient for your members (and community if you have the space and
volunteers). Decide what you'll recycle and if there is cash back, what the
money will be used for (summer camp fund, missionaries, buy a van for the
9
church, etc.). Be sure to publicize the project often so people get in the
habit of bringing their items to the church.
38) Make the first Sunday of the month Food Pantry

Sunday. Have big tubs at the entrance and exits on that
Sunday so it is easy for people to drop off their food. Remind
them the week before. Have a group or individual responsible
for stocking the pantry or delivering the food the next week
to a local food bank.
39) Have your members practice good stewardship and do all

their online shopping on your church's very own online shopping
mall. The Shop For Charity Day fundraising mall (visit:
www.ShopForCharityDay.com) has over 1,000 stores and every purchase
made results in funding for your church. Create even greater funding
by having your own mall AND giving malls to your members! (visit:
www.MyPowerMall.com). (There is absolutely no obligation or cost involved --
ever!)
40) Set up an Emergency Needs Fund for church members.

Sometimes we have more month than money and just need utility or rent
money. Set up a fund for just those occasions with the provision that it will
be paid back with the next paycheck. Also have provision for granting money
as well. Have the church keep a minimum amount available
each year.
41) Have a Teddy Bear Drive. Donate the teddy bears

to local police stations and fire stations for traumatized
children. There's something very soothing about hugging a
Teddy Bear when you're frightened or lonely.
42) Have your small group start a Pet Sitting Service.

Church members may need to leave pets behind on vacation, a business trip
or unexpected hospitalization. Knowing their beloved pet is being cared for
by someone they know and trust is a great relief in a time of stress.
10
43) Host a concert. Your pastor or church secretary can get you in touch
with Christian groups touring in your area. Or use your own local talent and
invite other church talent to join yours. Offer the concert for free. Or let
it be known you'll be collecting a "love offering" and what that offering (or
the price of the tickets) will be donated to.
44) Have artists create a piece of art work during the worship
service. Invite church members who are artists to
create a piece of art during the service. Let them know
ahead of time what the theme of the message or service
will be and ask them to create something in keeping with
that theme. Ask them to be available to speak with
church members after the service. Many people will want
to ask questions, or just get a closer look. Arrange to
display the art work in an appropriate place in the church
facility.
45) If you are an artist, offer your talent to your church. Be

creative with ways you can donate your skills and art work. Provide art for
the Fellowship Hall or church entry. Teach an art class. Teach a class about
art in the Bible. Decorate the pastor's office or the church office.
46) Are you a Beautician? You can volunteer to cut and style hair for
church members who are homebound, have recently had surgery, or a new
mother who just needs a lift. A few minutes of your time can make a world
of difference.
47) Start an exercise class for women. You have

a lot of women who would rather exercise with others
they know. All it takes is a TV and VCR or DVD player
and a tape/DVD and you've got your own exercise group!
New moms will especially appreciate the opportunity to
get out and get in shape. Provide babysitting.
48) Find a prayer partner. Give each other your prayer needs and
commit to praying for each other every day. If possible pray at the same
11
time of day. And of course, praying with each other physically is a very
powerful thing!
49) If your church doesn't have one, start a Prayer Meeting. It

can be very informal with everyone praying silently, or it can be as organized
as providing topics to pray for, taking turns praying aloud, or having one
person lead everyone in prayer. It's true that a praying church is a powerful
church!
50) Encourage your young people to participate in (or start) See

You at the Pole at their school. This is a student-led, student-initiated
movement of prayer where students pray together on the 4th Wednesday of
September. The meetings are usually before school and usually at the
school's flagpole. Students in elementary, middle/junior high and senior high
schools as well as colleges/universities all over the world participate. Adults
often pray in support of the students on campus by gathering nearby, at city
halls, at work or in places of worship. Visit www.syatp.com for more
information.
51) Offer a Bible foods cooking class. You can research

foods that were made and eaten in the Bible. Then offer a class
teaching about those foods and actually cook them. Cooking
classes are popular – and everyone likes to eat!
52) Offer a finances seminar. Invite a member of your

church or a Christian CPA or financial planner to talk about budgeting and
financial planning. Specifically invite young adults, newlyweds, and engaged
couples – but make it open to everyone.
53) If your church doesn't have a website yet, why not create
one? More and more people are using the Internet to find what they're
looking for – including places of worship. Make your church one they'll be
able to find! Include current pictures, programs, worship times, etc. Make it
warm and inviting so they'll want to check you out.
12
54) Create a Prayer Hotline. Get volunteers to
pray with people who call in. You can have the hotline
number on "call forward" to anyone's phone. When live
volunteers aren't available, have a recording that
people can listen to that leads them in prayer. Be sure
to change it every day.
55) Have a Shoe Collection Campaign. Some

people only need one shoe or actually wear two different sizes of shoe.
Donate the shoes to hospitals, shelters, or anywhere they might be needed.
56) Create a Congregation Kindness Basket. Put suggestions for acts

of kindness in a basket – one idea per piece of paper. Ask members to select
one of the suggestions as they leave and do whatever it suggests in the
coming week.
57) Organize a Sing-Along at a Senior Center. You won't have a

more appreciative group of singers. Be sure to have lots of children and
teens come and sing camp songs and some of their favorites. Many of them
will be songs the seniors sang when they were youngsters.
58) Have a Simple Dessert Recipe Shower. Everyone cooks a simple

dessert and brings the recipe on a card. Divide the desserts onto platters
and deliver them to a homeless shelter, or homebound members. Have
someone gather the recipe cards and create a Dessert Recipe Booklet and
distribute it to those who participated in the Shower.
59) Have the Youth Group make and

decorate cookies. Deliver them to a
homeless shelter, children's home, or safe
house. The kids will have fun baking and
decorating especially knowing others less
fortunate will benefit from their efforts.
13
60) Have your small group bake goodies and make hot chocolate
(in the winter) or lemonade (in the summer). Give it away to people at
bus or train stops or wherever people are standing in line.
61) Get everyone involved as a Kindness Buddy. Put church members'

names (older children and teens can participate, too) – one per piece of
paper – in a large container. Have each person willing to participate draw a
name and do a secret kindness for that person during the week.
62) Prayer is the most powerful thing we can do for others. Set
up a prayer chain in your church to notify others when someone has a prayer
request. List everyone who wants to be involved and have one person to
receive requests. This person will call two people who in turn call two more
people on down the prayer chain, until everyone has been contacted. Senior
church members who may not be able to volunteer for other activities can
provide prayers and will feel useful and included in church activities.
63) Plant a Church Garden. Everyone in church can

help in some way. Planning the garden, buying seeds or
plants, youth groups can help clear the garden plot.
There is always watering and weeding to be done.
Produce can be donated to needy families in the
church or to a local soup kitchen, homeless shelter
or battered women’s shelter.
64) Plant a garden for the local soup kitchen, homeless shelter or
women’s shelter. A small group of church members can volunteer to teach
these people how to tend the garden themselves. They can learn a new hobby
and maybe heal their hurts while they work among the growing plants. They
will also be contributing to the organization where they found help for their
hurts. What a great way to ‘plant seeds’ and let people know someone cares
for them!
65) Invite community members to a picnic sponsored by your

church. Have a sing-along, feature a group of singers or just have music
playing in the background. Welcome people, deliver a short message and hand
out pamphlets inviting people to your church. Show the community that your
14
church cares about others. You never know who will be touched by your
sincere message of kindness.
66) Gather a small group of people to go shopping for the elderly

or homebound. Many people cannot do their own shopping due to age or
illness. A small group of church members who are willing to serve once a
week in this way can make a positive difference for these people. Weekly
contact will encourage them and give them something to look forward to.
They will be grateful someone cares enough to help!
67) If your church doesn’t have a bus

available, recruit church members with vans
to pick up one or two people and bring
them to church. This could be a great asset to
your ministry and make church available to people
who otherwise might not be able to attend.
68) Create a Pet Ministry, visiting personal homes, nursing homes

or senior centers. Elderly people and people recovering from surgery or
illness will be delighted to spend a little time with a cat or dog. Many times
these people will respond to a visit from a pet more positively than a visit
from a person. Animals know when people are in need of comfort and they
love to be loved too!
69) Sponsor a community-wide Kindness Potluck Dinner or Dance.

Encourage attendees to bring a donation of food or clothing as their "entry
ticket" to give to those in need in your community. This is a fun way to
introduce new people to your church and provide a helpful service at the
same time.
70) Acknowledge and promote kindness.

Decorate a Kindness collection box and keep it in
an accessible place. Keep a notepad and pens close
by. Ask members to write down any kindnesses
they gave or received in the past week so they
can be printed in a newsletter or bulletin, or read aloud during services.
15
71) Create a Gratitude Box. This can be used in the same way as the
Kindness box. Some people may not be comfortable expressing their
gratitude aloud to others and this will encourage them to show their
gratefulness, too. Expressing gratitude brings more things into our lives for
which we can be grateful; an encouraging smile, a phone call, a rain shower, a
thoughtful friend, a rainbow - manifest gratitude for everything. Spread
your gratefulness to others by printing these in a newsletter or reading
aloud during services.
72) Celebrate acts of kindness during a special service or

gathering. Members of the congregation can share their kindness or
inspirational stories from their lives with everyone. Have someone take notes
or use the Kindness or Gratitude Boxes to deposit stories. Compile them into
a short book of inspiration for members as a keepsake or
to share with others.
73) Ask your community to contribute their

kindness or inspirational stories. Compile them in to
a book as above and charge a nominal fee. Donate proceeds
to a charity or to needy families in your community.
74) Have a ‘Bingo for Kindness’ night. Invite the

community to participate. Young adults can hand out pamphlets inviting
attendees to visit your church or listing church events coming up soon. After
an evening of fun and fellowship, donate proceeds to a local worthy cause or
family in need.
75) Begin a ‘Secret Sister’ mission. Hand out a questionnaire to all the
women in the congregation including their birthday,
anniversary, favorite color, hobbies, etc. Then let
each woman draw a name for her ‘Secret Sister’.
Provide a special shelf or area set aside especially
for gifts. Whenever anyone wants to give a gift or
card to her secret sister, they can leave it there.
Hold a banquet or party at the end of the year,
reveal everyone’s sister and draw names for the
coming year.
16
76) Spread a little sunshine to each member. Ask someone to
volunteer to send cards to members on their birthdays, anniversaries, new
births, special occasions, etc. Cards can also be sent to members letting
them know they were missed during an illness or absence. Knowing someone
at church cares and is thinking about them makes a difference.
77) Organize the Youth Group into teams to mow lawns on

certain days for people who need help with this chore. Foster a
spirit of cooperation among the youth by working together to help others.
They can have fun and perform a valuable service to people who are not able
to do this themselves. A special treat for the youth after all the work is
done is sure to be appreciated – maybe a pool or pizza party?
78) Create a Bible Story ‘hotline’ for youngsters to call. This

would be a great activity in which the older Youth can participate. They can
collaborate to write a version of a well-known Bible story, or they can
alternate being the reader of the stories each week. Keep the stories
updated on a regular schedule so young listeners will be encouraged to call in
again!
79) Take time to read Bible stories to kids.

Have a regular Bible Story night at church for
youngsters. They can attend in pajamas and go home
to bed with a wonderful story to remember as they
fall asleep.
80) Create a spirit of friendly competition with other churches

in your area. Start a softball, basketball or volleyball league. It’s lots of
fun and great exercise, plus you can meet great people from other churches.
You may foster a relationship among churches that will lead to new avenues
of fellowship for people of your community!
81) Volunteer to be a Sunday School teacher. If you

love kids and love to teach, put your talents to good use in this
beneficial ministry. You are sure to be rewarded with many
smiles and hugs of appreciation!
17
82) May 5th is National Day of Prayer. Take a moment to say a prayer
for our country and leaders, our troops, your church and pastor, your family
– anything and everyone important to you. Don’t just pray one day a year
though. Take a few minutes each day to give thanks.
83) Organize a twenty four hour prayer watch at your church.

Create a day of uninterrupted prayers by letting members choose a time
they can/will come to church and pray. You can have a specific reason for
prayer, like our country, your church or community, a specific family or
person. If your congregation is large enough, schedule prayer periods in 30
minute segments or shorter. If you can’t fill an entire twenty-four hour
period, shorten it to 6, 10 or 12 hours. The public could also be invited to
participate. A session of uninterrupted prayers can work miracles!
84) Form a volunteer committee to visit nursing homes or senior

centers. Take along recordings of songs that will entertain and bring back
memories like Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman or Mitch
Miller. Let them sing along. Take along a few snacks
and stay to visit - let them know you care.
85) Organize an ice cream social, afternoon

tea or games of bingo. Residents of an assisted
living facility or senior center will appreciate the
change of pace and enjoy your company. Take along
the music mentioned above to play in the background
for this occasion too.
86) Form a church youth group to regularly visit a local youth

home. Organize outdoor games like softball or volleyball, or just visit over
board or video games. Treats like root beer floats or make-your-own sundaes
will help break the ice between residents and church youth.
87) Sponsor a child’s attendance at summer Bible

camp. Raise funds or take contributions for a general camp
fund. The funds can be used anonymously or for a specific
child who would not be able to attend camp otherwise. Or
donate the money to a specific summer camp for them to
award to less fortunate children.
18
88) Make a list of volunteers willing to prepare and deliver meals.
Sometimes we all need a little help -- provide a meal for people who have lost
a loved one, had a new baby, are ill or have had surgery. This is just a nice
way to let them know you care about them.
89) Make another list of volunteers willing to clean house. The

people mentioned above can often use help with house cleaning too. Three or
four people make lighter work and you can have a good time while helping
others. Think how grateful you would feel if you needed someone to do this
for you.
90) Organize a group of congregation members to

provide hugs and conversation. Senior citizens living
alone often miss having a connection with other people.
Go to them, help them shop, do paperwork, or pay bills
for them.
91) Create a welcome committee for new

people visiting your church. Make sure they know
they are welcome, encourage them to come back, offer a church pamphlet or
brochure to them. And don't forget to have a greeter in the parking lot –
this is the first opportunity you have to make a visitor feel welcome!
92) Don’t just welcome visitors – have a committee of people take

turns at the doors greeting everyone who comes to services. Make everyone
feel welcome!
93) Gather church members together the first Saturday of each

month. Why? To participate in Together We Can Change
the World Day. Find a local project in progress, use one or
more of these 101 ideas, or invite others in your
community to join your project. Visit:
www.TogetherWeCanChangeTheWorldDay.com. Join
people around the world and BE the Difference in your
community every month.
19
94) Start a Church Library. Ask members for any Christian
books they would donate, or have a fundraiser to buy books. Set up a
few shelves in a room and let everyone have access to them.
Or put a wide selection on moveable carts and have them
available during Fellowship Time.
95) Read and record Sunday School lessons for

visually impaired members. All is takes is a recorder, a few tapes and
time to read the lesson. These people probably miss being able to study their
weekly lessons and this will help them feel reconnected to church again.
96) Learn Sign Language to communicate with

hearing impaired members. ‘Sign’ the sermon and songs
so these members feel included too. It’s beautiful to watch
this mode of communication during church services.
97) Have a campout or day camp for the Youth and

their parents too! Sing songs, roast hot dogs and marshmallows, tell Bible
stories. Camp in someone’s field, a nearby park, or near the water so
everyone can go fishing. Everyone who attends can bring an item to donate to
a charity or needy family. Make it a special time for kids who haven’t
experienced the great outdoors. Remember to take flashlights and bug
spray!
98) Organize a small prayer group meeting each week. Meet in a

restaurant, in someone’s home, in a park, etc. Enjoy the fellowship and pray
for all concerns, spoken and unspoken. Have it early in the week to start your
week off right.
99) Start a Mechanics or Car Care Ministry.

Organize those who can repair cars, change oil, etc.
once a month to provide this ministry to members
of your church. One person needs to be the
contact and do the scheduling. The member brings
the parts and the Ministry team provides free
labor.
20
100) Organize Neighborhood Prayer Groups. Do you have others in
the neighborhood who pray? Why not gather once a week, every other week,
or once a month and pray for your kids and neighbors.
101) Go Trick Or Treating for Canned Food. Take the church kids
out Trick or Treating on the Sunday prior to Halloween. They can dress up in
"G" rated costumes if they want. Have them trick or treat for canned food
items for your church's food pantry or the local Rescue Mission.
BONUS IDEAS:
101) Organize a Community Fair. Invite

local organizations and ministries your church
supports to set up booths to share about their
ministries. You can also invite the Red Cross and
other community-based groups to participate.
Provide fun and food booths as well. If you
offer hot food (hotdogs, etc.) be sure to get the
appropriate permits from the Health
Department.
102) Organize a Parking Lot Revival. Turn your parking lot into an old
fashioned "tent meeting revival." But modernize it with Christian bands and
music, personal testimonies and short Christian messages. Have plenty of
handouts about your church, how to become a Christian, etc. And be sure to
provide the opportunity for those who want to make a confession of faith.
103) Provide a Christian Movie Night at your church.

Offer a free movie night at your church. Be sure to get
legal permission to show the movie to the public. Invite
church members and the neighborhood at large. You
can offer popcorn, licorice and sodas for a donation –
be sure to state what the money will be used for. Have
plenty of church brochures available as well as tracts on
how to become a Christian. Make sure your church's
information is on the tracts.
21
104) Write Your Own Devotional Booklet. Ask members of the church
to write a short devotional. Choose a theme (Lent, Knowing Jesus, Advent,
How/Why I Pray, etc.) and ask each contributor to include a scripture verse
and a 1-2 sentence prayer in addition to their message. Create the booklet
and provide it for church members' use. Your church members will
appreciate the devotionals much more than those written by strangers.
105) Have a Recognition Sunday or Dinner

for Behind-the-Scenes Workers. Have a
special recognition in worship or provide a special
dinner for those who work behind-the-scenes at
your church or in ministries your church supports.
Recognize custodians, gardeners, office workers,
church librarians, audio/video technicians, van/bus
drivers, musicians, etc. These people work hard and rarely receive the
thanks they deserve.
106) Have a Faith Walk. Set up different Stations around your church
that engage the participant in a short time of reflection on a Theme of your
choice. Use a different method at each Station: look up a Scripture verse
and write a response, work a simple crossword puzzle, do a word search,
listen to a specific piece of music, take Communion, etc.
(See our exclusive offers on the next page.)
22
Regardless of your political persuasion, the Memorial Day movie will give you
a new appreciation for those who have given their all for us. Visit:
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23
101 WAYS
YOUR SCHOOL CAN
CHANGE THE WORLD
The ability to change the World is in

YOUR hands!
(Revised June 2007)
Written by
Gene Bell
_________________________
For
Copyright 2005
Note from the Author:
After 40+ years in education as a teacher and administrator, I have a

passion for involving our schools in being an active force to change the world.
Many of the ideas involve community action – the first step we can all take in
changing our world. Teaching our students to have caring hearts will expand
to the rest of the world.
I have filled this book with ideas that, combined with a little brainstorming
and out of the box thinking, could be easily accomplished by individual staff
and student members, teams, and school organizations. Many can be used as
classroom projects. They can be taken on by teachers, school administrators
and school board members. There are ideas here for every grade level.
Peruse the ideas, narrow the choices find one that fits and begin the
journey toward changing the world. Combining the passion of millions of
students with the committed adults who work with them will create a force
to be reckoned with!
This book is my gift to you because I want to empower you to BE

the Difference in Your World Today!
For more free E-books, as well as Free E-cards, prints,

etc. please go to
For my final gift to you go to: The

TogetherWeCanChangeTheWorldSong.com
2
&
_____________________________
E-Cards
Prints & Posters
_____________________________
3

the world.

person.

caring in my world.
EVERYDAY!

CHANGE!
4
101 Ways Your School Can Change the World!
1. Connect the classroom and the community. Create a youth council to

work with community leaders to explore issues and make
recommendations for change. Students will be thrilled to have a
voice, and the community needs the benefit of their perspective.
2. Conduct a bike safety rodeo. Have a student group

contact the local law enforcement agency to help
organization a bike safety rodeo. Plan jointly with
law enforcement, medical personnel. Create an

obstacle course and address safety issues
including riding instructions and safety helmets.
Maybe give free safety helmets to attendees, as
well as exploring other freebies that are available. Ask the law
enforcement agencies what they can provide.
3. Invite the residents to participate in a community auction as a fund

raising activity and donate proceeds (or a portion of) to a special
community, or global, project.
4. Involve the school and community in block parties, section parties, or

park parties around themes. Some
ideas: Earth Day; connecting youth and
elders; environmental issues, etc. All
of these can be collaborative projects
to enjoin school and community. Older
students can be given full responsibility
for the project – promoting leadership skills at the same time they
are creating change.
5. Develop an outdoor nature laboratory working with the Nature

Conservancy, Department of Natural Resources and local officials for
school and community use.
5
6. Support the needy. Work jointly with Social Service agencies and
churches in the community to coordinate collection and distribution of
goods to needy families in the community. Explore the issues of
homelessness, hunger and poverty. Brainstorm ways to continue the
support effort all year rather than just a seasonal activity. People
aren’t just hungry at Christmas and Thanksgiving.
7. Reach out to individuals or

organizations in need of help. Assign
someone to scan local newspapers, and
listen to the radio and television for
individuals and or organizations that
have a specific need. Extend an offer
to help meet that need.
Let groups of students identify the needs they have a special desire
to help with. Giving them ownership will increase their commitment.
8. Let students explore real life history. Develop a survey tool for
specific age groups within the community. Do personal interviews with
all groups. Analyze the data, do a time line and see the community
progression from then until now. A great way to connection the school
and community.
Take this one step further and assign an art project that creates a
“community mural” that everyone can enjoy and learn from.
9. In keeping with the Real Life History theme... Do the same activity as
above, but target specific actions: The Great
Depression, World War II, Korean War, Desert
Storm, Information Age and the list goes on and on…
Want to take this a step further? Create a community fair

that showcases community members from each era. Put up
booths. Let them share their stories. Make those eras come to life
for everyone.
6
10. Genealogy is another great school and community activity. Find out
who is related to whom, where they came from, why they settled in
this community and how the family made a difference in the
community then and now.
You could expand the impact of this by

asking the local newspaper to share what
they discover in a series of articles
profiling members of the community. Your
school can change your community just my
making people feel remembered and special!
There are people who talk. There are people who choose to
act. The actions of passionate people will change the
world. BE the Difference in your world today!
11. Create a PenPal or ePal club with community members and senior
citizen centers. Another way to gather information on community
issues and community history covering different generations.
This is also a great way to give the elderly members of your
community a way to stay connected and not feel isolated and lonely.
12. Offer to join with community officials

and participate in fall and spring clean
up activities centering on safety,
health and environmental issues.
Develop brochures, leaflets, cards
with safety tips to distribute
throughout the community on cleanup
day.
13. Back to the Pen Pal idea… Let students develop PenPal
or ePal relationships with other students all over the
world. Set up an ePal relationship with a school in
7
another country – giving them a look into how other people live.
14. Determine with school administrators, school boards and community

officials what projects you might do for the community free of
charge. Let the students meet with them. Then let the classes or
groups decide what they want to adopt as their projects.
15. Partner with business and industry officials. Invite

officials to the classroom, or student organizations,
or student body to share their business opportunity
in the community but more importantly what they
as prospective employers expect from their
employees and why.
Help them to make their presentation fun and

exciting. Too many times these presentations are
boring. They certainly don’t have to be. Pull the students into
planning this. They know what will connect with their fellow students.
16. Work with school and community leaders to develop a

school/community calendar highlighting joint activities. I.e.: Earth
Day, Days Against Violence, Prom Activities, Red Ribbon Week, and
Neighborhood Policing etc. Work jointly to execute these planned
activities.
17. Host a craft market/workshop. Invite the school community and

residents to display their wares at a craft
show. Ask participants to explain the why
and the how they do what they do. At the
end of the day, auction or sell products
with proceeds going to a special cause.
18. Offer mini courses based on the interest in the different crafters
from the above activity. These courses will, of course, be offered to
students but you can also offer them to adults – providing a course
fee to compensate the artists for their time. If you do that they will
probably be happy to do the courses for students at no charge.
8
19. Do a car wash, bake sale, pizza sale or any other standard fundraiser -
donate proceeds to an individual in need in the school or community.
20. Students plan and execute a school carnival as a fund raiser for the
school.
Try what you may – you will never outgive the Universe.
The gifts you give come pouring
back in wild abundance!
21. Celebrate the diverse groups within the school community by having a
Cultural Awareness Week. Have each group explore their history and
social connections, then document their findings. Have everyone
discuss how school and the community can be of more
inviting to these groups. How can assistance be
provided if needed. Put in to place a plan of
action.
During Cultural Awareness Week have each

group have a display in a common area. Let
them share presentations, stories, etc. This is a
great way to open student’s eyes to diversity. Just make sure you
don’t leave ANY group out – even if they are someone you don’t
necessarily agree with!
22. Assist with developing a public space. Notice vacant lots, weedy
parks, or ponds within the city limits.
Work with officials and develop a plan of
action to improve facilities.
23. In the school setting, work with school

officials in upgrading and or planning a new
playground area, outdoor lab grounds,
landscaping, and facility improvement. Give
students ownership and it will greatly
9
increase their appreciation and respect for their school.
24. Develop a mentoring program of students, and for students, using
older students as models for younger students. You can also use
adults in the community to mentor students in any age group. This is a
terrific way to involve students and mentors in learning activities.
25. Involve high school clubs/organizations in

mentoring elementary school age youth and
club activities.
26. Invite classrooms and organizations within the school to help sponsor
fall and spring cleanup days for all citizens with special emphasis on
the elderly.
27. Invite students and personnel to volunteer to

help community members develop and
maintain small garden plots. This idea could
be expanded to help provide fresh produce
for Food Pantries in your town.
28. Web site promotion. Link your school’s

website to the community website. If
neither has one, put the wheels in motion to
develop one. Do the research to show why
and how this would be important to the school
and community. You might also show ways of
gaining access to the website and ideas on
how patrons could obtain computers for home
use. As we move forward in the computer age, it is important for
schools to be an active part in opening this door to all ages.
29. Search for a business leader or industry leader that would mentor and
work with an elementary school to establish a business within the
elementary school. Organize it such a way that all students are
involved - having responsibility to show ownership in the business. I.e.:
popcorn business, candy business, flea market. A great learning
experience for the students and a way to generate income for special
projects within the school.
10
30. Adopt a local cemetery. This is a great place to visit and gather
community history, gather information on a genealogy project, and
learn about the care and maintenance associated with a community
cemetery.
When the day comes to an end we must all ask ourselves

what we did to make a difference. We must realize it’s
not what we do once in a while –
it’s what we do day in and day out
that will profoundly
impact our communities and the world.
31. Conduct a citizenship survey for students and adults. Review findings
and develop a guide and plan of action for positive role modeling.
Providing awareness is often the first step to change.
32. Energy savings. Conduct a survey on energy use by schools and

community residents. Analyze the findings
and distribute information on ways to
conserve energy. Target a specific
business, school or residence. Develop
before and after charts to see if in fact
the suggestions offered made a difference
in energy savings.
33. Conduct a job/career fair for students. You could also invite adults –
many who are also exploring options. This would be a great way to
connect all interested people, as well as showing students that change
can happen at any time in life.
34. Participate in and/or assist with a variety of community walk-a-thons,

hog roasts, etc., and deepen the relationship between school and
community.
11
35. Do a video documentary. Determine subject, the
timelines, age of participants, subject, event(s).
There is virtually no limit to what students will
be interested in creating a documentary on.
Distribute documentary to libraries, historical
society, whomever. You may also want to have
special viewings for students, families, etc.
What about a documentary festival – with awards going to the top
documentaries.
36. Taking the video documentary a little further… Have a “documentary

contest” about needs in your community. The project will be about
creating awareness of your community – inspiring students to want to
help to make a difference. Invite the community to the awards
ceremony – having booths available about how people can become
involved to make a difference.
37. Students develop a Walking Tour Guide. Make a map and develop a
layout of their neighborhood for the school community or local
community. Highlight points of
interest. Make the guide available
to patrons and new comers to the
community. If your school
district has a “Walking School
Bus” plan the Tour Guide would be
a good place to insert the rules to
participate, as well as advantages
of the Walking School Bus and routes taken to school.
38. Students establish and run a store. Ask the school community to
donate items to sell in the store. Determine their value, then market
and sell. Proceeds from the sale could be donated to a worthy cause.
This could be done in conjunction with carnivals, awareness days, etc.
39. Develop an outdoor garden as a separate

project or as an extension of the classroom
with idea of giving vegetables, produce,
12
flowers to those in need. Outline and delegate responsibilities for
ground preparation, seed purchase, laboring in the garden, procedures
for determining who gets the product from the garden and how
distribution will take place.
40. Write letters of appreciation to those serving

our country in some capacity. These can
either be “snail mail” or email. A mixture of
the two would be great – assuring the joy of
receiving mail.
Those who change their communities and the world

are those who are determined to act,
are joyful in action, and are assured of
being able to change things with their own efforts.
41. An extension of this would be to have students write the families of

“fallen heroes” – assuring the families that people all over the country
are appreciative of the sacrifice their sons and daughters have made.
42. Develop a recycling plan for school and/or community. Ask the waste
treatment officials to assist you in setting up a workable plan. In
school maybe you decide to recycle
paper. You will need to determine the
kinds of bins necessary for different
kinds of paper. Determine the value in
recycling paper. You might want to
collect plastic and or aluminum cans.
This will demonstrate the value of recycling. It will also show cause
and effect, savings and in some cases what to do with revenue
generated from recycling.
43. Set up student interns with a local business. Offer to work with an
outside business or industry which will devote personal and staff time
13
to a student based project that will have a positive effect on the
community: soil and water project, landscaping project, wetlands,
parks and recreation, etc.
44. Establish an alumni association structured in a

way that maintains a regular connection to
school, community and alumni association. The
advent of the computer and email makes this
relatively easy to set up and maintain. Gathering
the emails is the most labor intensive part, but a
simple postcard to all your alumni can collect
that information easily. The value is
immeasurable.
45. School officials join with officials from city government to produce a
joint newsletter as a primary source of news for the schools and
residents of the community.
46. Utilize newspapers and other media to inform the

public on school activities in the community.
Setup a contact between the agencies. Find out
exactly what they want and how they need
material prepared to use in each agency.
47. Take advantage of citizen & student resources. Create a resource

bureau of volunteer service providers, and then develop a list of
needs. Extend an invitation for help with those needs to the
community. Qualify volunteers who offer services, then inform
agencies that service providers are available. They will be SO
grateful!
48. Develop structured parental involvement in as many

areas of your school as possible. A good way to
handle this is to create a student, parent, or
teacher document outlining expectations of each
participant - call it a learning contract.
14
49. Create a citizenship plan focusing on an improved school atmosphere
reducing violence in schools. Make sure students are the ones that
create the plan. It is the only way for them to claim ownership of it.
You will also find that if they were the ones to create it they will
more adamantly enforce it – using peer pressure in a positive way.
50. Host an annual book fair. Do more that just

offer books. Sponsor storytelling, author
talks or signings, literature reading, poems,
etc. Ask residents to offer their expertise in
these areas. Provide both browsing time and a
structured program.
Great possessions and great rewards only possess

meaning if they are used to do great things. True joy
comes from the ability to give – the willingness to make
a difference.
51. Sponsor a “Give back to Community” day. Work with local chamber of
commerce and/or town councils to
develop activities that students,
families and community members can
do to give back. Then create teams
that are comprised of every age group.
They’ll have a blast working together
and develop a much greater appreciation.
52. Adopt-A-School program. Research and match local business or

industry with schools - then determine how each can assist the other
throughout the school year.
15
53. Ask the PTO or other booster representative to serve on the
Chamber of Commerce as a liaison between business and schools. It
would also be great to have a student representative – gaining their
perspective AND giving them a close view into the business
community.
54. Encourage senior citizens to volunteer for

projects and programs within the schools. Create
a list of needs and conduct an Open House at a
senior citizen center. Explain how they can help;
storytelling, listen to groups read, read stories,
tutor… The list goes on and on.
55. Appoint someone to be liaison between school and

media. Make sure the media has all the “success
stories” that happen daily in the schools. There is
to much focus on the bad things youth do – let’s
put the focus on the great things they do!
56. Create a “Wall of Fame”. Work through the alumni association and
community leaders to establish criteria for the wall. Recognize those
in the school community who have gone beyond the norm in making a
positive contribution to the community. This can be a tribute both to
students, and the adults making a difference in the school.
57. Develop a card or flyer with tips on how parents can foster their
child’s success in school and ask local employers about including the
cards with employee paychecks. These could also be put in break
rooms, etc.
58. Establish a back-to-school rally to set the tone for a positive school
year. Invite community members to participate. Maybe send
invitations with RSVP and plan a rally dinner. A welcome back to a new
school with school students, school officials and community
participating demonstrates a desire to work together for a positive
school year.
16
59. Take your school to the community.
School districts can make it easier for
Take your school
parents to get involved by taking
to the community
reports on meetings and events to
them. For whatever reason some
parents can not get to school or won’t
get to school. Set up a block party and
have a representative from the school
present to share happenings at the school and gather input from those
in attendance. Keep it informal but maybe add some refreshment.
60. Mentoring works well for students of all ages and

for adults as well… Brainstorm on how mentors
can be utilized to assist parents, students and
teachers in the schools. Establish a parent
resource center filled with ideas and activities.
Mentors working with students, parents and
teachers may be the conduit needed to nurture
and reinforce a positive school environment.
Those who are interested take action when

circumstances permit. The truly committed
accept no excuses – only results!
61. Hold a “Burger Flip Recruitment Party”. Have

a back-to-school barbecue Saturday before
school starts. Invite parents and community
members to participate and ask them to
commit to being a partner for students who
need help during the school year.
62. Enlist a force of “Security Dads”. Ask fathers to provide a visible

male presence to school sponsored events: dances, skating parties,
17
spelling bees, math contests, etc. Father presence at school activities
helps ensure proper behavior and keep the peace.
63. Team up for Technology. Develop computer lab access for families
that have no computers at home by having supervised evening
computer hours at the school, the community
library, the town hall, and any applicable
government building. Think outside the box
on how to help develop the home – school
connection.
One great way is to have students who will act as “computer teachers”
during those times. They will be there to answer questions, help with
Internet searching, teach how to send email, etc.
64. Survey the community for living resources. Search for hidden talent
from members of the community that you can
use in the classroom. Examples might be
something in the arts and crafts area, maybe
in gourmet cooking, or something in the
agriculture or science area. Develop a survey to find the
talent that exists and then produce a booklet with
contact information and areas of expertise. Make them
available to schools and other organizations and agencies
in the community to take advantage of the living
resource. It will provide great benefits, as well as making people feel
appreciated and needed.
65. Help create a local education foundation. Determine the purpose. Set
up guidelines for participation. Determine how funds will be raised
and distributed.
66. Want to work on integrity, respect, honesty and trustworthiness?

Create a young person’s guide to being a good citizen for your school
and /or school community. Just make sure the kids are involved in
creating it. It will have much more impact.
67. Create and design a mural for your community.

Explore the history of your community and develop the
18
mural according. This is a great way to partner with local businesses
whose walls will hold the mural. This could become an ongoing project
with different classes creating different murals to highlight all parts
of their community; showcase different time periods; etc.
Once a year hold “Mural Walk” that will end with a celebration of
community at the school.
This is also a great way to enlist the help of local artists who can team
up with the students to create them – providing a mentor relationship.
68. Involve students by giving them a way to be a part of Government in

Action. Contact local government officials and offer assistance with
voter registration, discover the issues and work the polls. Make sure
students are able to identify and be involved with the issues they
believe in and support.
69. Book promotion activity. Host a book sale

or book exchange in your community as a
promotion for reading, literacy or a
fundraiser.
70. Turn service learning into a real life experience. Working with a
marketing class, artists create promotion promotional brochures,
displays, videos, photo journal, etc, for a non-profit agency. They will
be able to see their efforts make a difference in their community.
One small act of giving can produce a ripple

effect that will spread throughout the world!
71. Connect generations and experiences. Have students visit nursing

homes, rehabs, veterans hospitals, etc. to collect and document what
life was like during major recent historical periods. Their reports can
be written, photographed, and videoed.
19
72. How diverse is your school/community? Develop and publish a local
cultural journal that reports on the unique aspects of the school
community.
73. Help teach students the value of

volunteering by having them find, then
interview volunteers - learning the
rewards of giving back. Make sure they
document it – perhaps creating posters
to extol the benefits of volunteering.
Then, develop a list of projects, set a goal, outline a plan of action and
go to work. Examples may be: sorting books at the library; raising
$1,000.00 for a worthy cause; playing bingo with residents in a local
rest home; refurbishing toys for Christmas; gathering food for the
local food bank, etc. Let your heart and your head direct you toward
success.
74. Use the holidays to help families but “extend the giving”. Keep food
bins in your room to collect food for 2 families. Once every couple
weeks take the food to the families. If families are hungry at the
holidays, they are going to be hungry year round. The students’
ongoing giving can make a huge difference.
75. Make the transition from elementary to

middle school to high school less scary?
Dispel those ugly rumors by creating Kids to
Kids videos that addresses the very special
questions and fears that kids have about
moving from school to school. These are a
great way to reduce those fears and
anxieties.
76. Work with the local social service agency to determine the needs of
the hungry and homeless. Offer to help with serving meals, gather
clothing, collect food for the food bank, plant a garden, tend it and
give the vegetables to the food bank. Also make sure you listen to the
needs. Then create a plan to meet THOSE special needs.
20
77. Adopt a “grandfriend.” Visit a nursing home, rake leaves, shovel snow,
clean gutter, wash windows for
senior citizens, write letters to
senior citizens, take them for a walk,
deliver meals to home bound
individuals, or whatever else you can
come up with. Ask them what they
need, then fulfill those needs.
Students and “grandfriends” alike will enjoy and benefit from the
experience.
78. Help your students discover what an

entrepreneur is. Do they have a particular
interest in the business world? Research
the particulars, then work with local
business/industry partners to help set up
their own business. This is a great way for
students to understand how reading, writing,
communication, technology and math skills, combined with cooperative
learning and problem solving techniques (school curriculum, surprise)
move their business forward. Get the connection?
79. Host a Boo-Hoo Breakfast. Parents – especially parents of

kindergartners - can have a difficult time letting
go of students on the first day of school. Help
them cut those apron strings by a special opening-
day event. Greet them with a continental
breakfast, kleenex and a welcome committee from
PTO. Share with them new and upcoming events
so they become part of the school family.
80. Create a program to stop violence in your school.

Organizations within the school develop early Childhood Learning
packets for Primary grads about bullying and teasing. Then they
present lessons and accompanying activities.
21
Success comes not from better abilities or ideas –
it comes from the courage to believe in your ideas,
to take a risk and to act.
81. Develop a curriculum for K-12 that will address

school violence. Get the students involved. Let them
share their stories and offer suggestions to keep it
from happening. They will often have the best
insights and answers.
82. Go online to www.ysa.org and learn about National

Youth Service Day. Complete the application and study the guidelines.
Then join with others students across the county and serve your
community by giving back. Enter the competition and become
Nationally Recognized for your efforts.
83. Students who like being outdoors will love the Touch America Project.
This program is designed for
youth ages 14-17. They can
volunteer and learn more about
America’s natural resources.
“Touch America” refers to
volunteer projects on public
lands developed cooperatively with private organizations, group or
individuals. Encourage outdoor oriented students to learn more about
wildlife and natural resources by checking out this and other programs
offered through the National Forest Service.
84. Any students who get involved can bring back their newfound
knowledge and share their experiences with peers and organizations
within your community. They gain recognition and have the
opportunity to get others involved.
85. The Youth Conservation Corps.

www.thesca.org/con_corps.cfm. This is a great program
22
for youth ages 15-18 who work, learn and earn together on projects
that further the development and conservation of the natural
resources of the United States. This program is sponsored through
the National Park Service. Conservation
work may involve constructing trails,
campground facilities and fences, planting
trees, collecting litter, clearing
streams, improving wildlife habitat,
providing information to visitors and general maintenance activities.
Students return with the knowledge of a job well done that makes a
difference in our country, as well as knowledge of our environment and
the management of our natural resources.
86. If you have students interested in archeology have them contact the
U.S. Forest service and find out the requirements to participate in
this program with professional archaeologist and historians on historic
preservation projects. www.fs.fed.us
87. Plan a Fine Arts evening. Determine a theme.

Showcase student art work. Invite local artists to
participate. Have various musical groups
participate and again, invite local performance
groups as well.
88. Send an E-card each day. Recognize a volunteer, mentor, teacher,

mom and dad, thanking them for their service and what they do for
you. Check out the cards available at
www.togetherwecanchangetheworld.com website.
89. Have a Special Scavenger Hunt. Organize a

scavenger hunt for specific items for different
organizations. Crisis Center for women and children
could use toys, old cell phones, paper goods, clothes.
Collect eyeglasses for the Lions Club. Pet food for
the Humane Society. And the list goes on and on.
Have prizes for the winning team and you’ll have great involvement!
23
90. Wired? Brainstorm ideas on how to
make computers available for the
needy and the elderly. Connect with
businesses who are upgrading and
getting rid of older computers
perfect for this group. Then connect
the recipients with students who can
teach them computer skills.
You are the architect of your destiny. The choices you

make today will determine the rest of your life.
91. Have your school become a Donor Center. Team up with the American
Red Cross and have your school become a donor center. You provide
the snacks and necessary items for those that donate blood to the
Red Cross.
92. Establish a youth council to work with school and local health
departments on alcohol, tobacco and other drug issues in the school
community. Have them create a plan of action. Mothers Against
Drunk Driving can provide valuable resources. www.madd.org
93. Team up with the local historical society and help do what it takes to
restore a local historical site.
94. Recycle toys. Find interested students

and patrons who will assist in repairing
and refurbishing toys. Ask the community
to donate toys for the needy or various
shelters.
95. Do you have people interested in Quilting? Team up with the local
quilting group. Design, cut and sew pieces for the quilt. Sell the
finished product for a particular cause at a community auction.
24
This is a great way to join generations. You can also have adults work
with students to create a special “Student Quilt” that can be raffled
for a worthy cause.
96. Enlist students for Child Care

Services. Provide free child
care services for those
attending PTO meetings,
booster meetings, concerts,
and other community events.
97. Pictures speak louder than words. Take pictures and videos of various
school and/or community activities. Develop a bulletin board of
picture activities. Share the videos in small group settings.
98. Get students involved in protecting our natural resources. Do a letter-

writing campaign to encourage and support efforts to clean up the
environment. Write to businesses and
manufacturers to thank them for specific things
they’ve done to reduce pollution, waste, and litter,
and to offer suggestions for further efforts.
Write government officials about student views
related to environmental issues and legislation.
99. Invite those who have made a difference in

the life of your school to a celebration and
appreciation program. Treat them to an
outdoor barbecue and fun entertainment.
Make this an annual event. Collect

photographs through the year (digital is
the easiest) and create a presentation at
the end of the program – flashing up the
pictures with great music in the
background. Get as many different people
in the pictures as possible – striving to make sure everyone is
highlighted.
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100. High School Age individuals/organizations team with “At Risk”
Elementary Children. Create a mentoring partnership with older
students (mentors) to work with
elementary school aged youth
(mentees). Students spend lunch
hours tutoring, listening, talking
and playing with at risk students.
If schools are close, find a time
and place to do this everyday.
101. Make a difference in your everyday shopping and get your own online
Mall. OR create EVEN GREATER income for your favorite cause (and
yourself) by getting malls for both of you. Contact the person who
gave you this e-book. If there is no one, visit: www.MyPowerMall.com
for more information.
When it‘s all over, it’s not who you were that
matters – it’s whether your life made a
difference. The choice is yours to make every
day of your life!
What will your choice be today?
See our specials gifts on the next page. . .
26
&
_____________________________
E-Cards
Prints & Posters
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27

the world.

person.

caring in my world.
EVERYDAY!

CHANGE!
28
101 Ways Youth
By Sandi Valentine

Together We Can Change the World Publishing
Copyright © 2007
From the Author:
A survey of 1,238 youth in grades 7-12 identified these as their top 10 concerns:
drunk driving, depression and suicide, guns at school, improving schools/education,
discrimination, violence in school, drugs, self-esteem, AIDS, and abuse at home.1
67% of you plan to get involved during the next year with the issue that's important to
you, 8 out of 10 of you believe youth can create positive change in your communities,
7 in 10 believe you can personally make a positive change in your community, and
more than 6 out of 10 of you believe people your age have good ideas about how to
help the community. And I absolutely agree!
Another survey found that 73 percent of 13- to 15-year-old students believe that
people their age can make a difference in the political decisions of their elected
officials. Parents and teachers ranked the highest as people who influence their
knowledge and interest in politics. The media was next, followed by the Internet and
friends.2
I worked with young people most of my adult life and know first hand how powerful
you are to effect change when you want it.
I've scoured the Internet looking for what youth are already doing to make a difference
in their communities and around the world. This little book has been written to give
you some of those ideas. It's my hope that you will look through this book and choose
and/or adapt one or more of these ideas for you and your friends to take on in your
own community. If nothing here gets you excited, I hope that at least these ideas will
get your own "creative juices flowing" and you'll come up with your own project(s).
You are powerful and you can make a difference.
I believe in you, and so do my friends at Together We Can Change The World, Inc.!
Sandi
2
&
_____________________________
E-Cards
Prints & Posters
_____________________________
3

the world.

person.

caring in my world.
EVERYDAY!

CHANGE!
4
101 Ways Youth Can Change the World
1) Get involved in the democratic process – and get your friends involved,
too! Make your voice heard! You can make a difference, no matter your age.
Encourage your schools, clubs or parents to help you use the Constitutional
Rights Foundation's extensive online library3. In their Tools
and Techniques section (www.crf-
usa.org/act/ACTS_ch6.htm) you have a wealth of
information on everything from the "Basics of Persuasion"
to "Speaking in Public" to "Creating Leaflets, Fliers, and
Handouts" to "Writing Letters" to "Letters to the Editor,"
"Letters to Officials," Letter-Writing Campaigns,"
"Petitioning," "Lobbying," Creating News Releases," and
much, much more! The earlier chapters of information
include gathering statistics about your community and how
to understand and use them to make a difference in your community. Use the
power of your voice to influence legislation that directly affects your
life.
2) Are you involved in a club? Encourage the club members to choose a

project that will make a difference in your community or someone's life. For
instance, a Robotics Club designed a special device that enabled a kid stuck in a
wheel chair and unable to use his arms, to "throw" balls so he could play fetch
with his dog.
3) Help at a food bank or food pantry in your town. There are a lot of
people who need a hot meal or some groceries and you probably have several
organizations in your community who provide meals or
groceries to folks who need them. Look in your telephone
book, or ask a teacher or your religious leader for
suggestions. Volunteer with some friends (or your club or
youth group) and give a couple hours dishing out food or
clearing tables. Help bag groceries, or carry them to the
cars. Be sure to smile and talk with the people. They all
have the same desires and needs that you do. You just
might make a friend or two!
4) Provide free babysitting. Sometimes adults have to take their kids with
them to places to talk business because they can't afford a babysitter. Be
creative and ask around – maybe a group of your friends or your club or youth
group could offer free babysitting while parents have meetings with teachers.
Perhaps a low-cost counseling center could use someone to watch their clients'
5
kids. Maybe a group of your parents' friends would like to go to a movie or out
to dinner.
5) Be a mentor. Older teens can contact Big Brothers Big

Sisters, YMCA, or the local elementary schools to find out
about mentoring. Meetings can happen at school: in the
classroom, school library, school computer room, or other
set location. School-based mentoring is not a tutoring
program. It's just being a friend to a kid who needs one.
Statistics show4 that kids who are mentored one-on-one in
a school setting:
● 58% improved their school performance
● 65% showed higher levels of self-confidence
● 55% had a better attitude toward school
6) Start a program to help families in your school, club or community.

If you don't know of someone, call a community center, church, emergency
shelter, etc. and ask if they know of a family who needs help. Get a list of the
most needed items. Then gather up those items either in homes or ask friends
or family members to donate them. If you need to purchase items, have a car
wash or other fundraiser. If you have a job that results in tips, donate your
tips. Once you get started, you might be able to add more families to your list.
7) Do you like music or drama? Why not volunteer at a local elementary

school, YMCA or community center, and put on skits or mini-musicals? You
could either enlist other teens and perform them for the kids, or better yet, cast
the kids in the roles and work with them throughout the year. When they're
ready to perform, arrange for a performance in the school auditorium (at the 'Y'
or community center). Invite the other classes and parents (and
grandparents!). You may foster future artists by "just having fun."
The life given us by nature is short,

but the memory of a life
well spent is eternal. ~Cicero
8) Has your community been touched by the war? Sponsor a "We

Remember" evening at a public meeting place (could even be a park in good
weather). Ask people to bring candles and matches for the end of the evening.
6
Invite people to speak: mayor, principal, city officials, families of those serving
in the military. Find people who can sing and either have them sing a solo or in
groups. You might even have them lead the singing for some well known songs.
In such an emotional atmosphere, it's probably best to only allow those you've
contacted before hand to speak. You might ask someone who writes poetry to
write something just for the occasion and have him/her recite it. You can end
the time together by having everyone light their candles and observe 2-3
minutes of silence.
9) Do you like to read? Volunteer at a school or public

library to read aloud to children. If the atmosphere lends
itself, encourage the children (depending on the number
you're reading to) or a few children to act out what you're
reading. Use lots of inflection and drama in your reading. Kids
just love it! If you have a friend who's an artist, invite
him/her to come along and illustrate the story up on an
easel while you're reading.
10) Get a group of your friends together and help at a Habitat For
Humanity building project. Sometimes you can help demolish walls, and
other times you get to help build them. There's a project for everyone no
matter what skills you do, or don't have! Go to their website to find a local
project in your area (www.habitat.org/cd/local). You'll have a whole lot of fun,
maybe learn some new skills, and make some new friends -- all while you're
helping someone who couldn't otherwise afford to have a home of their own.
11) Provide some cheer to sick kids. Do you have a hospital

nearby? Maybe even a dialysis center? Often these rooms are
a little drab and could use some cheering up! Contact the
Pediatrics ward, Oncology (cancer) ward, labs, dialysis
center and tell them you'd like to help cheer up their rooms.
You can provide cheerful, colorful artwork, DVD movies (you
may also need to provide a DVD player), and little care
packages. Kids (and probably adults, too) really like the
sour Skittles to help with the nasty taste of chemotherapy.
12) Start a website for teens by teens. Offer information and support for
teens. Ask a local community service, or even your school, to host it for you.
Provide a Chat Room but have an adult sponsor nearby during Chat Room
hours to help with questions you can't handle. Have a list of community
services you can offer as referrals to kids in trouble. Post it on your site. Put up
helpful and upbeat articles of interest to other teens. Provide quizzes and
puzzles. Make it a place other teens will want to come on a regular basis for
positive, encouraging and supportive information and resources. You might
7
want to have a Hotline number your can refer kids to who might be in trouble
and need professional help.
13) Start a Soup & Cereal Campaign. Did you

know that you can collect Campbell Soup labels and
General Mills box tops for points to purchase things for
your school? The school can get things like library
books, art supplies, and overhead projectors. Why not
challenge all the students, teachers, staff and their
families to start collecting? You could even get a van
for 1 million soup labels! Don't let all those people
throw away all those labels and box tops! Start your
campaign today.
14) Be an after-school tutor to an elementary kid. Volunteer a few hours

a week (or month) after school to help a younger kid learn to read, do math or
work on the computer. It's so great to "see the light go on" when someone
you're teaching finally "gets it"!
15) Do you love outdoor sports? Do a little research and see if you have an
Outdoor Education Center in your area. Often these Centers will help people
with special needs and they nearly always need volunteers to help. What could
be better than helping someone else experience the joy of skiing or horseback
riding, etc.?
16) Have a Kids Coat Drive. Unfortunately there are lots of kids who don't
have warm coats for the winter. Call your local elementary schools and ask if
they could use coats to give to their students who need them. Then put the
word out to neighbors, friends, etc. for clean, "gently used" coat donations (all
sizes for elementary kids) and then donate them to your local elementary
schools. If you don't get enough donated, you can go to the local thrift stores
and buy some at very low cost (they might also donate them if you tell them
what you're doing). Get them cleaned and then deliver them to the schools.
There will be some very grateful kids come this winter!
The more you lose yourself in

something bigger than yourself,
the more energy you will have.
~Norman Vincent Peale
8
17) Start a 'Just For You' student assistance program at your school.
The idea is that many students cannot afford books (especially the expensive
advanced placement books), bus passes, math calculators, etc. You can have
car washes, accept donations, do bake sales, ask for store donations, etc. Ask
one of the counselors, office staff, or teachers to administrate the Just For You
Fund.
18) Do you have a Make-A-Wish Foundation chapter5 in your

area? They are always looking for volunteers. You can volunteer to
help with fundraisers, in the office, on a committee. Do you have
new electronics, DVDs, etc. that you don't use – that you
haven't even opened? You can donate them. You can even
Adopt-A-Wish. Perhaps there is a Wish that especially touches
your heart. Gather a group of friends and start raising funds to
help make a dream come true for a child with a life-threatening
medical condition.
19) Do you speak and/or write a second (or third) language? There are
many organizations that can use help translating materials, websites and
interviewing people. Check with your community center or volunteer center to
find where you can be of help. You might also contact your local schools and
see if you could help tutor students trying to learn the language(s) you know,
or helping them understand English better.
20) Is there a Juvenile Detention center in your area? Why not contact
them and see if there is something you can do for the kids who are
incarcerated? It could be collecting gently used paperback books, DVDs, CDs,
and/or magazines to donate to the center. Maybe you can get a pen pal group
started. Or volunteer to sit on their Board that meets with the juvenile
offenders and their guardians to determine the consequences for the youth.
You'll have a voice in presenting options to youth and their guardians to help
them accept responsibility for their actions and provide accountability to the
community and the victim of their crime.
21) Do a little research and find out if there is a

wheelchair sports program in your community. There
are a lot of fine athletes who are confined to wheelchairs,
still active and very competitive. Besides basketball, some
wheelchair sports groups play rugby, hockey, tennis and
softball. Get some friends together and challenge them to a
game. You might be surprised who wins!
9
22) Bring some joy to a senior citizens facility. Not all senior citizens
facilities are the same. They vary from having active seniors to bed-ridden
individuals. But everybody has the same need – to know someone else cares.
Why not throw a party for some folks in such a facility? It can be as simple as
just bringing in some balloons and visiting with people (don't worry about what
to say – most of them will be happy to do the talking!). Or it can be as
elaborate as performing a "show" for them. If you have some friends who play
music, sing, can do card tricks, read poetry or tell stories – put it all together
and make some people happy! They'll talk about it for weeks. 
23) Throw a free car wash. There are all kinds of ways you can do this.
● Accept donations – be sure to tell where the money is going!
● Blow people away and just do it for free – no
strings attached.
● Have sponsor sheets and ask people ahead of
time to pledge 50 cents or $1 (or ??) for
every car, every 5 cars, etc. that your group
washes (free to the car owner).
● Contact people ahead of time and make
arrangements to go to their homes and wash
their cars there.
● Surprise your principal, teachers, mayor,
religious leaders, etc. and go to their place of employment and wash
their cars there for free (make arrangements ahead of time with the
business owner).
24) Wash car windshields for free. You can surprise people who are
shopping by washing their cars' windshields. Leave a flyer under their wiper
telling them what you did and wish them a happy day and ask them to pass the
kindness on. It could say something like: While you were shopping, we washed
your windshield. We hope you have a wonderful day. Please pass the kindness
on! (It would be a good idea to contact the shopping center administration first
and get permission.)
"I was raised to sense what someone

wanted me to be and be that kind of
person. It took me a long time not to
judge myself through someone else's
eyes." ~Sally Field
10
25) Get a copy of our free Ebook, 101 Ways to Support Our Troops,
(www.TogetherWeCanChangeTheWorldPublishing.com) and decide on one way
you can let our military personnel (or their families) know you support and care
about them. Whether you agree with current policy or not, these people have
left family and friends and placed themselves in harm's way. Some may not be
much older than you are!
26) Sponsor a blood drive. Contact your local Red Cross and
find out how to go about sponsoring a blood drive. They will help
you from start to finish, from planning to the actual day of the
drive. Invite the Media (newspapers and radio stations) to join
you. If you are a school or youth group – challenge a similar
group and see which group gets the most pints of blood donated.
Contact a Pizza parlor beforehand and see if they will donate
dinner for the winning group.
27) Are you and some of your friends "computer whizzes"? Offer to
teach a free class at the YMCA, a church, your school, senior center, or a
community center. There are a lot of people who would like to learn about
computers but either can't afford to take a class, or are embarrassed to let
anyone know they don't understand how to use them. Go slowly and teach one-
on-one as much as possible. Make it for all ages – kids through senior adults.
28) Organize a free "flower delivery" service. See if you can get a florist
or grocery store (or several of each) to donate several dozen carnations (or
other inexpensive flowers that are in season) and take them to a local care
facility. Make arrangements ahead of time and hand out one flower to each
person in the facility. Or perhaps you can put a couple fresh flowers in little
vases (use the same vases each time) on the tables in the dining room. Little
things like that mean so much to folks who can't get out and about like they
used to! Take the flowers in once a month. People will start watching for you!
29) Do you like to hold babies? Donate some

time at the local hospital in the Pediatrics Nursery.
Many hospitals are happy to have volunteers come
in and just hold and rock the babies. Or there may
be recovery type programs in your area that would
appreciate you babysitting while their moms take
classes and training.
30) Are you good at photography? Offer your services for

free to organizations that need publicity but can't afford to hire professional
photographers. It might be a food bank, a homeless shelter, humane society,
etc.
11
31) Volunteer at the local animal shelter. Many animal rescue groups are
short on funding and greatly appreciate any help they can get. They can use
help in many areas: cleaning cages, feeding animals, answering phones, doing
computer work, etc.
32) Help Elementary School teachers grade papers. Call your local
elementary school and see if they need help grading kids' papers. You could
offer to do the grading there at the school. Perhaps teachers need help
decorating their classrooms or organizing shelves or resource cupboards.
Maybe the computer lab is made available to students after school and you
could help the kids with their computer skills. There might be an after-school
program where you could play organized sports with the kids or help supervise
playground play.
What is popular is not

always right. And what is
right is not always popular.
33) Are you familiar with horses? There are horse therapy organizations
that need volunteers to help out with the horses. Sometimes volunteers walk
alongside a therapy horse that is carrying a disabled child. Other times the
horses need feeding, watering, currying or their stables cleaned. There's always
work to do where animals are present!
34) Sponsor a stuffed animals toy drive. You can either

request new or gently used stuffed animals. If you get gently used
toys, you'll need to wash and line dry them (don't put them in the
dryer). Donate them to the Fire Department or Police Department
(call ahead to see if they accept them – especially the used
toys). Or your local homeless shelters, rehab centers, etc. may
like to have them for the children of the people they are caring
for.
35) Volunteer to help your community theater. Community

theaters always need help. Perhaps you and some friends could help build and
paint sets, learn to do the lighting or sound system, hand out programs, etc.
Who knows – you might even get a "walk on" part in one of their plays!
12
36) Save a life – save a community – send an animal. Have you heard of
Heifer International (www.HeiferInternational.org)? This is a very creative way
of ending hunger and poverty and care for the earth in
communities around the world. Instead of sending money
Heifer International sends an animal and teaches the
recipient how to take care of it. The person promises
to take care of the animal and pass on their animal's
offspring to others. They also promise to share their knowledge,
resources, and skills with those people. Contact Heifer International for ideas
on how to raise funds and choose the kind of animal(s) you'll be sending. Go
here to see what you can send: www.heifer.org/site/c.edJRKQNiFiG/b.204586
37) Be an intern. If you think you're interested in working in the world of

non-profit organizations (NPOs) also known as non-governmental organizations
(NGOs) or community-based organizations (CBOs), consider serving as an
intern (volunteer) during your summer vacation. Examples of such
organizations are: museums, human rights groups, churches, homeless
shelters, animal protection groups, environmental groups, etc. These are
people working together to help local and/or global communities. The purpose
of the NPO is not to make money (they are not-for-profit), but to help their
community. They usually support themselves with donations from people,
businesses, and different foundations. You're probably already interested in
helping animals, the environment, low-income or homeless people, etc. You can
work through your school counselor, religious leader or trusted adult in finding
an organization that really gets you excited about what they're doing.
Investigate through the Internet – but be very careful about contacting just
anyone you find on the web. Get help checking them out first to make sure
they are a reputable organization that's really doing what they say they are.
38) Throw a birthday party but instead of gifts ask

people to make a contribution to your favorite charity
or cause. Better yet, gather friends with birthdays in the
same month and see how much you can raise! Invite your
entire grade level to join you! Do you know someone who
has a life-threatening disease? Donate the money to an
organization that is researching or helping people with that
disease. Maybe you're "into" helping abandoned animals –
you can donate the money to your local humane society. It
could be you're passionate about the environment – donate
"your gift money" to a group like the Sierra Club.
13
One who falls and rises again is
stronger than the one who has
not fallen at all. ~Julito Martine
39) Is there a lot of graffiti in your neighborhood or town? Get a group

of friends together and clean it up. Many times local Police Departments will
supply the paint or special remover, depending on what you need. Be sure to
get permission from the owners of the buildings or walls before doing any
removal work.
40) Sponsor a Youth Speak Up forum. Ask your city council, community
center, YMCA, school, etc. to sponsor it for you. Youth need to let the leaders of
their communities know how things are going from their (the youth's)
perspective. This can help the leaders look at community issues differently and
get new and fresh ideas on how to address them. Be willing to step up to help
with any changes that are made. Put action to your words.
41) Organize a letter writing campaign to your city officials, and/or

your state or national congressional people. Again, let the
politicians know how you feel. But don't just complain – offer
viable and creative ways of solving the challenges
your present.
42) Letter writing is a powerful form of

communication! Is there a business in town that
needs to reconsider its policy? Or are they doing an
excellent job and you want to commend them!
Either way, let them know. And let them know
with lots of letters. Each letter should be
handwritten and signed. You can have a letter
writing party! Offer positive solutions if you're
pointing out a problem.
43) Send Letters to the Editor at your local newspaper. Your opinions are
as important and valid as an adult's. Get help writing your response to
something happening (or not happening) in your community that you feel
strongly about. Whenever writing such a letter, try to put your thoughts in a
positive spin. Offer possible solutions to the problem, be specific. Help people
see what you are seeing. Don't be offensive or complaining. State the facts,
14
state your opinion, and then offer solutions. Make people think – but don't
"make enemies" – keep communication open.
44) Are there areas of your neighborhood or city

that need sprucing up? Organize a club, your friends,
your youth group, or the whole community, on the first
Saturday of the month to do some cleaning, weeding,
trash pick up, or whatever needs to be done. Be sure to
register your project at Together We Can Change the
World Day (T-Day)! It's free and gives you free
advertising, an easy way for people to find you – and
join your project! OR you can search for a project in
your area to join.
(www.TogetherWeCanChangeTheWorldDay.com).
45) Sponsor a T-Day Challenge. The idea is to challenge other school clubs
(or classes, junior class against the senior classes, or even senior classes at
other schools, etc.) to do a service project on the same day. Make a major
impact on your community! Call the local radio station and newspaper and let
them know what you're doing. Have all the kids meet in one place (like a city
park), give a pep talk, ask the mayor to say something, and then disperse to
their assigned projects.
It's not that we set ourselves goals

that are so high we cannot reach them.
It's that we set them too low, and do.
~Author Unknown
46) Coach an after-school or summer sports team for kids. Check with
the YMCA, local volunteer center, or city recreation department for ways to
"plug in." Gather a few friends and make it a true team effort. You'll be making
a huge impact on the younger kids while you have fun at the same time.
Encourage parents to provide refreshments after the games. And make sure
EVERY kid gets to play regardless of his or her skill level. This will also look
great on our resume!
15
47) Do you like to decorate? Why not start your own interior
design company and provide free decorating for low-income
families? You can often use items they already have and
simply rearrange things to make a room look totally different.
Paint isn't expensive, but sure can spruce up a room! If you
have friends who prefer working outside, let them do some
landscaping while you "design on a dime" inside!
48) Can you input data on a computer, work a copy machine,

file, or type? Volunteer at your local hospital, museum, library, YMCA, or
elementary school. Most non-profit organizations have plenty of work and can
nearly always find a volunteer something to do! These organizations also put
out mailings – often to thousands of people – and need help stuffing envelopes
and organizing the mailings. You'll get to meet some pretty amazing people
who are giving their lives to help others. And they've got some great stories to
tell! They'll want to hear your stories, too!
49) Do you love wild animals? You may have an animal

sanctuary in your area that needs help. See if you can work on
weekends or during the summer. They need people to help give
tours, and help care for the animals. You'll learn about the wild
animals' habitats, conservation, and gain a unique insider's view of
the animals at the sanctuary.
50) Do you have a National or State Park nearby? These parks always
need a wide variety of volunteers to help with all kinds of projects. How about
helping to
● Repair and maintain hiking trails
● Support the park's revegetation program
● Serve visitors in the park's visitor centers
● Assist in their research library
Some projects will take a day, others may be all summer. Enjoy some of our
nation's most beautiful country, learn a lot, and make some new friends!
51) Did you know that national statistics report the

number of homeless kids at over 1.5 million? And over 500
thousand are under the age of 15 – some even as young as 9
years old! Why not pack up some sack lunches and go walk the
city streets with some adult sponsors? Give lunches to the
homeless kids you meet. Take time to talk with them. Maybe
you can help steer them toward the help they need. But
mostly, just let them know someone cares. Go to StandUp For
16
Kids (www.standupforkids.org) and see if there is a group already doing this
where you can get training and support. Or contact your city police department.
Many have neighborhood offices where you can volunteer and reach the kids
that way.
52) Have a drive to collect items for homeless and street kids. Stand Up
For Kids always needs clothing, hygiene products, food and other resources to
hand out to the kids on the streets. Visit their website (see #49 above) for
more information.
53) Sponsor a Book Drive. Have you visited your school library recently?
Many are in great need of books. Why not have a new
and gently-used book drive and gather books for the
school and other organizations that can use them?
Decide on a place where books can be stored
(someone's garage, basement, or extra room) and
contact an elementary school's librarian to find what
books are needed. "Put the word out" by contacting
neighbors, clubs, people in your church or place of
worship. Set an ending date. You will need a group of
people to sort the books. Those books that are not
usable by the school can be donated to other
organizations that care for children, to doctor's office
waiting rooms, hospital emergency rooms, etc.
I have missed more than 9,000 shots in my career.

I have lost almost 300 games. 26 times I have been
trusted to take the game winning shot and MISSED!
I've failed over and over again in my life.
And that's why I succeed!" ~Michael Jordan
54) Do you have a children's museum in your area? Many need help with
special events they provide for children, birthday parties, clerical work (like
typing, filing, etc.), maintaining their exhibits, working in the gift shop, etc. You
may even be able to get an internship. The hours worked in NPOs usually count
toward your community service hours for graduation.
17
55) Work outside with your local Nature Conservancy. There is always
work to do: pull plants that aren't native to the area, gather native seeds, and
control invasive plants. Make some great new friends, enjoy the great outdoors,
and help the environment all at the same time!
56) Help your community's Visitor Bureau or Chamber of Commerce.

Volunteer to provide information and literature to visitors, collect visitor
statistics and learn about the tourism industry. You'll also learn new things
about your own hometown and surrounding area. You may get ideas for
new projects!
57) If you are a girl, why not volunteer with Girl Scouts?
You can help by teaching a skill or a craft, help girls with their
homework, assisting with the meetings, helping girls with their
badge projects, or just be a friend!
58) If you have a heart for the children of parents in

prison, why not contact your local prison and see if they have a program you
can participate in? Gather some of your friends together and make it a group
effort. It's very difficult living with a parent in prison. Having a friend who cares
can make all the difference for these kids.
59) Adopt a Street or section of a highway. Many communities have

programs where you choose a section of roadway and agree to pick up litter.
The litter bags and tools are provided and special arrangements are made for
disposal of the bags. Don't do it alone – your family, group of friends, school, or
club can all do it together. If you choose the first Saturday of the month, be
sure to register your project at www.TogetherWeCanChangeTheWorldDay.com.
60) Join your local Audubon Society. They always need volunteers to
● help with educational programs in
elementary schools
● guide and assist in nature walks
● lead outdoor, nature-themed after-school
programs
● help plan and implement events and
activities at local preserves
● take part in documenting activities and
events (taking pictures and writing for
their newsletters)
● help with mapping green spaces, parks
and properties owned by the Society
18
61) Help people who have been affected by emergencies
or disasters. Volunteers are needed to answer phones, give
tours, fold clothing, paint, or just keep the coffee pot full.
Sometimes these folks need foster homes for their pets until
they can find another place to live, or get moved back into their
own home. Other times their kids just need someone to play
with, or have a book read to them. Contact your local Red Cross
or religious leader to find a group that needs your help.
62) Help low-income elders and disabled adults keep their dignity and
stay in their homes. Volunteer to help
● Drive clients to the grocery store or to medical appointments
● Run errands and go shopping
● Help with the housework or yard work
● Cut and/or deliver wood for heating
● Assist them with moving or packing
● Read to them, write letters for them, make phone calls for them
Many people cannot afford to pay for such services, don't qualify for assistance
or don't have family or friends to help out. Contact your local volunteer center.
63) Start a Summer Chores Service. Gather some friends together who will
volunteer to help elders or disabled people. What would it be
like to be confined to a wheel chair and have your overhead
light go out? It won't be hard to get a list of people who need
help. Can you. . .
● Clean a gutter?
● Fix a leaky faucet?
● Change a light bulb?
● Wash windows?
● Mow the lawn?
● Paint a wall?
● Vacuum a carpet?
They may be small chores, but they all add up when you're all alone and can't
keep up with them!
64) Volunteer to walk dogs. Animal shelters, homebound people, and

people on vacation are just some of the people who may need help with their
dogs. Happy dogs make happy people, and nothing makes dogs happier than
going for walks (or playing with their favorite toys).
19
If you have heart and determination in
your life, then nothing can get in the way
of your dreams! ~Author Unknown
65) Provide a free Pet Sitting Service. Often when people go on

vacation or long business trips they need someone to watch their
pets. Why not get a group of friends together to start the service
so you can feed pets, take them for walks, and play with them.
Animals love their people and miss them when they're gone.
Your Pet Babysitting Service could save them from having to
spend that time in a cage at a boarding facility.
66) Is there a clothing bank in your community?

Volunteer to help sort and hang donated items. You might also be
able to help customers find items, or help the organization with their mailings,
answering phones, doing clerical work (typing, filing, etc.).
67) Ask your parents if you can be a host family for a foreign exchange
student. Nothing promotes world peace, breaks down cultural barriers, and
promotes understanding than getting to know someone from a different
country. Hosting a foreign exchange student is a challenge, but is well worth it
because you end up having a friend for life in another part of the world!
68) Communities affected by hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, tsunamis

and other natural disasters take years to recuperate. Kids just like you
suffer from lack of everyday items including school supplies. Sponsor a drive in
your community to gather backpacks and school supplies. (You might want to
contact one of the schools in the town to get a list of what they actually need.)
Then visit stores and companies in your community for donations. Once you get
your donations together, have a backpack stuffing party and distribute the
school supplies evenly between the backpacks. Add personal notes (maybe
create a little book of personal notes from everyone participating)
in each of the backpacks. See if you can get help from
UPS or FedEX for shipping costs.
69) Is there a local cable station in your

community? Call and ask if they will air a youth talk
show addressing issues affecting youth, their families
and the community. Then host and tape a talk show
about what youth think and are doing to make a
20
difference about those issues. You may want to do a series of shows under the
theme of youth making a difference. Keep each show limited in scope so you're
only addressing 1 or 2 specific issues for each taping. Invite all the youth in
your neighborhood or town as well as adults to attend the taping so you have a
live audience to respond.
70) Volunteer to help your local Special Olympics. Did you know that the
Special Olympics Athlete Oath is: Let me win. But if I cannot
win, let me be brave in the attempt. That's a great oath for life
in general, don't you think? You can volunteer for just one event
or you give several hours a week/month throughout the year.
There are several levels of involvement including the
state/provincial, national or international level. You might help
present awards, be a scorekeeper or assist with food service. There
is always plenty to do. To determine where to start, visit the Special
Olympics website at www.SpecialOlympics.org and click on the
Volunteer tab.
71) Use the click of your computer mouse to donate free food, help
save the rainforests, buy books for kids, rescue animals (and more) –
really! Go to The Hunger Site (www.TheHungerSite.com) and use the tabs
across the top of the site to make your "donation." All you do is click the big
button under the picture and the companies who have volunteered
to make contributions do so according to how many clicks are
received each day. When you click the button, you'll be told
what your click did. For instance, for the rescue animals it
says: "Thank You! Your click provided the value of .6 bowls
of food and care to a rescued animal in a shelter or sanctuary."
You can click once a day in each area – so get your friends
together and remind each other to "make your donation clicks"
every day!
72) Make a difference every time you shop with your very own Online
Shopping Mall! When you join 5 Million Students For Change
(www.5MillionStudentsForChange.com) you receive your very own Mall with
hundreds of stores. Every time you make a purchase you will receive 2-11% of
the price back to you in an automatic rebate, as well (this is MOST important)
as supporting different charitable causes around the world every time you shop!
If you cannot succeed with talent,

triumph with hard work.
~Author Unknown
21
73) Discover what other youth are doing. There are hundreds of links at
www.Freechild.org/issues.htm for ideas from Creativity issues to Education
issues to Democracy issues, Rights issues, Youth issues, Social issues and
much, much more. Use these ideas to jump-start your own creative thinking.
Be sure to visit the Actions section to see what projects youth are heading up
and leading! The site says: The Freechild Project has found that young people
across the nation are leading their communities in activism for social change.
Be a positive force in your community – we believe in you!
74) Are you interested in saving the environment? We

have a free eBook entitled 101 Ways to Help Planet Earth which
you can download at
www.TogetherWeCanChangeTheWorldPublishing.com. You can
also find many, many resources on the Sierra Club website
(www.SierraClub.org) including their new Sierra Club Radio
where they offer tips and tell stories you can use as a
consumer, citizen, and neighbor for making responsible choices
and connect to the growing environmental community.
(www.SierraClubRadio.org) You can listen via their mp3 file or
subscribe to their free podcast.
75) Learn how other youth are making their voices heard around the
world on the Voices of Youth website. This site is sponsored by UNICEF and
enables youth to make their voices heard at the UN level.
They offer forums for your opinions and sometimes
host round-table discussions with youth and UN
leaders. They do listen to what you say – and they
publish the impact your participation is making on
behalf of children and youth around the world. Visit
www.Unicef.org/voy and get involved.
76) Send messages directly to local, state and

nationally elected officials (including the President of the United
States). Go to the Youth Noise, Legislative Action Center
(http://capwiz.com/savetc/home/) and enter your zip code. You can also find
important issues, recent votes, current legislation and more. Also find election
results (by zip code) and a media guide which connects you with your local
newspaper! This is just a fraction of what's available to you on Youth Noise.
22
77) Want to "take a bite out of crime"? Visit the National Crime
Prevention Council's website (www.ncpc.org). Click on the TEENS tab and
become part of more than a million young people creating safer schools and
neighborhoods. Understand how crime affects you and your family, friends and
community and get involved in crime prevention projects. You can download
their gang fact sheets right from the site.
78) Having trouble coming up with a project for your community

service? Go to www.ServiceLinkNW.org and they'll take you through the
process step by step. Start with the Focus section to figure out exactly what
you're passionate about -- what "pushes your buttons." From there they lead
you through the Planning, Action and Learning stages of your project. Get some
friends together and go through it as a group. You'll be amazed at what you'll
discover about yourself, your community and the power you really do have to
make positive changes! Go here: http://psl.oditech.com/students/index.php
79) Got a polluted stream, creek or river in

your area? Pull together some friends and start
cleaning it up. If you notice foam, there may be
some pollutants getting into the water. Take water
samples in several locations up and down the stream
and then take them to your local high school science
lab teacher or local environmental agency to get the
measurements of toxicity and what the toxins are.
Then gather the resources (including people, the
media, etc.) that you need to clean up the pollution
sources.
80) Is there a jail, prison or rehabilitation center nearby? Many of these

people will have children at home missing their mom or dad. Make
arrangements to take a tape recorder and some children's books into the prison
or center and have the parent read the stories as if they're reading them to
their own kids. Then send the tape and books to their kids so they can hear
their mom or dad read to them.
81) Is there a historic building in your town that needs some repair
work? Help preserve a piece of your area's history by organizing a group of
people (be sure to include the Historical Society in your town) to get it fixed up.
You'll need to get appropriate permission, but you'll find the Historical Society
will help in every way they can to support your project! Invite the newspapers
and radio stations to get involved, too!
23
"Our youth are not failing the system; the system is
failing our youth. Ironically, the very youth who are
being treated the worst are the young people who are
going to lead us out of this nightmare."
~Rachel Donelson Jackson (1767-1828) U.S. First Lady
82) Are there tensions between cultural groups in your community?

Why not reach out and help cross the divide? Invite another school's drama
class to join yours and perform a play that will help build bridges. A terrific
play, To Kill A Mockingbird, would be an excellent choice. It may be a little
awkward at first when your two schools get together, but you'll find that by
working together and performing such a play will help your community and it
will open up a whole new world for you – not to mention the new friends you'll
make!
83) Does your community need an "Internet

Café" where people can get Internet access?
Some towns have seasonal workers who need
Internet access to check e-mail from their families.
Do you and your friends have computer expertise
that you can share in setting one up? Perhaps the
Chamber of Commerce or Community Center has a
room you can use. Don't be afraid to contact
businesses and stores for donations (computer
hardware, installation, publicity, etc.). Attend a City
Council meeting and request their help and support.
84) Start a Ham Radio or Amateur Radio Club. Computers aren't the only
way to communicate with people from around the world. More and more
schools are installing and setting up these radios. Ask your science teacher or a
local ham radio club to help you. You'll need to take some tests to earn your
operator's license. Then you'll be able to talk with other operators around the
world.
85) Organize a volunteer missions trip to another country. There are

many organizations that can help connect you with people who need you. Just
one such organization is i-to-i Volunteer Organization (www.i-to-i.com) where
you can get help connecting to volunteering opportunities, internships and
more. The i-to-i organization works with local charities, government bodies and
24
community organizations to help find volunteers. You can choose the type of
work you want to do: community development projects, conservation projects,
teaching projects, building projects, or teaching English.
86) Are you an artist? There are hundreds of

underprivileged kids who don't have access to art
classes or materials. Get some of your art classes to
offer after school art classes at one of the poorer
schools, YMCAs or community centers in your
community. Provide the materials and teach the kids
what you know. At the end of the classes provide an
art show featuring your students' work. Open it to the
neighborhood and invite the media to attend. Make the
world a better place through art – open the world of art to
kids who wouldn't know it without you.
87) Sponsor a Holocaust Remembrance Day in April. One of the most

horrific events in our modern history was the Holocaust in Germany from 1933
to 1945, some 60 years ago. Fewer and fewer of the survivors remain alive to
talk about their experiences, but we need to remember that over 6 million
people were exterminated in the name of creating a superior race. Visit the
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum online at www.ushmm.org for more
information.
88) Speak out against the holocaust going on currently in Darfur,

Africa. In 2004 the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum declared a
genocide emergency for Darfur, Sudan. To date about
2,500,000 civilians have been driven from their homes and
more than 300,000 people killed in the name of racial purity.
Thousands are dying every month. The US Holocaust Memorial
Museum and Google have teamed to give you high-resolution
imagery of the destruction going on
(www.ushmm.org/googleearth). Ending such genocide requires
the interest and action of concerned citizens – just like you! Go
here to learn exactly what you can do – and get your friends
and family to join you: www.ushmm.org/conscience/alert/darfur/what.
89) Help people who can't afford to pay an accountant file their taxes.
Are you interested in accounting and business practices? See if your Regional
Occupation Program offers a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. Get
your friends together for the training and then cheer each other on as you pass
the certification test so you can help people with their tax forms. Ask IRS
agents to be present and check the forms. Most of the returns will probably be
able to be filed right from a computer.
25
90) Join an archeological dig. See if you have a "dig" happening in your
area (call your local college or historical society). Many communities do have
digs happening because of construction that has uncovered artifacts. Here's an
opportunity to "touch history" in a unique and important way.
When you see pain in someone's eye,

a hug, a touch on the shoulder, or
even a smile can make all the difference.
~Author Unknown
91) Plant a tree. Trees are important to the health of our

communities. Trees remove CO2 from the air and help fight global
warming. They produce oxygen and give birds homes and provide
food for wildlife. They also cool your home and
neighborhood, break the cold winds and lower heating
costs. Visit The National Arbor Day Foundation website
(www.ArborDay.org) for lots of information and free
resources. If you live in the city, challenge your city to
celebrate Arbor Day and become a Tree City USA. All the
information you need is on the Arbor Day website.
92) Encourage your school district to use biodiesel in your school

buses. Biodiesel is a less polluting alternative fuel and is available in all 50
states. Do some homework on the Biodiesel website (www.biodiesel.org) so you
can present the facts to your school district. There is a guide for buying
biodiesel (www.biodiesel.org/buyingbiodiesel/guide/default.shtm) that is very
helpful. There's even a map with cities where you can purchase it.
93) Be a Virtual Volunteer. If it's difficult for you to leave

your home, but you have access to a computer, research the
possibilities for being a virtual volunteer. It's very important
that you be careful and make sure the company is legitimate.
Be very wary if they ask you for money – it's a good chance
they are scamming you. Since it's virtual volunteering, your
communication will mostly be through email, although you
may use the telephone for communicating with your
supervisor and phone conferences. You might write articles,
create layouts for websites, and maybe even help in recruiting
other volunteers. And many times you can come up with your
26
own ideas of what you'd like to do to help the organization. And the best part is
you can do your volunteering any time – even in your pajamas and no one will
know! Visit www.dosomething.org/volunteer/virtual for some ideas.
94) Help with Health Care Fairs. Contact your local

Community Outreach Center and volunteer to help with
their Health Care Fair (or whatever they call it at their
Center). There will be all kinds of things to do: pass out
flyers, help people with directions, help direct traffic in the
parking lot, make posters, help set up, help clean up
afterwards, etc.
95) Join your local Police/Urban Youth Relations task force. If your
community doesn't already have one, take several of your friends and approach
your Police Department to start one. Explore the different ways youth and
police can interact in a positive way to make changes in your neighborhood or
community. The idea is to have youth and police officers interact one-on-one to
help break down stereotypes each has of the other. And as the youth and
officers on the task force get to know each other and learn to appreciate and
respect each other, that relationship needs to be made public so others learn
that police and youth are not enemies but actually
want the same things: safe neighborhoods, the
desire to help others, etc. Have a youth vs.
police softball (volleyball, etc.) game and
publicize it. Afterward have the youth and police
who played opposite each other give little talks
about cooperation, respect, etc. to those who
watched. Have the youth join officers on their
rounds. This will, of course, take some training
for the youth prior to actually going out.
Sometimes the kids will have to stay in the
squad car – depending on the kind of call.
Other times they might actually walk the streets with the officers. Do whatever
it takes to make relationships between youth and police a positive and
constructive one in your neighborhood.
96) Become a youth counselor for a telephone hotline. Youth make great
counselors for other kids who call in on hotlines. Training is available and adults
are nearby to help with calls that you can't handle. Kids who are hurting
sometimes just need to talk to someone who cares – that can be you!
27
97) Do you have a "green thumb"? Adopt a local emergency
shelter or low-income nonprofit organization that can't afford to hire
gardeners and take care of their current yard or vegetation. Even if
they are a street-front location, there are usually some plants to
care for. If not, gather some friends together and beautify their
location with plants in containers. Then be sure to keep going
back every week (or as needed) to water and care for the
vegetation.
98) Do you know Yoga, Tai Chi or Karate? Why not teach a free class at
your local YMCA or community center? There are lots of individuals (kids and
adults) who would enjoy such a class but can't afford to pay. Help people get in
shape, give back to your community, and make some friends all at the same
time!
99) If you have a "way with animals," volunteer at

your veterinarian's clinic. There are always cages to
clean, bandages to change, and animals that are missing
"their people" who would benefit from a friendly voice and
some petting. There will most likely be other activities
they'll need your help with, like rabies clinics, community
pet adoptions, etc.
100) Adopt a lonely senior citizen. You can call

local nursing homes, senior residences, rehabilitation centers, your
place of worship, even geriatric wards at your area hospitals to
find someone who needs a friend. You really don't need to take
anything with you other than a smile and a big, caring heart.
Commit to meeting with your senior friend once a week. You
might start reading a book to them, or write notes, read
their mail, do a little shopping, or just watch a favorite TV
show and talk about it with them.
101) Volunteer as an Animal Foster Parent. If your family likes animals,

ask your parents/family if you can volunteer to be an animal foster home. You'll
take in animals that are orphaned or abandoned while the agency seeks
permanent homes for them. You'll take care of all their needs – just like they
were your own. Contact your local animal shelters to see if they have such a
program. The shelter usually helps by providing food and any medications
required. If you have a PetsMart or other pet store in your area that does
adoptions, contact them for information about the veterinarians and/or shelters
that provide the adoption services.
See next page for Bonus Ideas. . .
28
BONUS IDEAS
102) Do you enjoy going to the theater (live

performances)? Volunteer to help and you'll get to see the
shows for free. Volunteers usually greet the people, take
tickets, hand out programs, help with refreshments at
intermissions, and provide information. Involve your family
or friends, and have a fun, free evening!
103) Have you ever thought of doing "window dressing"? You know -
when you walk by a store and look at their window displays? Volunteer at a
nonprofit thrift store to do their window displays and floor displays.
104) Get a group of friends together and paint

houses over the holidays or during the summer.
There are many people who simply cannot afford to pay for
professional painters and would be thrilled to have some
caring youth do it for them. Contact your place of worship,
105) Organize a trip for low-income kids to the local zoo

or park. Some kids never get out of their neighborhoods because their parents
are working 2 and 3 jobs and just don't have the time to take them. Contact an
emergency shelter, community center or your place of worship for help locating
and organizing the trip. Get parents to drive and accompany you. Be sure to
get permission slips signed by the children's parents. The organization you're
working with will have one you can use.
106) Volunteer to tape record the life stories of hospice patients.

Hospice is a program that comes alongside people who are dying. These
individuals have a story to tell about their life. Gather some friends together,
get tape recorders and interview them, letting them tell their stories. Create
some art to go with each individual's story and give it to them to share with
their families. Perhaps the hospice program would like a copy, too. The Hospice
program you're working with will want to give you training before you start
your project.
29
Well, there you have them, 101+ ideas on how youth can change the world!
Even if you don't use any of these, I hope they'll at least get you thinking about
projects you can and will do. But don't stop at thinking – DO IT.
I believe in you!
Sandi
sandi@togetherwecanchangetheworld.com
To find out how you can Raise Your Hand for

Change through 5 Million Students For Change,
please go to the next page!
30
&
_____________________________
E-Cards
Prints & Posters
_____________________________
31

the world.

person.

caring in my world.
EVERYDAY!

CHANGE!
32
References
1 – Study Shows Teens' Top Ten Causes, Readiness to Get Involved and Make a
Difference (www.harrisinteractive.com/news/allnewsbydate.asp?NewsID=353)
2 – Teens Believe They Can Make A Difference in Politics

(http://momslife.com/stages/teen_politics.shtml)
3 - CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS FOUNDATION, Educating Tomorrow's Citizens

(www.crf-usa.org) and the Active Citizenship Today (ACT) Online resources
(www.crf-usa.org/act/act.html)
4 - Big Brothers Big Sisters

(www.bbbs.org/site/c.diJKKYPLJvH/b.1632621/k.5BFF/Schoolbased_Mentoring.
htm)
5 – Make-A-Wish Foundation (www.wish.org) – you can find your local chapter

on their Home page in the upper right hand corner. Just enter your zip code or
browse their online map.
33

Change The World

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101 WAYS

TO CHANGE THE WORLD

The ability to change the World is

(Revised November 2008)

I am so glad you are reading my E-book. I have a passion to change

From Sandi Valentine, Director of Communication & Publishing:

This book is my gift to you because I want to empower

14 E-books in the 101 Ways Series

More books through Together We Can Change The World Publishing

Powerful Movies & Songs

Personal Online Shopping Mall

Beacon of Light Cards

Prints & Posters

The 5 Million For Change Pledge is on the next page:

I raise my hand for 5 Million For Change.

I will take time TODAY to make a difference in

I will take time TODAY to do one thing – for one

I will take time TODAY to spread some love &

One thing – TODAY.

Nothing is too small. Nothing is too big.

It is only important to take Action.

I will take time TODAY – to ACT – to create

1) Spend an afternoon with someone you know is lonely.

3) If you have flowers in your garden, share them with

5) Give anonymous, surprise gifts to co-workers or friends – with a note

8) Enlist the help of neighborhood kids to clean up your neighborhood, or

9) Do you have a pool in your backyard? Offer to

Many of the bad things happening in our world

12) Send a note of appreciation to your local police

14) Donate your obsolete cell phones to a Homeless

19) Offer to baby-sit for a single Mom who is

20) Mow your neighbor’s yard while they are

23) If you have an old computer that still works take it

It’s not the size of what you do that matters. It is

26) Here’s a fun one… If you have an air compressor put a

27) Teach a FREE class at the YMCA/YWCA in your

28) Teach a FREE class on Changing Your World at

31) Buy a gift certificate for 1 ice cream cone; 1 Cookie; 1

32) After you've bought several of the "Just 1" Certificates

37) Organize your neighborhood around a cause and have a Neighborhood

39) Want to blow someone's mind? Every time someone

41) Hold a Homeless Shelter Scavenger Hunt. You'll need a

42) Do a Toy Drive for your local Battered Women's

44) Be a "Foster Home" for cats & dogs at

49) Develop a team of people (whether family, friends or fellow employees

52) Collect posters to beautify rooms in Nursing Homes & Shelters.

53) Approach your local performing arts center

56) Paint over violent graffiti.

57) Take daily walks with an elderly neighbor

60) Secure doormats to the floor surface in an elderly person' home.

Your ability to make a difference depends on your choice

61) Clean the gutters for an elderly or disabled neighbor.

64) The elderly and homebound often miss out on the

68) Contact Amnesty International and start

There is no greater joy, nor greater reward, than to make

73) Is there an area in your community that needs

75) In keeping with the idea above, start your own

77) If you have artistic talent use it to create a

78) Design a website for a local charity.

79) Read to a visually-impaired person. Go to the library and bring them

How can I be useful,

83) Welcome new neighbors with a home-cooked meal