Hypothetical question:

Greg Gano and Sarah Sellman from AmericanBearFilm.com, along with myself undertook that exact experiment in the beautiful city of Scranton, PA. The idea was to pass out “random snacks of kindness” while promoting a simple message — “be kind”.

Of course, Greg and Sarah were no strangers to this type of experiment as they had already been doing this type of exercise across the United States starting back in July of 2010. Their cross country adventure had them relying on strangers for a place to crash every night while travelling for two months to all the towns named “Bear” in America.

They simply wanted to see how kind strangers would be to other strangers in need.

Needless to say, their experiment was a success, but even more so, the lessons gained from the experience continued to motivate them years after they adventure.

So, on a bright Saturday morning, with cupcakes in hand, the three of us took to the streets, testing the hypothetical question.

I’m not going to lie…It took a little while for us to find some takers. But once we did, it didn’t take long to pass out pan after pan of delicious cupcakes.

So what did I take away from volunteering my time to be kind to strangers?

1. It doesn’t take much to brighten someone’s day.

While walking around downtown Scranton, we had the chance to interact with a variety of people — some were waiting for the bus, others were heading to the local festival, one gentleman was waiting for his sister to take him back to jail — all of them remarked about how happy they were that we were there. A couple of guys were replacing a sewer line remarked that we were saints, one shop owner thought we were angels, and two friends under the eaves made a remark that we brightened their day and gave them hope about future generations. This all happened just by showing kindness to a handful of strangers.

2. A smile goes a long way.

Thinking about this experience makes me wonder if I should have worn a black trench coat with an evil looking bunny mask to see if what I was wearing would have affected the results of our experiment. The obvious answer is, YES! There is no doubt in my mind that when Greg, Sarah, and myself smiled and were warm and friendly to strangers, they were much more willing to enjoy a cupcake.

3. Strangers aren’t usually dangerous.

Yes, I know what we were all taught back in grade school, but is that safety lesson meant to spill over into adulthood? It’s my belief that we tend to be wary of ordinary, everyday people because we were taught that strangers want to harm us. This simply isn’t true, and the “random snacks of kindness” campaign seemed to shine a light on this.

4. Volunteering isn’t always for a specific cause.

Sometimes I get caught up thinking I have to help out with an established group in order to be an effective volunteer. But that isn’t always the case. If you think a certain value or virtue is important, think of something creative to do that will promote a bigger theme (like kindness, honesty, entrepreneurship, etc.).

How about you? What are the big themes in life that you give your time to? What do you do in order to promote those virtues? I’d love to hear from you in comments below.

Also, if you’d like to find others who volunteer for big themes in your corner of the world, try Create The Good’s volunteer opportunity search engine. It’s a great way to connect to groups and individuals already serving in your community.

Also of Interest

• How a Random Act of Kindness Helped Me Heal
• Meals on Wheels Caught in Budget Food Fight
• Join AARP: Savings, resources and news for your well-being

See the AARP home page for deals, savings tips, trivia and more

NVW often translates into neighborhood work projects, usually involving a combination of paint brushes, garbage bags and brightly colored themed T-shirts. It’s a great time to get things done that may have piled up over the winter — and when everyone gets together to help out, it energizes the organizations who put on the event.

All good things! (Maybe this week could be celebrated twice a year?)

Of course, this week is wonderful for another reason. It gives organizations and communities an opportunity to thank those who continually give of themselves throughout the year.

Here’s a handful of creative ways (big and small) to recognize the volunteers in your life:

• Dinner and a show: A community garden group in the Philadelphia area have all the volunteers, workers and plot-holders gather together for a annual potluck to showcase their favorite recipes using the crops they grew. The dinner is followed by a short slideshow of the season, annual report and recognition of each volunteer.

• Swag, swag, and more swag: T-shirts, hats, temporary tattoos, lip balm, stickers, etc. are often a tangible way to say thanks. Even though most organizations don’t necessarily want volunteers to volunteer for the swag, it’s still a good idea to occasionally give a small branded item out as way to say thanks and create a sense of belonging within the group.

• Community news: Television, radio, newspapers and blogs are always looking for good news. Invite a reporter (or create your own story) to highlight the volunteers in your group and the impact they make in the world.

• Essential lists: Send a postcard out that has a picture of the volunteer serving along with a short note on why they are essential to the organization/cause. Guaranteed to be put up on his/her refrigerator to remind them of why the help out.

• Yummies: Cookies just might be the universal symbol for ‘thanks’ … kidding … but they are close. It’s amazing how much people associate food with feelings; so let your volunteers know how you feel about their service with one of your fellow helpers’ favorite treat.

• Partner perks: Las Vegas might do this better than anywhere else in the country. As the self-proclaimed “Entertainment Capital of the World,” Vegas companies give away free vouchers for shows, events and food for people who partner with community organizations. Ask a local business to honor volunteers this week with a sweet deal.

Of course, don’t forget to add a heartfelt verbal ‘thank you’ to whatever you choose to do. Often, those two words are all that is needed to properly express appreciation for every hour of service and sacrifice given throughout the year.

How about you? What’s the best way you’ve ever been thanked for volunteering? (I’d love your comments.)

More info can be found about National Volunteer week here. Also, if you’re not already committed to doing a project this week, check out Create The Good’s newly redesigned (and super easy to use) website to find a volunteer project near you.

Photo by: nateOne, Flickr

Also of Interest

• Astronaut Abby — Inspiring Others to Dream Big
• Best All-Around Exercise for Every Post-50 Body
• Join AARP: Savings, resources and news for your well-being

See the AARP home page for deals, savings tips, trivia and more

Maybe it’s the sound of my tires on the road or the constantly changing scenescapes across my the windshield that make it such an exhilarating experience — or maybe it’s the smell of mountain air or the jump in my stomach when going over steep country roads — whatever it is, it’s almost intoxicating.

However, there is one thing that always seems to ruin those pristine moments of a road trip.

LITTER.

It might be a pile of trash in a ditch or a single plastic bag flapping on a tree branch, it makes me sad and a little frustrated that there is so much litter scattered everywhere. And it’s not just in the urban city centers where this eyesore exists, it is everywhere!

Fortunately, it’s not something that has to be a problem.

First, look for ways to incorporate a voluntary litter pickup plan into your everyday life.
For me, when I walk my dog, I always carry two bags. One, for what my dog leaves behind, and an extra bag for trash I find along the way. Also, I set aside one day where you commit to picking up at least three pieces of litter. It’s the small things that add up in the long run.

Second, volunteer to be a part of a group clean up project.
When I lived in south central Pennsylvania, I always loved seeing the group of senior rangers from Codorus State Park doing their morning litter pickups. They always looked like they were having a blast with each other, all while doing a huge favor to the community who enjoyed this park and its many trails. Try getting a couple of friends together, then pick a park or neighborhood, and start picking.

The idiom, “many hands make light work” truly applies to keeping our neighborhoods, cities  and world looking better.

How do you keep your world picked up? I’d love to hear about either your “personal litter pick up plan” or your “clean up group project” in the comments below.

Also, if you’re interested in joining forces with other people who want to make their world better, start your search at AARP’s newly redesigned Create the Good. 

Picture by: fauxto_digit, Flickr

She recalls that the only time in her life when she wasn’t around horses was during college at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she studied broadcast journalism.

After many years of working in the world of radio, and later, dental sales, Fran retired in 2006 to her horse farm in northern Maryland where she started volunteering with organizations that were close to her heart — horse rescues.

She was kindly asked by a friend if she would be willing to help out the Washington County Humane Society with a major equine abuse/neglect case. Approximately seventy-five horses needed food and blankets — immediately — so, Fran went about collecting from other horse enthusiasts, and hauled the items over to help the horses in need.

After this case was resolved, and the horses were given new homes, she wanted to continue making a difference and soon connected with two local horse charities: Angel Acres Horse Haven Rescue and MidAtlantic Horse Rescue.

While she has volunteered for almost every job at the sanctuaries (mucking stalls, putting up fencing, fostering new arrivals, etc.), her energies are most often focused on fundraising, marketing, and networking for the organizations.

One unique project Fran has worked on is Angel Acres’ anti-slaughter, international billboard campaign, to educate the public on a practice that isn’t easy to talk about, but is necessary for people to know what is going on and how to help.

“She’s indispensable,” said Jo Deibel, executive director at Angel Acres, “without Fran the project simply couldn’t have taken off!” With her background in broadcasting and sales, Fran knew who to contact and how to get things moving.

Fran’s love for these majestic creatures is easy to see and with her years of volunteering alongside other like minded individuals, she has developed a “horse sense” for helping.

Fran’s Horse Sense Volunteering:

Set aside a portion of your time each week to volunteer. “It’s just as important to give time as it is money. Something as simple as socializing with the animals goes a long way.”

Look for small ways to give back. “I cut out feed labels which are each worth a quarter…and the money really adds up over time. Especially when you get your neighbors involved.”

Having the right reasons to volunteer are key. “Volunteer because you really care about the cause — be passionate — it makes your message go farther.”

Know who you’re partnering with. “Take the time to learn as much as you can about the organization you want to work with. While there are a lot of good places out there to help, there are also a lot of bad. Ask around and look for good reputations and accreditations. Doing this will save you a lot of trouble down the road.”

Find outlets that let you pay it forward. “Dustin’s Dreamer, a horse I rescued, was too slow to race but could still show. He has become a role model to other race horses and for every blue ribbon he wins, twenty dollars is donated to a fund to assist other horses in need.”

Through it all, Fran knows she’s actually making a difference in the lives of horses and their owners.

She sums it up by saying, “the feeling I get from the horses I’ve helped — simply rewarding.”

There is a lot of need in communities across the country to help out with animals. If you’d like to get involved, search through Create The Good’s volunteer opportunities or look for verified Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries to contact.

Photos by Drew Elliot

Based upon the list above, which age bracket do they best describe?

This list of stereotypes was used to break the ice with a group of eight seniors (age seventy or older) and eight high school students (age eighteen or younger), where they were asked to raise their hands if they thought the statement referred to the other generation.

After every item was read, there was a brief pause, then a smile, and sixteen hands were counted in the air. The group quickly realized they had a lot in common as they began their eight week experiment, called Sages & Seekers.

The program’s purpose is to help bridge the gap between seniors and teenagers in order for both groups to learn from each other, which can help remove age-related biases, and, in turn, strengthen the community.

Tammy Miller, director of the Windy Hill Senior Center, started the Sages & Seekers program in Spring Grove, Pennsylvania two years ago and continues to believe highly in its outcomes.

“It does so much more than just pair two people together. It actually helps clear up misconceptions based upon what the seniors hear about the students. Also, it gives our seniors a captive audience to talk about what’s most important in their lives – which is something they don’t get to do very often,” said Miller.

One of the sages, Nancy Wagner (age 70) commented, “I will always think of my seeker as one of my own grandkids! I love that we can sit down together and have a good laugh.”

This sentiment was echoed by most of the other sages as, week after week, the sages would be asked a list of questions about their lives. Nothing seemed off limits as topics ranged from jobs and careers to love and dating.

“I couldn’t believe how much we had in common,” said Pedro (age 16) of his sage Edna (age 92), “when she told me she loved polka music and Lawrence Welk, I told her, ‘me too!’”

One seeker, named David said, “I couldn’t believe how fast the time would fly. We always found more to talk about…and it was really interesting stuff.”

At first, both groups admitted to being a little shy and standoffish, but after they had been paired up with one another, by an activity similar to speed dating, they really started to open up.

“I thought it was cool that (my sage) Jerry really loved her job as postmaster of the town. She was always excited to talk about it,” commented seeker Hannah.

Fifteen year old Kyree said, “I kind of thought it would be boring just to sit for an hour, but then I got to know Ted (age 79)…I mean wow! He lived a really interesting life.”

After the weekly meetings were over, the seekers put together an hour-long presentation where each sage would be brought up in front of an audience (filled with family members) to have their story and wisdom showcased by the seeker. When the seeker finished, his or her sage would have the opportunity to share their feelings about the program and their partner.

Sage Nacy Wagner ended the night with a poem to her seeker JJ:

“I do want to say how much I’ve enjoyed our time together,

I wish you the very best through all kinds of weather.

May God bless you as you journey to fulfill your roll,

Keep kicking that ball, and follow through to your goal.”

“Overall, the Sages & Seekers program makes our community better. It connects the schools with the community center, it creates lasting relationships, and it helps both groups experience new things. I wish every community could have something like this,” concluded Tammy Miller.

Which brings up a good question, is there anything in your community where you are bridging the generation gaps? If so, what is it?

If you need some suggestions, Create The Good has a collection of How-To Guides that list many ways to connect a multi-generational community.

For more information about the Sages & Seekers national program, go to www.sagesandseekers.org.

Photo by: Drew Elliot

Yet, somehow, I forgot that the cold can really sting. I forgot that the weather can change drastically in an instant. I forgot that you don’t sit next to a drafty door in a coffee shop. I simply forgot that Jack Frost is still a formidable enemy.

But – the one thing I never forgot, is the need to help others during the freezing cold days of winter. Whether it be donating blankets, or helping a struggling family with heating costs, or simply checking in with elderly neighbors – all are desperately needed.

When it comes to helping others during the winter, I take my cues from Rich Besel, a friend of mine’s father, who has been helping his rural community for years.

One of Rich’s neighbors, a kind, elderly woman, well into her nineties, was still living on her country acreage and needed help with snow removal. Once Rich became aware of her need, he immediately got involved, clearing out her driveway anytime a winter storm would roll through. He never charged a dime and remarked that he did it because ‘it was the right thing to do’.

After Rich’s neighbor passed away, he reasoned that someone else might need his help. Guess what? He didn’t have to look too far as there was another elderly lady, just down the road, who needed the same service.

I’ve been an admirer of Rich’s service-to-others lifestyle for a while now, and after chatting with him, I jotted down a few observations about becoming ‘rich’ through serving others.

Be on the lookout for basic needs.
Helping others survive should be a default setting for humans, but sometimes we take for granted that everyone has the essentials and forget that there are people in need. If we live with our eyes open, purposefully looking for ways to help, all it takes is acting on what you see and know is right.

Be faithful in duty.
When the decision is made to act, do it with a joyful attitude. Don’t do something grudgingly. Feeling guilty (in my opinion) is not a good reason to get involved. If the act is something that needs to be done more than once, figure out a way to do the task on a regular schedule and ask others to join in if the situation allows.

Be willing to do the right thing for free.
Not everything in life needs to be done for profit. If you can do something for free, do it. One will quickly find out what kind of person they are when there is no monetary reward involved. Besides, the currency found in building strong relationships will go far beyond anything money can buy.

What are you doing that makes you rich like Rich? I’d love to hear the ways you are reaching out during the cold days of winter.

If you need suggestions on where to get started, Create the Good has a fantastic resource to help you search for ways to help others.

Picture Credit: paul_houle

Most of the time, the items shared are the same from year to year: “I’m thankful for a loving family”…or…”a good job”…or…”a roof over my head”…or…”plenty of  food to eat,” and while saying what we are thankful is a nice holiday practice, would you allow me to make a tiny suggestion?

Try showing your thankfulness.

It’s not a new idea, but one that goes back to the old adage, “actions speak louder than words.” If you are truly thankful, why not prove it by doing something that gives others the ability to be thankful too.

Need some ideas? Here are four great ways to give back:

1. Share a meal – Karen Franklin with Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia says, “This is the time of year when we need the most help. Especially, with food donations and peanut butter and tuna being the big items. Anyone can hold a food drive by getting your family, friends, or coworkers involved.”
2. Donate clothes – The Coats for Kids Foundation based in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania will provide more than 200,000 new coats to kids in need this year and are always looking for new volunteers. Paul Daigle, a representative with the organization made this comment, “the best way for people to help is to connect with a local chapter in their community to help identify needs, raise money, or distribute coats.”
3. Listen to a kid read – “We absolutely encourage the community to volunteer inside the schools. Especially the reading programs! A teacher can only listen to so many students and always appreciates having others help out,” remarked Amy Ernst with District 518 in Worthington, Minnesota. Giving back can be as simple as lending an ear.
4. Visit the elderly – Jenna Fehr, a volunteer coordinator at the Gino Merli Veterans Center in Scranton, Pennsylvania mentioned, “you can play BINGO or cards, listen to music, distribute mail, escort residents in wheelchairs, or simply have a conversation. It all makes a big difference. Volunteers show our residents that someone still cares about them and they are regarded as real friends who are not alone.”

This list is meant to be a catalyst, showing you that there are tons of ways to demonstrate how thankful you are, not only to the terrific organizations credited above, but to places in your own community. The best thing to do, is call or email the group and ask to speak with a volunteer coordinator. This person will know lots of ways for you to express your gratitude.

Also, there are a lot of excellent ways to show your gratitude by spending just five minutes giving back. Head over to Create The GOOD’s “How-to” web page for ideas.

It’s my hope that when Thanksgiving comes around, you’ll have lots to be thankful for, and by giving back you’ll give others a reason to be thankful too. Thanksgiving cheers!

One such event happens in the southwest corner of Minnesota, in the town of Worthington, called the Turkey Day 10K. Set around one of the state’s scenic 10,000 lakes, Lake Okabena has been the backdrop of this race for over 30 years.

The TD10K got its start back in 1980 when Jerry Fiola, a Worthington native, and a group of friends started the Okabena Bay Area Striders as a way to promote and encourage running in the area. When the organization looked around the region, they noticed that there were very few opportunities for people to participate in a quality running race.

“The natural thing to do was put on our own race,” remarked Fiola, “so we went to races in bigger cities to see what we wanted in ours … and once we knew what a good race looked like, we tried to duplicate it at our local festival, Turkey Day.”

The first year, 109 people signed up. Fiola exclaimed, “We were thrilled — and it didn’t take long before we saw over 700 people running around the lake!”

When the numbers of registrants started swelling, the Striders realized they needed to start recruiting a small army of volunteers to keep the event running smoothly. So they asked neighbors, schools administrators, church leaders and local businesses to lend a hand.

“The response was terrific. People pitched in to make the race a true community wide project, one where lots of people get involved, and something to be proud of,” Fiola said. “A race is a unique event where everyone can volunteer in some capacity. There are a lot of easy tasks for people who aren’t looking for a huge level of responsibility but still want to be involved.”

To Fiola, the best volunteers are:

• Interested: The most effective volunteer will be the one who is actually interested in the mission of the organization or activity. If you are forced to do the work, you usually don’t value it. If you don’t value it, the effort is hurt, not helped. Look for places to volunteer where you can feel passionate about what the group is trying to do.

• Committed: Volunteer activities don’t always require a lot of time, but the organization does depend on people keeping their word and commitments. It is critical to any effort that volunteers actually show up or find someone else who can fill in. This might be basic, but it can’t be overstressed how important it is.

• People-centered: lt’s important for volunteers to make every effort to get to know the people they are working with, to show a genuine interest, and to care about building relationships with the people they are serving. Those efforts are what make the organization grow and be successful.

If you are an interested, committed and people-centered person, then click here to find a race near you — it’s a good first step toward building a better community.

Photo credit by Geoff Haas. 

This enlightened thought inspired me to travel through the forty-eight contiguous states in forty-eight weeks doing volunteer, service, and charity work. The main goal was to promote a “service-to-others” lifestyle by lending a hand to people and organizations of all ages, backgrounds, and affiliations.

While the “ah-ha” moment came all at once, getting to that point took several months to figure out what I loved to do and how each of those things worked together.

Here are some ideas to get you to your own epiphany and out the door on a volunteer adventure:

Get started today.
When I was on the road, I would get emails from individuals wanting to do exactly what I was doing. The thought of traveling across the country, doing giant acts of service, and meeting interesting people carried with it a romantic, Hemingway-type of notion that this was “truly” living. It was amazing to me that when I would respond by asking the person if they were involved with any volunteer activities in their own community, their reply would often be, “no.”

Trust me, if you are not helping out in your own community, you will probably not be helping out in other communities. Start today by getting involved wherever you might be.

Like Theodore Roosevelt once said, “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.”

Write it down.
Honestly, right after the “epiphany in the shower” moment, I actually dismissed the idea as being stupid and impractical.

My mind was flooded with questions and doubts, challenging the validity of the journey.

• How can I afford to do this?
• Where will I find places to volunteer?
• What about my personal safety?

These are all valid concerns — and it wasn’t until I wrote down what I was trying to accomplish that things really started to come together. I didn’t write out a thousand page dissertation, but I did use a handful of bullet points to keep me focused and on the right track.

Begin with the basics:

• What is my mission?
• Why do I want to do this?
• How will I know if I’m succeeding?
• Who do I want to help?

There is something about having your adventure stare back at you from a sheet of paper. I don’t know what it is, but somehow, it makes it more attainable. Having your journey written out also helps when sharing your vision with others.

Try something new.
I’m a variety person. I simply don’t like to do the same thing over and over. This was apparent as I travelled along, working together with environmental services, animal rescues, soup kitchens, knitting groups, art foundations, elderly care, and everything in between.

What I learned from serving in all these different settings is that I have something to offer each one. Really, it just takes a willing person with a good attitude asking the question, “what can I do to help?”

In this day and age, there are so many resources available to help you find a place to serve, like AARP’s Create The Good. It’s a great place to start your search as they offer volunteer opportunity listings along with “how-to” guides to get involved with almost aspect of serving in your community.

The next question is: What are you waiting for?