3 Easy Ways to Volunteer Your Time Right Now

It’s times like these when we feel most compelled to help. But with the need for self-quarantine and social distancing, the standard, go-to options to volunteer our time aren’t an option. So, what can we do? With many of us watching our spending, offering big cash donations to charities may not be possible. But that doesn’t mean we can’t contribute some goodness to our communities.

Here are three ways you can make a positive difference in your free time.

1. Give blood.

Despite these uncertain times, the need for blood, blood platelets, and plasma donations remains constant. “As part of our nation’s critical infrastructure, healthy individuals can still donate in areas that have issued shelter in place declarations,” shared the American Red Cross . “The Red Cross follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and volunteer donors are the only source of blood for those in need.” Appointments to donate blood can be scheduled online. Remember, volunteering one hour of your free time could literally save someone’s life.

2. Post positive online reviews for local businesses.

Ensuring the health and safety of people around us is important. But our local businesses have suffered a major financial hit as a result of those restrictions. If you have money to spend, it’s easy to support local businesses by shopping where possible.

But another way to pay it forward is to share an online review about the positive experience you encountered at a local business or restaurant. Hey, we could all use some good news, and posting helpful tips, sharing favorite dishes, or raving about some exemplary service is greatly appreciated by merchants.

3. Make homemade face masks

They are easy to make, essential to slowing the spread of contagious diseases, and in short supply. As the need for face masks extends beyond hospital corridors and into public life, people are discovering that medical face masks are getting harder and harder to find. Fortunately, sewing face masks is easy , and it’s a great way to do your part to support current health strategies.

With the current situation taking on global proportions, it’s sometimes hard to believe that we can do something in an hour or a day that could make an impact—but we can. These three ideas prove that the best gift you can give to others in need is yourself.