RESOLVE TO IMPROVE OUR COMMUNITY
Feeling the burn from finally getting off the couch and into the gym? Nicotine cravings from kicking the smoking habit jangling nerves? We are just two or three days into sticking to New Year’s resolutions and the pain could already be real. Stick with it, however, and you will be proud of yourself when 2019 rolls around.
There are other, community-minded resolutions you could set and keep that will not only give you a sense of satisfaction but make where you live a better place. Here are five.
1. Volunteer your time. Whether it is at a single event or on a weekly basis, volunteers are the backbone of many organizations. From being a tutor to a new Canadian with READ Saskatoon or hosting a water station at the Queen City Marathon, the opportunities are almost endless. Most people who volunteer are quick to point out that they get way more than they give. 2. Follow your bliss. Are you fantastic at baking? Drop some off for the folks at the Saskatoon Community Clinic or Union Gospel Mission. Have talent with accounting and management? Many organization boards need this expertise. Volunteering does not need to involve working outside your comfort zone. In fact, it is best to look at finding something you are good at and enjoy when choosing a cause. Bring positive energy along with your time.
3. Take in some local talent. So many times, people head out to concerts or plays while they are on holiday, but don’t take advantage of the same opportunities in their own hometown. Go to an art show featuring local artists. Buy a CD from a Saskatchewan artist at a bar or festival. Take in a play at the Fringe. With corporate donations being less assured, the rest of us need to play our part.
4. Involve the whole family. Set a good example for the kids or grandkids by helping them find a way to give back to the community. All of us could pull our eyes off our phones more, and look at what is happening around us.
5. Donations work. For those who can, financial donations are always needed and welcomed by worthy causes. Of course, there is the benefit of a tax credit for these gifts as well. Technology has made it easier than ever to give, through setting up electronic transfers monthly or through one-time gifts. Some groups also need goods, like clothing, but cash gifts allow them to buy exactly what they need.
By this time next year, some giving will make you look back at 2018 with a sense of accomplishment.