If you’re looking for a reason to get out there and do more good, look no further. April has been named Global Volunteer Month as a time to bring people together to volunteer from across the world. Last year at the height of the global pandemic, Global Volunteer Month was started by the 501(c)(3) Points of Light. The initiative comes as no surprise from this organization that says: “We envision a world in which everyone discovers the power to make a difference, creating healthy communities in vibrant, participatory societies.”
Remember, the process is simple. Get out there and get involved. If you aren’t sure where to start, check out these ideas to take part in Global Volunteer Month!
Choose a Cause
While you can choose to take part in Global Volunteer Month in whatever capacity and for any cause you like, they have conveniently outlined various causes for you to consider during different time periods of the month. Use this list as a way to think outside the box from organizations you normally support. In the end, you can always stick to an organization that you’re deeply committed to helping. Here are the various areas Points of Light suggests:
- April 1-5: Education
- April 6-12: Human and Civil Rights
- April 13-19: Poverty and Inequality
- April 20-26: Environment
- April 27-30: Health and Wellness
Involve Your Friends and Family
Volunteering is more fun when done together! Ask your family and friends to come along and join in. If you have children, it’s a great idea to start their volunteering efforts early. You have the opportunity to set a good example for them while spending quality time together. The sooner you start, the more likely they’ll be to continue their philanthropic efforts into the future. Make sure to discuss causes that might be important to your children instead of defaulting to causes you already support. While it’s a great idea to expose them to the same causes you care about, they’ll be more likely to continue involvement if they share the same passion. Introduce them to a variety of causes and see what sticks.
Celebrate “Good Deeds Day”
This year “Good Deeds Day” falls on April 11. Every year on this day, thousands of people from across the world come together (miles apart) by taking the day to practice good deeds where they live. Examples of good deeds you can practice include:
- Buy a coworker a coffee.
- Do a random favor for a friend.
- Hand out flowers to strangers.
- Pay for somebody’s dinner.
- Spend the day volunteering.
- Help an elderly neighbor with errands.
The entire month of April is dedicated to participating in Global Volunteer Month, but you can still practice year-round. Do what you can, when you can, and remember that small efforts are a big part of making the world a better place. Even if you use this month to volunteer once, you’re still putting good vibes out into the world. Remember to take each day and do what you can to help each other out. Now get out there and get to volunteering!
