4 ways to make time to volunteer post-grad
Dropping off one can to a local food bank each week is a quick way to help others, even with your busy schedule.
Raking leaves on a crisp fall day, pushing wheelchairs down stark hospital hallways, crouching amidst tiny, seemingly play-sized little desks in preschools (did we really sit in those miniature chairs once?). For some, community service in high school is inevitable and as likely as breathing. Not only are students altruistically providing services and giving back to the community, volunteering stacks a resume for college applications.
Once in college, time becomes precious and scarce. Schoolwork and jobs take their toll. Balancing social lives and extracurricular activities and sports and jobs and internships and Greek life and exercise leaves sleep-deprived students aching to make it to Friday. In short, community service often falls to the bottom of the to-do list for many students.
As a post-grad with too many jobs attempting to scrape together enough money to buy a car and an apartment, I asked myself one day when the last time I’d done something for others that wasn’t designed to advance my career -- pathetically, I couldn’t think of anything substantial! As a crazy-busy twenty-something, I don’t have piles of time to spend at the hospital these days, and a good percentage of young professionals, post-grads and college students simply don’t either. Taking the time, however, to do one or two of these simple ideas will have an impact on the world around you without requiring an impractical time commitment.
1. Writers, write on. I rectified my lack of service by joining a Letter-Writing Team with a non-profit called Soldiers' Angels. This team sends extra cards and letters to members of the American military overseas that don’t receive much contact from home, with a new address (or two) each week.
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Time commitment: It takes about 15 minutes to write each letter, including a post-office run and an overseas stamp.
How to join: Visit the Soldiers' Angels website to sign up; it is free to join.
2. Give a run for your money. If you’re already hitting the gym every day, put those hours of work toward something that will benefit others and simultaneously provide you with a goal. The Color Run is a paint-splattered 5k that promotes health and wellness while raising funds for a local charity in each city that it visits.
Time commitment: Depending on your exercise routine, any time spent at the gym or exercising outdoors.
How to join: There’s a wide assortment of marathons and events for charity available online. Search for your city’s upcoming events to find local runs and walks, or look at national programs such as Relay for Life to find your location.
3. Find a foodie. Every little bit counts. Make a point to drop off one can of food (or more if you choose) at your local food bank each week. Finding a food bank on your route to work or school will be a convenient stop.
Time commitment: Depending on your food bank location, anywhere from 15 minutes to 45 minutes and 60 cents to $2 for each can.
How to join: Search by your zip code to find the closest food bank, and call to find more information about local drop-off policies.
4. Are you in the know? Sometimes, half the battle is understanding current world issues and awareness of what areas could use your help. Even if you don’t have the time or energy to directly volunteer, catch up on the news over your coffee each morning. Motivation is a direct derivative of passion, and awareness often leads to action.
Time commitment: Ten minutes each day.
Marguerite Happe is the digital editor at Sotheby's Artful Living Magazine. In addition to Artful Living, she has written for the Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune, Paste BN College, CollegeFashionista.uk and worked as a fashion writer for the University of Limerick's An Focal student newspaper.
This story originally appeared on the Paste BN College blog, a news source produced for college students by student journalists. The blog closed in September of 2017.