Wouldn’t it be great if we all chipped in a little to make the world a better place?
We may not all be able to start a charitable foundation or build homes for the needy, but there are other ways to contribute selflessly to your cause.
Technology today makes it so easy to make a difference — you don’t even have to leave your home!
Extroverted? Introverted? Rich? Poor? It doesn’t matter!
Doing good isn’t limited by external factors. If you have a calling in your heart to do selfless acts, the world needs you.
Whether you want to take action, donate, or volunteer in other ways, there’s a way for you to help. Here are five altruistic ways you can change someone’s world from your apartment.
1. Write That Review
When we shop online or at brick-and-mortar stores, it’s a given that there’s going to be a request for feedback.
Receipts often have survey links, and online purchases have follow-up email requests.
These reviews might seem pesky to you, but they are essential to the business. It’s especially true for locally-owned shops or small online establishments.
This attempt at getting your opinion of a transaction serves multiple purposes to the business:
● The managers keep a pulse on the temperature of their customers.
● They can gauge which employees are doing well and which ones need more training (or other further actions).
● Address disgruntled customers quickly before they turn to an official, permanent review site, or badmouth the store vocally in the community.
When someone has a smooth customer experience, they often take it for granted. But those with a bad experience are more likely to complain in surveys and reviews.
Businesses need good reviews to counteract those negatives and encourage more customers. Take a few minutes to fill out a survey or do an Amazon or Yelp review.
2. Volunteer Online
Have you ever wanted to help make a difference but didn’t think you had anything to offer? Or you didn’t know where to start?
The fact that you have the heart to want to help is enough to jump into volunteering, and you can do a lot of it from your apartment.
Everyone has a unique talent of their own. There are people out in the world who can't do what you take for granted. Look for volunteer opportunities that make use of your natural skills, like:
● Recording yourself and your child reading a book and sending the video to the elderly in nursing homes
● Adding captions or translations to videos to bridge the language and hearing impaired barrier
● Offering tutoring services to low-income students in subjects you’re competent in
● Using your proofreading skills to edit ebooks.
Once you start researching volunteer opportunities that you can do from home, the possibilities will amaze you. There are so many needs to fill, and you have the skills and the heart to help.
Check out these links to find more volunteer roles:
● Thrivent
There is truly something for everyone if you want to volunteer your time.
3. Make Someone’s Day Online
If you scroll through your social media feed regularly, chances are you’ve seen a lot of negativity.
Studies have shown that as individuals, we are more likely to share good experiences. But news coverage — the predominant source of information — shares mostly unfortunate events.
This can make it seem like there is more “bad” than “good” in the world, but you can help dispel that myth.
Take some time each day, or a few times a week, to find ways to make someone’s day. If you’re a writer, start a motivational blog or a Facebook page dedicated to positive news and comments.
If that doesn’t interest you, but you’re on social media anyway, help stop the spread of negativity. Follow social media posts and write compliments when you see trolls. They’re nothing but online bullies, and bullies will back down when they’re called out on their actions.
Above all, make sure you try to avoid negative posts on your own social media.
4. Invite Others to Your Home
Being selfless at home doesn’t have to be a solitary endeavor. If you’re a people person, you can invite others to your home in acts of kindness.
Do you have friends with younger children who could use a break?
Offer to babysit for those stressed parents in need of a night out together.
Is your neighborhood sprinkled with lonely people who could use some company and a hearty meal?
Set up a regular night weekly or monthly, where you invite seniors or hungry individuals for a drop-in dinner in your home. You don’t even have to cook. Grab some frozen pizzas or the meal deals at a fast food joint.
If you’re comfortable with it, work on spreading blessings from your home by including others.
5. Find a Charitable Cause
One of the most common ways to volunteer from home is to find a charitable organization that speaks to you. You can donate to the cause or start a donation fund to teach others about the problem.
Before you donate, don't automatically trust that the charity is legitimate. Sites like Charity Navigator will match you to credible nonprofit organizations.
Read the fine print if you’re starting a donation fund. Facebook, for instance, has a popular charitable cause option. But if you don’t meet your goal, the donated funds stay in cyberspace until that target or a minimum of $100, is obtained.
Conclusion
Volunteering to help others is a welcome act worldwide. You can do this in your community, around the globe, or from the comfort of your home.
If the calling to do something charitable is in you, these five selfless things can get you started. You may not be able to change the whole world, but you can help make someone else’s existence a little better without leaving your apartment.
[Author Bio]
Aaron Hunt is the property manager for Prime Place Arrow. He can be reached by email at [email protected] or by call or text at 402-858-2858.