Imagine A World Where "Everyone Cared"

Anyone can do a little something to give back to the community, even through acts of compassion towards others. In society, we fail to recognize the injustices of the world; but, mainstream media works to bring these issues to light. Often, media such as movies, magazines, and advertisements show issues relating to humanitarian injustice and making society aware of these issues. For instance, Nickelback, a rather well-known Canadian rock band, reminds us of the meaning of being compassionate and working to build a more peaceful world by shedding light on humanitarian issues many fail to acknowledge. In their song "If Everyone Cared," the band makes listeners aware of the fact that the world could be heading towards a state of peace if everyone cared about each other and helped each other in instances of social injustice. Check out the music video!

"When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know peace" 

~ Jimi Hendrix

**Check here for the song lyrics!

Help Yourself...with Healthy Volunteering?

April has arrived, and so has Spring here in Ithaca. The sun is shining and the cold chill of winter has disappeared (hopefully) for good! As you continue to give back to those in need, I encourage you to stop every once in a while and take care of yourself socially, emotionally, and physically. So here are some tips that allow you to be active and enjoy the weather while volunteering and staying healthy!

Tip #1 - Volunteer outside: After spending all winter volunteering at shelters and local places indoors, why not divert towards community outreach programs that are located outdoors? Spring is the perfect time to help out at fundraisers for local charities and organizations; for, there are many outdoor fundraisers which allow you to have fun while raising money. Often, Spring fundraisers include holding car washes or participating in runs/walks for charity. Relay for Life, for instance, is an event held outdoors for 12- to 24-hours through work or school. All proceeds go towards the American Cancer Society. Grab a team and go walk!

Tip #2 - Sign up for a 5K Run/Walk: Too busy to become a participant of Relay for Life? Join a run/walk for a shorter period of time by signing up for a 5K! There are many 5K events in several major cities, including Los Angeles, Washington D.C., and New York City. Not only that, but 5K runs are sure to be a blast if you team up with friends. Many 5Ks benefit a local organization, registration fees are fairly cheap, and almost all of them have a theme, such as the Color Run, Mud Run, and Krispy Kreme Challenge. Which 5K will you choose?

Tip #3 - Coach a little league: For those who like interaction rather than just a simple fundraiser, try out coaching. Most sports organizations have an outdoor league in which they are always searching for young coaches, especially for little league teams. Sports, like basketball, soccer, and baseball, often have summer leagues and outdoor club teams no matter what age group. If you have a favorite sport you love and enjoy interacting with little children, coaching an outdoor sports league is the perfect activity -- this is a good way to perform community outreach while participating in a sport of your interest.

Tip #4 - Outdoor chores: One of the best ways to help out and get some sun is to perform chores that are outdoors, for example, mowing the lawn. Neighbors who lack the ability to perform these common outdoor housekeeping often rely on professionals who come on a regular basis; however, you can reach out to them and offer your services for free. Now, no one enjoys performing chores, but think of it as a community outreach service. Volunteering to complete a neighbor's chores allow you to not only get some Vitamin D, but also to interact with your neighbors and meet new people. Tasks to consider are mowing the lawn, gardening, and trimming the trees. 

Photo credit: http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/c2/aa/6a/c2aa6a1517633a5f948c3b9bf5d810b3.jpg