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To help you know how you can serve, here are a few ways you can make a difference in your community in only two hours or less.
Donate plasma
If you're looking to really make a difference, donating plasma is one way to do so. There is a constant need for donors whose plasma is used to make medicines that help fight against life-threatening illnesses such as hemophilia, tetanus and immune deficiency.
Patients of plasma donations are not the only ones who benefit; donors can benefit as well. Some of these benefits include potentially reducing bad cholesterol levels and receiving a free mini health checkups at each donation. If you want to help someone by giving them a chance at a better life, consider being a plasma donor.
Photo credit: Shutterstock
Pick up litter
It doesn't get much simpler than throwing away litter scattered along the side of a roadway, in a park or in other places around your community. If every person picked up a single piece of trash a day, imagine how much cleaner our environment would be. Spend an hour picking up litter at a place where you feel could use a good cleanup and your efforts definitely won't go unnoticed.
Serve at a local food bank
Volunteers are always needed at food banks. According to the Utah Food Bank, volunteers spent 98,000 hours last year helping out at their warehouse, which is the same as 47 full-time employees. If you're not able to volunteer your time at a food bank during the hours they are open, you can always give food or donate money as well.
Photo credit: Shutterstock
Provide assistance at an animal shelter
Many dogs, cats and other animals are abandoned and taken to an animal shelter if there is nowhere else for them to go. Most shelters depend on volunteers in order to be able to take care of animals that may be sick or starving. You can help animals by providing them with the love and attention they deserve.
Volunteer at a public school
A great way to interact with others in your community, especially if you have younger children, is by volunteering at public schools. There are many opportunities to be a tutor, an after school chaperone and many other school-related roles to help students succeed and stay safe. Decide what skills you have that could benefit students at a public school and volunteer to make a difference.
