Day 13 of 20 - Autumnal Equinox Series: GIVE

 October 21, 2020

Giving to others is one of the best ways to receive joy and fill your spirit, and there are endless ways to give aside from just monetary donations. Here are a few ideas:

DONATE ITEMS.
As a continuation of yesterday’s post about decluttering, donating some of your items is a wonderful way to get them out of your house and into someone else’s hands who really needs them. Household items, clothes, shoes, linens, etc. The pandemic has made these needs even greater. Goodwill and Salvation Army are good options, but also consider taking them directly to a local shelter such as:

• Compass House in Buffalo - shelter for runaway and homeless youth ages 12-17;
• Buffalo City Mission - shelter for males
• Cornerstone Manor - shelter for women and children
• Haven House - shelter for domestic violence victims

Here’s a link for these and more: https://www2.erie.gov/health/index.php?q=housing-assistancehomeless-shelters

VOLUNTEER YOUR TIME.
The above shelters or a food pantry could probably use some extra hands, and is especially needed during the holidays. Some local food pantries are listed here: https://www.foodpantries.org/ci/ny-buffalo

DONATE BLOOD AND/OR PLATELETS.
Blood is always in demand and is needed every day to save lives. You can even get a $5 gift card for it: https://www.redcrossblood.org

DONATE BONE MARROW.
This is another way to save lives. For patients with blood cancers, a bone marrow transplant can lead to remission or even a cure. https://bethematch.org/support-the-cause/donate-bone-marrow/

BECOME AN ORGAN DONOR. 

I don’t recommend dying anytime soon, but consider registering to become an organ donor. One person could potentially save eight lives, or improve as many as sixty lives and enhance the eyesight of two people. It could also help your family through the grieving process, knowing that their loved one is helping to save the lives of others. https://www.organdonor.gov/register.html

GIVE LOVE.
This is the most needed commodity of all - especially right now. All the above are also expressions of love, but here are some other even easier ideas: if you’re annoyed with someone either online or in real life, show some love by giving the gift of compassion and patience by responding with love or not at all. Give a compliment. Smile and wave to your neighbor. You’d be surprised at how a simple kind gesture can make the biggest difference in someone’s day. Kindness is contagious, and it’s healthy for your spirit, too.

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