Helping Hands Archives - Good Matters™

Why Is Intersectionality Important?

Why is intersectionality important? This guide to intersectionality will explain using examples to help you become a stronger ally.

Animal Rights vs. Animal Welfare: What's the Difference?

Here's the difference between animal rights vs. animal welfare and how you can support animals in your community and beyond.

Best Animal Charity to Donate to and How to Choose

If you are wondering which is the best animal charity to donate to, consider how you want to contribute and what causes you want to support.

What Is Healthcare Reform? 4 Ways to Get Involved

Healthcare should be affordable, accessible, and of sound quality. Want to take a stance? Learn what is healthcare reform and how to get involved.

5 International Women's Day Ideas: Meaningful Ways to Celebrate

A global day of celebration, March 8 marks International Women's Day. Here are some International Women's Day ideas to take action in support of women.

How to Get Involved in Local Government: 3 Ways to Contribute to Your Community

Are you wondering how to get involved in local government? Here are three ideas to get you started.

How to Vote with Your Wallet

Elections aren't the only times you can vote for sustainable practices. For daily purchases, vote with your wallet and make your values known.

Helping Low Income Students Succeed: What You Can Do to Reduce the Achievement Gap

Helping low income students succeed means closing the achievement gap in education. Here are some ways you can help in your community.

How to Start a Free Food Pantry and Where to Donate Food

Wondering where to donate food for those in need? Here's how to create your own free food pantry and provide for your community.

Volunteering as an Election Poll Worker: What to Know

As an election poll worker, you are promoting civic engagement and helping to keep elections free and fair. Learn how to help at your local polling site.

How to Start a Volunteer Program at Work

If you are curious about how to start a volunteer program at work, follow these steps to get started and give back while building camaraderie.

How to Host a Virtual Party That's Just as Fun as an In-Person One

Virtual parties are an entertaining way to connect. Learn how to host a virtual party and keep your loved ones close, even from afar.

How Does Bone Marrow Donation Work?

How does bone marrow donation work? Learn how this meaningful contribution can save someone's life.

Ways to Combat Food Insecurity in Your Community

Many communities are coming together and finding ways to combat food insecurity. It's an inspiring movement that you can be a part of, too.

Volunteer Vacations for Families: 4 Questions to Ask Before Booking a Trip

Learn more about child-friendly volunteer vacations and what questions to ask before planning your trip.

What Is Plasma Donation?

Are you wondering—what is plasma donation? You are not alone. Here's how this type of donation can provide lifesaving treatment to those who need it.

Can You Make a Pet Blood Donation?

The idea of a pet blood donation is relatively new, and by raising awareness to the process, the lives of more cats and dogs can possibly be saved.

How to Donate Blood: Your Questions Answered

Blood donations save lives. If you have never donated before, learn how to donate blood, why your donation is needed, and where you can donate.

Spring Cleaning Donations: Dos and Don'ts

Spring cleaning donations help to reduce landfill waste. After you clean your home, why not give your never worn or gently used items a second life?

How to Teach Kids to Share

As a parent, you want your child to understand the value of sharing with others. Check out these simple tips on how to teach kids to share.

Is It Better to Donate Time or Money?

Is it better to donate time or money? The truth is, both choices have positive impacts and are worthwhile pursuits. Explore the impactful ways to give.

Ideas for a No-Gift Christmas

If you are looking to forgo the stress and packaging waste of the holiday season, try these no-gift Christmas ideas.

5 Ideas for Volunteering as a Couple

Volunteering as a couple doubles your charitable impact and strengthens your bond while you support a cause that you both love. Here are five ideas.

How to Organize a 5K Charity Run

Learn how to organize a 5K charity run in your community. It's more doable than you may think!

Animal Shelter Volunteering: How to Get Started and What to Expect

Animal shelter volunteering is an essential part of providing a safe place for animals. Here's what you may expect as a volunteer at a local shelter.

5 Acts of Kindness to Do with the Kids

Here are a handful of acts of kindness that make great family activities for you and the kids. From there, get creative with your own ideas!

How to Start Pet Fostering

If you're considering pet fostering to make an impact on your community, learn how to get started and what it takes to become a temporary pet parent.

Charity Crowdfunding to Support Your Favorite Cause

Want to make an impact? Consider charity crowdfunding. Mobilize your friends, family, and neighbors and combine small dollar amounts for big results.

Get Fit with a Charity Stair Climb

Get active! Training and completing a charity stair climb gives you the opportunity to make friends and fundraise for a worthwhile cause.

6 Ways to Improve the Environment in Your Neighborhood

There are countless ways to improve the environment in your neighborhood. Here are a few ideas to get your community thinking a little greener.

Help for the Holidays: Ten Days of Giving

Bringing your family together to help for the holidays brings you closer together, spreads cheer to those in need, and celebrates the spirit of the season.

How to Pick a Charity

If you are wondering how to pick a charity, you are not alone. By researching and asking thoughtful questions, you can be confident about your gift.

Reading to Animals at a Shelter Helps Kids and Critters Alike

Reading to animals can help your child develop their reading skills while socializing adoptable animals. Learn how to join in!

Everyone Can Take First-Aid Classes

Everyone can take first-aid classes to be prepared for common emergencies. You may never 'need' to use your training, but you will be ready for anything.

How to Donate a Car to Charity

Declutter the garage and help a favorite charity all at the same time. Here's how to donate a car to a nonprofit organization.

DIY Little Free Library Ideas

Here are some Little Free Library ideas to help you start one of these book-sharing hubs in your community.

Virtual Volunteer Opportunities You Can Do from Home

Virtual volunteer opportunities allow you to give back from anywhere that has an internet connection. Do real-world good by helping in the virtual realm.

Benefits of Volunteering: Improve Your Health and Well-Being

Improving your community is one of the benefits of volunteering. But donating time and energy can improve your own life, too.

Animal Shelter Birthday Party Tips and Ideas

Celebrate your child's big day in a charitable way with an animal shelter birthday party.

Summer Volunteering: Helping the Less Fortunate This Season

Make helping the less fortunate a priority for your family. The benefits of summer volunteering, for your community and your family, are year-round.

Summer Volunteering Programs for Teens

Summer volunteering programs for teens give your child the chance to make an impact as a foster home volunteer, gardening guru or tech genius.

Ways to Be a Blood Drive Volunteer

Giving blood may not be an option for everyone, but anyone can help the cause as a blood drive volunteer.

Be a Memorial Day Volunteer and Spend Your Holiday Giving Back

Consider being a Memorial Day volunteer. You and your family can make difference by giving your time and energy to a military cemetery cleanup effort.

Become a Senior Center Volunteer: Learn from Every Generation in Your Community

Consider becoming a senior center volunteer and encourage your family to join you.

Helping Someone Grieve: 8 Small Ways to Support Your Loved One

Helping someone grieve starts with a few small gestures. Here's how you can help your loved one in this difficult time.

Art Volunteer Opportunities Beautifying Your City

Painting murals and updating buildings can lead to friendships, fun, and a sense of pride. Seek art volunteer opportunities in your city.

Community Service for Kids How to Launch a Child's Volunteer Spirit

When thinking of volunteering as a family, it helps to think of community service for kids. Connect your family to causes you care about.

What to Donate to Animal Shelters 5 Essential Items

If you've ever wondered what to donate to animal shelters, the answer may be found right in your own home in the form of comfort items and gift cards.

Celebrate Black History Month Learn Grow and Volunteer

Celebrate Black History Month by volunteering at a civil rights organization. Or, learn more at a historical society or library.

4 Holiday Volunteer Opportunities the Whole Family Will Love

From volunteering at a soup kitchen to shoveling a neighbor's walk, holiday volunteer opportunities lead to lasting memories with family and friends.

What to Donate to Charity for Disaster Relief

In some cases, well-meaning contributions can hurt disaster relief efforts. This is what to donate to charity that will actually help.

Teaching Kids Sustainable Food Practices

Check out these engaging ways to teach kids about sustainable food practices.

Creating a Haunted House for Charity

Making a haunted house for charity is a fun way to get into the spirit of the season while giving back.

Apple Picking For Charity: 4 Places to Donate Fresh Fruit

This fall, pack up the family and go apple picking for charity. Plan to make seasonal treats for yourself and donate fruit to those in need.

Honoring While Helping Families in Need: 7 Ways to Build Confidence

Don't fall into the trap of patronizing those you serve. Try helping families in need while boosting the dignity of everyone involved. Here's how.

Fall Volunteer Opportunities to Bring Halloween to Your Local Senior

Teach your little witches and superheroes there's more to Halloween than face paint and sweet candy treats, and explore fall volunteer opportunities.

How Volunteering With Young Adults Benefits the Whole Community

When volunteering with young adults, many mentors are surprised to find who benefits most. Here's how to get involved in the lives of a local youth, today.

How to Plan a Corporate Volunteering Event

Challenge your employer to go above and beyond. Here's how to tackle a corporate volunteering project.

Reduce Waste at Home with JoAnne Murphy, Head of Marketing at Tom's of

JoAnne Murphy brings the values of Tom's of Maine to her family by teaching them how to reduce waste at home and give back to the community.

What is the Gender Pay Gap?

What is the gender pay gap? Here's the gender pay gap explained so you can better understand how to create equality in the workplace.

Be a Park Cleanup Volunteer with Your Whole Family

Being a park cleanup volunteer is the ultimate job for your entire family. Find out the ways you and your clan can protect and preserve your local area.

Embracing Voluntourism to Plan a Family Vacation That Gives Back

Your family vacation is coming up quick, but you want to make it extra special. Look into voluntourism opportunities near where your family will be.

Become a Beach Cleanup Volunteer This Summer

As you gear up to head out to the beach this summer, consider the impact you can make on the environment by becoming a beach cleanup volunteer.

A Grassroots Coat Drive: How to Hold Your Own

Now is the perfect time to hold your own coat drive, as it's before local families find themselves in need of more layers. Here's how to hold your own.

Organize a Community Book Drive in Your Neighborhood

A book drive is a great way to give back to the community, build friendships, and encourage reading. Find out how to get one started.

Be a Summer Camp Volunteer in Your Community

Bring on the bonfires and ghost stories. Becoming a summer camp volunteer is a fabulous way to give back to your community. Find out more here.

How to Donate Appliances and Kitchen Tools to a Shelter

Community centers appreciate more than just clothing and food donations. Donate appliances both big and small.

Companies that Help the Environment: An Interview with Seamus Conlin

Companies that help the environment let you protect the planet and get quality products. Find out about how Seamus Conlin of Tom's of Maine embodies this.

What to Donate to a Food Drive to Give What They Actually Need

Have you ever wondered what to donate to a food drive? You have so many options, but not all nonperisables are created equal. Find out more here.

8 Ways to Fundraise for School to Get Your Kids Involved

Most philanthropic donors have a soft spot for local students and educators. Use these brilliant ways to fundraise for school kids and teachers.

Helping Families in Need by Hosting a Fun Bingo Night

Have fun while helping families in need by hosting a bingo night for kids. The community will have a blast while your kids learn the value of giving back.

How to Reduce Climate Change by Planting a Tree for Earth Day

Learn how to reduce climate change with just a small act. Planting a tree with your family this Earth Day can do just that!

11 Ways to Volunteer at a Farm This Winter (with Kids!)

Your family can make a difference this winter, if you choose to volunteer at a farm. Here are 11 ways you can help your local farmer when it gets colder.

Creative Ways to Donate Money When Things Feel Tight

Hearing about a need can be discouraging if you're out of cash. Fortunately, though, you can still help. Here are some more creative ways to donate money.

Pets as Therapy Volunteers: How to Get Your Four-Legged Friends

Using pets as therapy volunteers is a great opportunity for every member of your family (including the four-legged ones) to give back to the community.

Organize a Sock Drive for Homeless Neighbors to Benefit Your Community

No one should go without warm, dry socks, but too often, the needy do. Here's a step-by-step for hosting your own sock drive for homeless locals near you.

4 Inspiring Neighbor Stories and How to Help the Same Way

Good neighbors rally around one another when the seasons change their routine. Here are lovely neighbor stories and six ways you can help your community.

Fun Volunteer Opportunities for Kids, by Kids

Volunteer opportunities for kids can teach leadership skills and build character. But they should also incorporate play, silliness, and fun. Here's how.

3 Easy, Safe Ideas for Helping Homeless Families

Our local communities face many challenges, hard for kids to understand. Teach your children to give back with 3 ideas for helping homeless families.

Places to Do Community Service and Tips for Making Time to Volunteer

Volunteering can be part of your weekly schedule. Here are a few volunteering tips and places to do community service for you to explore!

Strengthen Your Neighborhood Community with These Ideas for Fall

You can be the person who helps build a close neighborhood community in your area. Try these simple ideas to strengthen your neighborly bond.

Have Fun Helping Animals with Your Family

Helping animals with your family is a rewarding way to give back. Whether playing with shelter pets or cleaning up habitats, start giving back today.

33 Ways to Offer Support for Parents in Your Community

Tangible support for parents comes in many forms. Here are a few dozen creative ways to lend a hand to parents near you that'll pay big dividends.

Little Red Bird Sanctuary Helps Hens in Need: Goodness Grant Series

Tom's of Maine spreads goodness to often overlooked rescue animals at the Little Red Bird Sanctuary including chickens, ducks, pigeons, turkeys, and more.

Visit a Wildlife Rescue Center, Discover Ways to Protect Local Animals

Get your kids excited about conservation with a visit to a local wildlife rescue center. To help the animals in your area, here are a few extra ideas.

5 After-School Volunteer Programs and Activities for Kids

Make the most of your afternoons with these volunteer programs that help your kids learn to give back while having fun.

5 Volunteer Opportunities for Kids Who Are Shy

There is a place for you and your reticent child in volunteerism. Here are volunteer opportunities for kids who enjoy quiet, predictable environments.

Helping Animals: 5 Easy Ways to Make a Difference

Helping animals is a great way for your family to give back and truly make a difference for wildlife, farm animals, shelter pets, and animals everywhere.

Choosing a Charity with Your Kids

Choosing a charity your children will commit to isn't always easy. Here are a few ways you can inspire them to give back.

KultureCity Uses Autism Resources to Make Birmingham Sensory-Friendly

KultureCity provides autism resources and programming to help autistic children associate with the world and public in an easier way.

Bake Sale Ideas and Recipes to Do with Your Kids

This summer, introduce your own child to the magic of creating something delicious in your kitchen for a worthy cause. Check out these bake sale ideas.

5 Outdoor Volunteering Opportunities to Help Give Back in the Sun

Outdoor volunteering is the perfect way to spend a long summer day or even a week for that matter. Try one of these opportunities to start giving back.

8 Creative Donation Ideas beyond Clothes and Money

Want to give more than money? Here are eight creative donation ideas, from hair to airline points, that will inspire you to give outside the box.

3 Community Service Ideas for Teens and Parents to Do Together

As your preteen thinks about the future, it's a good idea to bring up a few community service ideas for teens you can do together. Try these:

Volunteer Work for 13-Year-Olds: 3 Ways to Get Involved

How do you find volunteer work for 13-year-olds that can keep them entertained and engaged? Simple: give back together. Here's how.

5 Easy Volunteer Ideas for Giving Back

Easy volunteer ideas are everywhere, even for those with little free time. Try one of these opportunities that takes an hour or less and start giving back.