Practical Suggestions for Community Service (Part Three)

Most of us want to do some service but do not know where to start. So perhaps it is a good idea to revisit this concept, and with the help of the list below, look at the possibilities of service open to us. There are countless ways that we can serve, and you can explore many other ways to serve your fellow human beings. If you approach the opportunity to serve others with a radiant countenance and the pure motivation of kindness and love, you’ll find that the gifts you give will come back to you a thousandfold.

• Driving people to appointments. When people are sick, they are overwhelmed by their difficulties and their attempts to look after themselves. They may, therefore, be unable to drive themselves safely. Driving them to appointments keeps them safe and makes them feel cared for, which helps the healing process.
• Shopping for your neighbours in need. Every person will go through some problems such as sickness or an accident. Being there in a time of need and helping with some of the chores will make them feel appreciated and loved.
• Cleaning homes of people who cannot do it themselves. This reminds me of stories of great souls who did that and cared for the sick.
• Volunteering in women’s centres. These centres provide help and support to the victims of domestic violence and other issues, and there may be volunteer opportunities to assist in that work.
• Volunteering for the Red Cross/ Red Crescent. This organization provides a variety of services, one of which is collecting blood, and for that, they need volunteers to donate blood and also to care for those donating.
• Volunteering in treatment facilities and similar organizations. These centres are very specialized, and training may be needed to help out, but there is always a need for caring helpers in this field.
• Cleaning roads and highways or cleaning garbage in your neighbourhood or on trails. Many religious and other organizations have adopted this activity, but there is always a need to clean up our environment.
• Teaching: Dance / Music / Painting / any other forms of the arts. These activities create a passion in life. To be able to teach these arts is like opening the door to a new life.
• Coaching sports. Like teaching art, sport is a passionate endeavour. It is also is a bridge that can bring people together.
• Picking fruit. There is a lot of fruit in many places, and people do not have the time or the energy to pick it, so it goes to waste even though there are hungry people. By picking it and donating it to food banks or other charitable organizations, one can feed the poor.
• Calling or visiting those in need or offering companionship to lonely people Tragedy strikes all of us, and when that happens, a visit or a simple phone call can make the difference for those who are feeling sad. Loneliness can cause depression, and visiting or calling may interrupt this process.
• Connecting with Baha’is outside of meetings. Our relationship with Baha’i friends may be limited just to our meetings. Being in touch with Baha’is outside of the meetings either in their homes or out in the community, creates closeness of hearts.
• Offering services to literacy agencies. Every town or city has an organization that provides educational services to newcomers to the country and those who require tutoring in reading, writing and computer literacy. They rely heavily on volunteers.
• Volunteering at homeless shelters and halfway houses. The number of homeless people is on the rise. Besides providing shelter, there are other needs to be met, and every little contribution helps.
• Manning school crossings. By helping in this way, children and their parents will feel safe.
• Teaching yoga /Tai Chi/ martial arts/ any other exercise classes/coaching sports. This is another way of helping.
• Self-help classes. Dealing with our personal and emotional issues is very important for our spiritual development. Teaching these classes empowers others to have a sense of control in their lives.
• Teaching product-making classes like soap or candle-making. In some underdeveloped countries, these skills are the only way people can make a living. In the absence of banks from which to borrow money or government institutions to help, this knowledge provides skills and empowers the poor.
• Teaching gardening, farming classes. Gardening is a therapeutic activity. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá loved it. It creates a sense of achievement, and the added benefit can be fresh and organic food that enhances our health.
• Teaching woodwork classes. This skill can change lives by empowering people to build and repair.
• Providing classes for jewellery making, beadwork, home decoration, food preserving and others. All these enrich people’s lives.
• Providing driving lessons. Being able to drive encourages independence and self-reliance for many people. For those who cannot afford the cost of driving lessons, this service is a great gift.
• Providing foreign language lessons. For immigrants, learning the language of the new country is not a luxury but a necessity.