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Bless Your Community

NAE Financial Health

Consider these giving ideas for you, your family or church group to bless your community.

Ideas for Children

  • Make three money envelopes or jars: Giving, Savings and Spending. When you get money, put some in each one.
  • Draw a picture for someone.
  • Make a dessert or snack to share.
  • Take food to someone you know is sick.
  • Go through your things and give away what you don’t need or use anymore.
  • Make someone’s bed for them.
  • Do chores without complaining.
  • Give a compliment or express your appreciation to a teacher.
  • Pick up any litter or trash you see.
  • Do something kind to a person who doesn’t have many friends.
  • Write a note to someone telling them why they are special to you.
  • Help set the dinner table.
  • Tell someone you are sorry when you know you upset them.
  • Let someone else win at a game you’re playing together.
  • Offer to pray for someone who is upset.
  • Memorize “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).
  • Give a toy or book to someone.
  • Remove and clean the dishes without being asked.
  • Spend time visiting and talking with an older person.
  • Give some of the money in your giving envelope or jar to a church, charity or needy person.
  • Be a good sport. Don’t hog the ball. Compliment the other players.
  • Play with or read a book out loud to a younger child.
  • Talk with someone who is shy or lonely.
  • Draw a picture or make a card and give it to an elderly person or neighbor.
  • Give someone a big hug.
  • Participate with a group in doing a service project together.
  • Give someone a compliment about their hair, eyes, smile, clothing, smarts, singing or sports abilities.
  • Forgive someone who hurt or upset you.
  • Tell someone that you love them.
  • Write five things you’re thankful for.
  • When someone has something heavy to carry, help carry it for them.

Adapted with permission from 40acts.org.uk Kids Wall Chart by Stewardship.

Ideas for Individuals and Families

  • Cook a meal for someone who is sick or has been in the hospital.
  • Give a book you have to a friend who would be helped by it.
  • Let someone go in line ahead of you.
  • Smile and greet people when you are walking.
  • When you buy a snack, buy two and share it with someone.
  • If you buy a coffee, give the cashier money to pay for the next person’s drink.
  • Help return shopping carts in the parking lot to where they belong.
  • Take donuts to the fire or police station and thank them for their service.
  • Send a thank-you text, email or note to someone who helped you in life.
  • Go for a walk and introduce yourself to neighbors you haven’t met yet.
  • Be kind or do something nice for someone you dislike.
  • Put some “God money” in a special place in your wallet ($5, $10, $20, $50 or $100) to give away when God prompts you to help someone.
  • Offer to care for someone’s pet, plants or mail when they go on a trip.
  • When cooking, make some extra and share it with someone in need.
  • Make a “baby kit” for a new mother (diapers, formula, food, clothes, etc.).
  • Give someone or several people a hug.
  • Offer to pray with someone who is going through a difficult time.
  • Ask a single parent, widow or retiree if there is any way you could help them.
  • Share a funny story or joke that will help someone smile or laugh today.
  • Call a friend you haven’t talked to for a year or more.
  • Bake or buy some snacks and share them at work or school.
  • Tip someone 50 percent or another generous amount on your restaurant bill.
  • Give someone who is without a car a ride to church, work, the store or a doctor’s appointment.
  • Treat someone to the movies, an event or an activity.
  • When you notice someone who seems lost or needs help, offer to assist them.
  • Invite someone in your neighborhood over for a meal or dessert.
  • Go through your things and give away or donate items you no longer use.
  • Have a garage sale with family or neighbors to raise money for a cause.
  • Make a donation to a nonprofit in honor or memory of a loved one.
  • Give or send someone flowers.
  • Go visit an elderly person and take them a snack or gift.
  • Help a neighbor, single parent or elderly person with needed house projects or repairs (e.g., yard work, painting, fix-it projects, etc.).
  • Let someone “in” when traffic is tight. Wave to them and smile.
  • Watch someone’s children, so they can go on a date or outing.
  • Loan a car to someone who needs it.
  • Take a single parent and/or their children to an outing or event.
  • Purchase an extra bag of groceries for a single parent, widow or needy family.
  • Invite foreigners to your home to celebrate a national or religious holiday.

Ideas for Groups

  • Work with local officials to paint over graffiti in your community.
  • Clean up trash at a park, sports field, beach, school, road, lake or river.
  • Put on a special program, talent show or event at a nursing home.
  • Help clean and paint at a school, nonprofit or needy neighborhood.
  • Collect clothing, school supplies, instruments or gifts for needy kids.
  • Fix up a run-down playground or convert an empty lot into a playground.
  • Organize an after-school program (e.g., tutoring, sports, theater or music).
  • Organize a special event for foreigners, elderly or needy families.
  • Do yard or repair work at the homes of needy families.
  • Trim overgrown trees and bushes on walking paths or in parks.
  • Offer a free car wash and/or dog wash.
  • Collect unused makeup and clothing for a center for abused women.
  • Organize free haircuts, eye exams, dental care, medical check-ups, etc.
  • Paint fire hydrants, park benches, fences or “no parking” curbs.
  • Offer career testing and resume help for people needing work.
  • Look at your community’s events calendar and provide needed volunteers.
  • Conduct a food drive.
  • Organize an appreciation event for a group of professionals in your community (e.g., police, fireman, first responders, teachers, etc.).
  • Work with officials to help serve troubled at-risk youth.
  • Work with a local nonprofit and provide volunteers or raise funds for a special project.
  • Put together a clothing or eyeglasses drive to benefit people in need.
  • Organize a free water, snack or sunglasses give-away day at a community event.
  • Get permission to organize a flash mob singing event.
  • Organize a local blood drive.
  • Organize free oil changes and fluid checks for singles and the elderly.
  • Offer bicycle safety checks.
  • Organize a 40-cents-off gas discount with a local service station.
  • Organize a volunteer fair for local nonprofits, schools, etc.
  • Provide volunteers for a local feeding program or event.
  • Build needed wheelchair ramps for the disabled.
  • Put safety equipment in the homes of the elderly.

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