Well we've put together a list of ideas that we hope will help you find ways to impact others in your daily lives. A big Thank You to Tammy Burkhimer for sharing some great information about how we can have an impact in our own communities! We've compiled these simple ideas from a 3-part series from VERGE, a fantastic online resource for community centered missions. Lets all choose at least one of these and make it happen this week!
- Start a Study Group at a local place that needs business.
- Be a regular with your kids at the same playscape/restaurant during the day.
- Ask your local college how you can help serve international students.
- Get involved with your local lions or rotary club to learn about the community.
- Find a local tweet-up group to meet with regularly.
- Frequent a live music night at your local coffee shop or bar.
- Make a routine of taking the family to a evening recreation spot (pool, jump zone, etc.).
- Find a local philosophy/theology discussion group and become a regular participant.
- Find a baking meet up group and be a part of their activities.
- Go to the same hair stylist/barber and get to know them.
- Stay outside in the front yard longer while watering the yard.
- Walk your dog regularly around the same time in your neighborhood.
- Sit on the front porch and letting kids (yours and the neighbors) play in the front yard.
- Pass out baked goods (fresh bread, cookies, brownies, etc.)
- Invite neighbors over for dinner.
- Attend and participate in HOA functions.
- Attend the parties invited you're to by neighbors.
- Do a food drive or coat drive in winter and get neighbors involved.
- Have a game night (yard games outside, or board games inside).
- Art swap night – bring out what you’re tired of and trade with neighbors.
- Grow a garden and give out extra produce to neighbors.
- Have an Easter egg hunt on your block and invite neighbors use their front yards.
- Start a weekly open meal night in your home.
- Do a summer BBQ every Friday night and invite others to contribute.
- Create a block/ street email and phone contact list for safety.
- Host a sports game watching party.
- Host a coffee and dessert night.
- Organize and host a ladies artistic creation night.
- Organize a tasting tour on your street (everyone sets up food and table on front porch).
- Host a movie night and discussion afterwards.
- Start a walking/running group in the neighborhood.
- Start hosting a play date weekly for other stay at home parents.
- Organize a carpool for your neighborhood to help save gas.
- Volunteer to coach a local little league sports team.
- Have a front yard ice cream party in the summer.
- Cook an extra casserole and give it to a neighbor.
- Buy an extra dozen donuts and give them to a neighbor.
- Start a compost pile and allow neighbors to dump their compost.
- Host a coffee and dessert night.
- Organize and host a ladies craft night.
- Organize an effort for neighbors to help take care of elderly in neighborhood.
- Become a regular at your neighborhood pool/park.
- If you have a skill, let neighbors know that you can use it to help them for free.
- Collect Good Will store items and offer to take them to a Good Will store.
- Have a front yard ice cream party in the summer.
- Start a sewing group.
- Go Christmas caroling in your neighborhood (invite neighbors in on it).
- Throw a July 4th block party.
- Start a neighborhood Facebook/Twitter/Google + group.
- Ask longtime residents to help you learn about the neighborhood.
- Offer to babysit neighbors kids so they can have a date night.
- Find out your neighbors birthdays and take them a card and baked goods on it.
- Setup a meet your neighbors night with drinks in your driveway/front yard.
- Ask your HOA or apartment complex if they need help with anything.
- Host a regular Saturday morning breakfast potluck.
- Host a sports game watching party.(How hard is this one?? Come on guys, here's a great way to guarantee you get to see the big game!)
- Have a bonfire and invite your neighbors to roast hotdogs and marshmallows.
Have a great week!
