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State Symbols USA promotes appreciation and conservation of our natural, historic, and cultural treasures through an interactive website providing information on state and national symbols and icons, and much more.
How can you make a difference in your community? There are numerous ways, and you may be surprised at how easy it is to get involved. State Symbols USA outlines a few options.
Advocate for Environmental Awareness
If you want to protect the environment, the best place to start is at home. Litter is a significant problem in U.S. cities, as studies from Keep America Beautiful show at least 15% of Americans have improperly disposed of trash. You can fight littering by cleaning up your local park. Most public parks have cleanup programs or work with organizations that do. If you don't have time to help with the actual cleaning, you can still support these efforts by spreading the word and donating money.
Get Your Nursing Degree
Nurses play a pivotal role in healthcare, as they care for patients, offer comfort, and communicate with worried families. If you're passionate about healthcare and love to learn, you should consider getting a Master of Science in Nursing. This degree helps you qualify for many different positions:
- Certified registered nurse anesthetist
- Family nurse practitioner
- Nurse midwife
If you're currently working, you can pursue a nursing degree online through an affordable, accredited school.
Form a Nonprofit
If you're passionate about a cause but there isn't an organization in your area, you can start your own. A successful nonprofit requires the following:
- Bylaws
- Minute policies for board meetings
- Tax-exempt status
- Whistle-blower policies
- Document retention policies
It's essential to figure out the details of governing, voting, conflict of interest rules, and frequency of board meetings before you incorporate.
Work at the Polls
Elections require state-wide coordination. If you want to facilitate this staple of democracy, you can volunteer at your local voting location. All Voting is Local points out that poll workers have several responsibilities:
- Assist with curbside voting
- Help voters with disabilities fill out their ballots
- Check-in voters as they arrive
Run for Local Office
Sometimes the best way to make a difference is to run for office. The following positions allow you to make major changes on a local level:
- Town Council
- School Board
- Sheriff
Participate in a Convention
Conventions are gatherings where people with shared interests can connect and have fun. Comic and anime conventions are immensely popular, but there are also science fiction, fantasy, and historical conventions open to all. Many small businesses and indie creators attend these conventions to tout their hand-made wares. If you want to support the artists and performers in your community, a convention is a perfect place to do so.
Coach Kids' Sports
Sports are great experiences for kids since they teach teamwork, good sportsmanship, and the value of exercise. To support the youth sports leagues in your area, consider becoming a coach.
Support Your Local Food Bank
Food banks work hard to provide non-perishable goods to local families. You can support them in several ways:
- Organize a canned food drive
- Volunteer your time
- Make a monetary donation
Spend Time at an Animal Shelter
Unfortunately, many strays need a home. While they wait for their forever families, they stay in shelters. Most shelters need volunteers to keep running, so why not donate your time to some lovable cats and dogs? As an alternative, you can foster pets in your home to free up space in the shelter. There are plenty of short- and long-term fostering opportunities, so you can choose which works best for you.
Many animal shelters can use practical gifts, too. Cat litter, bleach, towels, blankets, and pet food are just a few ideas. Clippers are a boon for when they need to remove mats from neglected pets, and muzzles can help when an unhappy animal needs medical care.
Getting involved in your community requires passion and dedication. Once you take action, you'll discover the impact one person can make, whether that’s championing an environmental cause, working at the polls, supporting a food bank, or helping a local animal shelter.