Doers | Deeds | $ Raised |
4,001 | 21,716 | $605,369 |
Few things in life feel as wonderful as the beginning of summer. From the colors of the blooming flowers to the first warmth of sunlight on your SPF’ed skin to the constant fragrance billowing from the outdoor grill. Summer is the time to unwind, enjoy the company of others and get outside and get moving.
Here at Tonic, we believe the things to do during summer that are the most fun are those that have a positive effect on you, the people around you and our beautiful planet. We’ve put together a few ideas for you to consider when you find yourself wondering what to do during these long, wonderful summer days.
1. Plan a beach or park trash pick-up with friends and family. This has multiple benefits: you get exercise while walking around looking for trash to pick up, you’ll get your dose of Vitamin D and you’ll be making our one and only planet look tidy & beautiful.
2. Donate leftover potluck BBQ foods to the local shelter or local homeless people. How many times do you find yourself with tons of leftovers after summer BBQ parties? And, how often do you end up throwing them out? Be the person at those parties who arranges to have all of those leftovers donated to people in your community who could use some food. Perhaps it’s homeless people. Or, perhaps a family you know of could use a meal delivery. We’ll bet that you get some high fives for this kind gesture at those parties.
3. Help out a local teacher. Call up your local elementary or middle school teacher and ask if any of them could use your help in setting up their classroom for the new year. Most of our teachers dip into their own pocketbooks to buy new decorations and supplies for their classrooms and then they use their summer vacation hours to set up their classrooms for the new school year. Help out a teacher and you just might get a gold star this Summer.
4. Plant a garden. Saying “I don’t have a yard” is no longer an excuse. With “urban gardening” you can plant a vegetable or flower just about anywhere these days. If you truly don’t think you have the space, then check out your local community garden or look into fun group gardening organizations like one of our favorites: http://www.guerrillagardening.org/
5. Save the H20. Now that the sun is blazing, more people are reaching for water more often. Vow to not buy even a single plastic bottle of water this summer. How will you accomplish this? By planning ahead. Find yourself a few reusable water containers to keep at your desk, in your car, in your home and in your purse/backpack. You can fill it up just about anywhere: airports, restaurants, shopping malls. Take the challenge and leave the plastic bottles for the naughty people.
6. Hydrate animals. Head to a store and buy 10 cheap unbreakable bowls and make it your goal to find 10 locations where water isn’t readily available, such as mountain hiking trails and city streets. Then, fill the bowls with water and attach a note asking people to re-fill when they can. This will help keep those fast-working, tail-wagging doggy-dogs hydrated and happy.
7. Take the vegetarian challenge. Why not do something out of your norm to celebrate the hot months of summer? Challenge yourself to ditch the meat and fish for a week, two weeks, month or entire summer. Who knows, perhaps you’ll look even hotter in that bikini/speedo. After all, one perk of the vegetarian diet is shedding a few unwanted pounds with the new clean diet! Plus, think of all the animals who will silently be applauding your kind decision.
8. Forgive someone. We’ve all been hurt, betrayed, offended and on and on. It sucks. But, we’ve probably all hurt also someone, offended someone and even betrayed someone, whether intentionally or not. Do yourself (and someone else) a favor and let go of the past. Enter the Summer months without anger by forgiving someone. Then, bask in the delightful feelings of being compassionate and understanding. You’re awesome.
9. Volunteer. Even with the busiest of schedules there is time at least once a month that you can take an hour or two to volunteer. Google will help you find an opportunity in your area, as well as: http://www.volunteermatch.org/
10. Read a book about philanthropy. While laying out on that beach towel, kicking back on the boat or sitting around that campfire, why not lose yourself in inspiring facts and stories about giving and changing the world? Maybe it’ll be just a fun read but maybe it’ll spark action in your life to do something you really care about. Think: Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin.
Everyone at Tonic wishes you a healthy, happy, wonderful and giving summer!