Ways to Be More Active in Your Community
Community involvement can improve your mental health, benefit your neighborhood, and connect you with others. Building community leads to resilience, builds important relationships, helps the environment, and bolsters the local economy. If you're looking for some ways to be more active in your community, the Lynch Ford Chevrolet team has some suggestions.
Join a Group or Class
Most communities have a variety of classes or groups, meaning you can easily find groups of like-minded people. You can also learn a new skill. Examples are running groups, photography and art classes, book clubs, and sports teams.
Understand Local Politics
Become acquainted with your local government officials and influential community members. Read the local newspaper and community newsletter. Vote, share opinions on the town's social media pages, and contact officials to present your views. If issues come up that you are passionate about, you'll easily be able to join with others to advocate for your views.
Attend Community Events
Cultural and sporting events offer an opportunity to relax and grow personally. Attending these events also fosters social interactions that strengthen the whole community. You can find information about community events in newspapers, newsletters, and on bulletin boards in local businesses and government buildings.
Organize Your Own Event
If you can't find an event that feeds your passion, organize your own. Even if you feel intimidated by the prospect, you can join with friends to organize a fun event, such as a car wash for your favorite charity or a kids' event at the park or library.
Volunteer
Volunteering is an excellent way to share your talents with the community while meeting other people with similar interests. Most communities have many needs that volunteers can fill. Some roles, such as being a dog walker at the animal shelter, require a longer-term commitment. Others, such as setting up for a fundraiser, require only a few hours. You can learn about opportunities through local media, bulletin board postings, and friends. You can also call an organization directly if you have a specific interest. Finally, you can also take on your own volunteer opportunities. For example, you could shovel the snow off your elderly neighbor's driveway or cut their grass.
Donate
Consider sharing your resources with a local charity. For example, give your gently used books to the library or clothes and household goods to the Salvation Army or other thrift stores. Giving to others can boost your mood, encourage others to give, and help others in need.
Shop Locally
A thriving community has a variety of businesses. Without community support, however, these businesses cannot thrive. Whenever you can, skip the Big Box stores and chain restaurants and patronize small, local businesses. You'll be contributing to the economic health of your community. You may also form friendships with business owners and other regular patrons.
Being an active part of your community benefits you and your neighbors in so many unseen ways. That's why the Lynch Ford Chevrolet team works hard to give back to our community every year. If you're interested in shopping local for your next vehicle, contact us today to get started.