Charity, Cheaply: Part V: Time and Service

Part I.
Part II.
Part III.
Part IV.

Sometimes, the most needed gift is the gift of time and service, not money. You need not volunteer as a hospice worker (though it is a lovely thing to do), coach a Special Olympics team, or sign up to do anything on a regular basis to help.

* Do you have a friend or neighbor recovering from surgery? Offer to pick up prescriptions and groceries, or stand in as the Responsible Adult who will drive the woozy patient home.

* Does a friend have a loved one in the hospital? Drop off some comfort food like homemade bread, mashed potatoes, and brownies.

* Offer to house-, baby-, or pet-sit.

* Shovel and salt the stairs of a neighbor who is elderly or disabled.

* Offer to park in a neighbor's driveway if you know they will be on vacation.

* Use your skills to help others. For example, I recently helped a friend with the bureaucratic, insurance, and legal hassles of setting up a home-based daycare, and taught another how to spot a shoddy construction job as he searched for a new home. These are valuable services, and can't be solved by "throwing money at it." Can you teach someone how to cook wholesome, inexpensive meals? Can you teach someone the basics of vehicle repair and maintenance? Can you teach someone how to find cheap home/business furnishings using Craigslist or eBay?

* Tutor a child or adult. Even if you think you're not qualified to teach anything, you can probably do a good job of teaching someone English by having occasional informal conversations.

* Pray.

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Tip/trick/lesson of the day: Be very careful in using gel candles. These candles have a tendency to explode and pose a serious fire hazard. If you must have gel candles, never leave them unattended.

Also, free rice cake snacks.