Finding New WaysTo MakeA Difference (NAPSA)—Whenit comes to volunteering, Americans take action. More than 61 million people—almost 20 percent of the U.S. population—volunteered in just one year, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Add to that the countless number of people who run community ‘Si )) 3 aes x - Pa programs, help friends and family, and find other ways to improve their neighborhoods, andit’s obvious that Americans care deeply for their hometowns. If you’d like to make a difference in your community, these tips mighthelp: Start A Program You can help your community—and the environment—by starting a recycling program. Put up flyers around town or place ads in the paper seeking volunteers. Then talk with town officials to find out how organizations can have their separated garbage hauled off and recycled. Finally, have groups of volunteers visit area businesses and schools; talk to them about recycling and encourage them to participate in a recycling plan. Learn To Help You can visit the Web site hgtv.com/changetheworld to learn more ways to help. The site is part of HGTV’s Change The World. Start At Home campaign, a new community revitalization and environmental cause effort launched by HGTV, Rebuilding Together, the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the Natural Resources Defense Council. The campaign will focus on revitalizing communities across the country and helping consumers make smart choices for the environment within their homesanddaily lives. By visiting hgtv.com/changethe world, you can vote on cities you feel are the most deserving of a Volunteers help to change the world one community at a time. There are Websites that can help yourevitalize yours. makeover. Oneproject in each city will focus on environmentally friendly improvements while another will have a historical focus to help preserve the fabric of each community. In addition to voting, you can also explore volunteer opportunities so you can become actively involved in helping to revitalize your own community. Lend A Hand You can learn about volunteer opportunities at the library, in the paper and on community Web sites. You can use volunteering as a learning opportunity by working with an organization that you know little about—or you can use the skills you’ve already developed to help people around town. Teachers, for instance, could make great literacy volunteers. Spend Some Time Something as simple as stopping in to chat with an elderly neighbor or offering to help him perform errands could make a big difference in his life. You could also stop by an area retirement home to spend time with theresidents, or visit with elderly patients in the hospital. For more tips and ideas, visit hgtv.com/changetheworld.
