5 Easy Ways You Can Help Others Right Now
Oftentimes, people want to help others, but they don’t know where, or how, to start
Photo: Unsplash/@timmossholder
Help Free Matthew Charles
Matthew Charles was sentenced to 35 years in prison for a non-violent drug offense. After a judge reduced his sentence, he was released after serving over 20 years, continuing the model behavior he demonstrated in prison in the community. Unfortunately, prosecutors appealed the judge’s decision, and Charles was returned to prison. Sign this petition to have the president commute his sentence.
Help Puerto Rico by Donating to the UNIDOS Program
Puerto Rico still needs help. The Hispanic Federation’s UNIDOS Program serves the immediate and long-term needs of Puerto Ricans on the island by “helping to coordinate hundreds of donation drives in the U.S. mainland, distributing millions of pounds of food, water and essentials to those most affected by the storm, delivering emergency relief aid to the 78 hard-hit municipalities, and seeding 20 million dollars to support emergency relief and recovery projects throughout Puerto Rico.” You can do your part by donating here.
Help Send Care Packages to Troops, First Responders, Veterans, and More
Operation Gratitude has sent over 2 million care packages (with hygiene products, handmade items, entertainment, non-perishable snacks, and personal letters of appreciation) to soldiers, vets, first responders, military families, wounded heroes and their caregivers. You can volunteer by writing a letter, hosting a donation drive, sending wishlist items that make up the care packages, knitting/crocheting a scarf, sewing cool ties, etc. You can also donate here.
Help the Family Separation Crisis
The ACLU has been front and center in the fight against the Trump administration, doing all they can to help reunite families separated at the border. You can join in on this fight by calling Congress, signing a petition, volunteering with the ACLU, starting your own campaign, etc. You can also donate, which will support kids at the border through programs such as Al Otro Lado, The Florence Project, Innovation Law Lab, Kids in Need of Defense (KIND), the ACLU, The Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights, the Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project, and more.
Help Your Local Animal Shelter
https://www.instagram.com/p/BlbSEBmHLEe/?hl=en&taken-by=humanesociety
In addition to choosing to adopt your furry baby instead of getting them through breeders, you can help out local animal shelters by donating your time, money, and/or items. Many shelters are in need of everyday things you have around the house, can easy get, or make. This includes towels, food and water bowls, cleaning supplies, peanut butter, treats, toys, blankets, trash bags, litter, newspapers, canned and dry food, and more (your shelter may have an Amazon wish list, which would make it super easy to purchase exactly what they need and send it to them).
