Building Community With Service

Building community is always high on my list and one of the ways to do that is to  reach out into the community that you live and support, donate, volunteer, or create an event where your residents are giving of their time, talents and gifts to those less fortunate.  There are numerous organizations out there, Habitat for Humanity, area Food Banks, local Salvation Army or Goodwill,  just to name a few. There are no shortage of worthy and important not-for-profit organizations that will be grateful for your presence in reaching their goals. 

 We have all heard it said that these organizations do quite well during the holiday season but could use more help with contributions during the entire year. Many communities have been hit hard by the economy, and your efforts could have a huge impact.  If contributing dollars or food items is a problem, these same organizations could use your physical help.  Many hands make light work. In economic down times, people come together and share, sharing relieves stress levels by creating feelings that you are not alone.

 Showing up and contributing time has many benefits.  United Health Group reported that volunteers are shown to improve their physical and emotional health just by helping out. Here are some of my ideas.

  1. Build up your community by having a food drive.

·       2. Organize a toy drive for the upcoming holidays by collecting unwrapped toys and donating to the organizations in your area already doing this. Set up a big box in the leasing office and wrap it with holiday paper and get the word out about what you are doing.  Contact the Marine Toys for Tots organization in your area. US Marines spearhead this event every year, and you can arrange for them to come to pick up and distribute toys.

·       3. Collect and donate clothing, separate the business wear from the others and search out an organization that puts people into career clothing to start a new job. 

·       4. Jump on the bandwagon of an organization supporting something.  October was the month for Breast Cancer Awareness, and then there is the American Heart Association . These organizations can always use your support, contact them and find out what they are doing this month and next.

·       5. Writing letters and sending packages to our military overseas is a great way to connect with not only your residents, but also service men and women who are always in need of news back  home and a note from a six year old can warm anyone’s heart. Contact the USO in your neighborhood to get connected.

·       6. Collect blankets for the homeless, many churches do this, contact a local church and find out about their efforts and join in.

 Bringing your residents together once a week or once a month promotes new relationships, with the office personnel and with their neighbors.  Knowing one another brings many benefits. A sense of community certainly makes everything better and knowing and acknowledging your neighbor with a wave and a nod when you and they are coming and going promotes a sense of security. When your residents feel secure, they don’t leave. When your residents feel that they matter, they renew their leases because they know their neighbors, they have made friends; they have worked side by side to help others and shared a cup of coffee with each other.  

Building community with service is not only a good thing to do; it promotes so much more within your community. As we come into this time of celebration, let’s remember that building community is much more than collecting rent, it’s forming relationships, and experiences and friendships.  Working in service for your community brings a warm fuzzy just knowing you helped.

Alison Voyvodich

WRH Realty Services, Inc.