Because giving back doesn’t have to stick to a schedule.

---

What’s the last nice thing you did for someone?

Let me specify -- by someone, I mean our planet.

Want me to go first?

On a very recent, very blustery morning, I left my house to run a few errands. As soon as the garage door opened, I was hit in the ankles -- first by a blast of wind. And then a newspaper. Which was followed by some styrofoam, and a cake wrapper.

The alley behind our home had spawned a literal tornado of forgettables.

At first, I was angry. “WHOSE TRASH IS THIS?” Which led to frustration. “WHO IS GOING TO CLEAN ALL OF THIS UP?!” With no one else in sight, say for a stray soccer ball, I soon realized that “I guess that would be me.”

With 2 bags soon in hand, I hunched over the macadam and started sorting. Trash, recycling, recycling, recycling, trash...until my nook of the street was litter-free. Now, at the end, I was miserable. My hands were reduced to icy hammers. But my heart, buried deep under a sweater and coat, was burning with pride and accomplishment. And gratitude, for helping my dear mother planet whose voice remains so stoically quiet, even during citywide trash collection.

Now, this Wednesday marks Random Acts Of Kindness Day. And that burning heart sensation I mentioned? That’s my, our challenge to you this week -- light within you a metaphorical fire. Through either spontaneous or calculated assignments to better some aspect of our collective world. It doesn’t have to involve street cleaning, or any sort of physical interaction. Whatever you can make time and space to do.

If you’re not sure where to start, our Care FP team has a few suggestions -- all of them virtual -- on how you can give back. And make Random Acts of Kindness Day whatever day best works for you.

Love Animals?

Do it for the pets-to-be and support our long-standing partner, Best Friends Animal Society, in their efforts to Save Them All.

Become A BFAS Adoption Ambassador

Or perhaps a BFAS Foster Recruiter

For more BFAS volunteer opportunities visit www.bestfriends.org/volunteer.

Want To Support Your Community?

Regardless of where you live, know that you can make a difference in someone’s life through merely sharing a bit of your own.

Mentor Teen Entrepreneurs

Virtual Socialization for Seniors

Teach Tech Classes to Senior Citizens

Become a Crisis Text Line Volunteer

Soldiers Angels Veteran Volunteering

The Trevor Project, LGBTQ+ Support

Supporting Elderly LGBTQ navigate their lives

Send Gratitude Notes to Philadelphia’s Penn Medicine Staff

Have A Love Of Language?

Now’s the perfect time to impart your impeccable (or not) grammar skills on someone who needs guidance...

Help International Students with English

Live Translation Assistance for Refugees, Asylees, or Immigrants

Translators without Borders

Virtual Reading and Tutoring

Remember, change begins with one person, one action. Let’s be kind to each other, together. XO