Giving back to society is a powerful way to boost your own well-being while helping others. When you do kind things and give generously, you feel a sense of purpose and joy that improves your mental and emotional health. This give-and-take not only helps communities grow stronger but also makes you feel more connected and part of something bigger. It’s a simple, effective way to lead a more balanced and fulfilling life.
Once a year, on 'Make a Difference Day', our family donates hygiene kits to the unhoused. I find this to be a fun activity that teaches children about giving back by doing something meaningful.
In the US, Make a Difference Day is an annual observance that encourages individuals and communities to come together and make a positive impact in their surroundings. Celebrated on the fourth Saturday in October, Make a Difference Day serves as a reminder of the collective power of small acts of kindness and service. It is a day when people volunteer their time, skills, and resources to engage in various community service projects, ranging from environmental clean-ups to food drives, from mentoring programs to educational initiatives.
Of course, you don't have to wait until October to give back to society. If you would like to participate in a hygiene kit donation activity, this article will help.
There are FOUR simple steps here:
Contact a local shelter to check if they will accept hygiene kits. Check if there are specific products they need or don't need
Buy bags to separate and transport the kits, and have a stapler and sharpie pen handy
Go shopping at your local dollar store (or hit sales at Target / Walmart / Amazon). Remember to buy bags. Buy ribbons and labels if you want things to look pretty
Create packages as a family activity and drop the bags off
Obviously, you can have any budget, big or small. It is really the thought that matters, and the fact that we are doing what we can to help.
For our hygiene kits, we spent $100. We bought everything from our local dollar store.
We bought the following items:
Toothpaste
Toothbrush
Disposable razors
Socks
Bar soaps
Shampoo
Lotion
Sunscreen
Deodorant
Chapstick
Sanitary napkins
Kleenex tissues
You can buy something similar, mix and match, make and label separately for men and women, depending on the products you buy. My daughter had a good time 'decorating' the bags and felt quite included in the process of giving back.
Then, we drove about thirty minutes to drop off all the kits at the Union Station Homeless Services in downtown Los Angeles. This is a simple and meaningful family activity. Hopefully, this inspires some of you to do something special too.
Remember, YOU are enough. It starts with YOU.
What YOU do makes a difference.