Summer Community Service Projects for Your Organization

There are so many reasons to look forward to summer! From the return of green grass to longer days, there’s so much to enjoy, especially if you live somewhere with harsh winters. Everyone gets out and about more in the summer, and organizations of every kind may be looking for excuses to get together out in the open. Why not combine a social gathering with a project that will benefit your community? Here are a few suggestions of things you can tackle easily, have fun, and do some good in the process.

Make a Building Eco-friendlier and More Energy Efficient

Whatever the charter or mission of your organization may be, working to improve the environment can’t hurt anyone. It’s especially important (and easy) in the summertime. Many public buildings are past their prime and not built for energy efficiency. Following the mantra “many hands make light work” it would be very easy for a group to install solar panels Winston Salem NC to help generate clean power.

You can also easily improve the efficiency of windows by replacing them or sealing up cracks that may allow heat or cold in and out, making HVAC units work harder than necessary. You can even start making a compost pile to decrease waste and improve soil quality. For an environmentally-minded organization, the possibilities for small projects that can make a big difference are nearly endless.

Clean Up Trash from a Park or Lake

While it certainly helps the environment, picking up garbage serves plenty of short-term purposes as well. A team of enthusiastic people rolling up their sleeves and taking out the trash can beautify a park or keep a lake or river’s ecosystem clean and functioning. Dedicating a Saturday morning to properly (and safely) disposing of litter can not only help in these ways but seeing your efforts may inspire others to bend over and pick up the trash around them.

Set Up a Car Wash

A fundraising car wash is a win-win. All it takes to set up is an approved location, running water, some buckets, some soap and a few towels. It’s summertime; people need the bugs and bird droppings cleaned off their windshields and doors. They’re willing to take a little more time and maybe drop a few bucks more than they would at a traditional automat to support a good cause.

This is also a great opportunity to share information about your group with the public. As people wait outside your cars, it will be natural to converse about where their money will go, and who it will support. It’s hardly out of the question that some of them might even leave you a big tip beyond your asking price.

Paint a House

Many great organizations like your local Habitat for Humanity chapter do great work building and remodeling homes and placing disadvantaged people in them. This is noble and critical work, and your group can take a page from their example to help in a very manageable way. Many financially struggling families have a hard time keeping up with repairs and home maintenance due to the cost, or lack of time from working multiple jobs. Helping these folks out with a fresh coat of house paint is a fun and rewarding group activity for organizations looking to make a difference.

Hold a Food, Diaper, or School Supply Drive

You can also help by collecting essential supplies for those in need. A canned or non-perishable food drive will assist with people’s most basic needs. For many new parents struggling to make ends meet, the cost of diapers for new babies can be massive. Summer is also the perfect time to put school supplies in the hands of children who would otherwise go without. All you need is a central collection point or event, and to spread the word. This is easier than ever in the age of social media.

Hopefully these suggestions will give you some fresh ideas to help your organization grow closer as a team and serve your community in the process!