It's Better To Give Than
To Receive: 5 Ways You
Can Give Back This
Season
Nike Running app and for each Nike Running mile
pledged to (RED), Bank of America will donate 40
cents - up to $1 million - toward the fight to
eradicate mother-to-child HIV transmission. Forty
cents is the cost of two lifesaving pills called
antiretrovirals which, when taken daily, can prevent
an HIV-positive woman from passing the virus to
her unborn baby. You can learn more about the
project at Nike.com/onestep4red.
(BPT) - What are you thankful for this season? Your
loved ones? Your health? Your possessions? You
probably have plenty of reasons to feel thankful but
in your community and around the world there are
others who may not be as fortunate, and need the
help of those willing to give, especially during the
holiday season. So if you're ready to give back this
year, here are 5 ways you can help people in your
local area and beyond.
* Become a Secret Santa. You may participate in a
secret Santa program at your work or in your family
circle, but not all secret Santa roles have to be
directed to people you see every day. There are
many opportunities to purchase goods for families
in need, right in your community, allowing you to
feel just like Santa Claus without that dangerous
trip down the chimney.
* Donate or organize a clothing drive. Cold winter
temperatures and blistering winds aren't so bad
when you're safe behind a warm jacket.
Unfortunately, many people do not know the joy of
having adequate clothing. You can help by
contacting your local church, community center or
school and asking about hosting a clothing drive.
Contact the local media to get your message out,
print fliers and place them around town, and spread
the word on social media. If a clothing drive already
exists in your area, look through your clothes to see
what you can donate. If you haven't worn the item in
a year, it would make a great donation. You can
also purchase new clothes and donate them to the
drive. You could do the same with food or toy drives
as well.
* Give back while getting fit. Every day 650 babies
are born to HIV-positive mothers. Turn Your Miles
(RED) is an eight-week campaign that empowers
walkers, runners and fitness enthusiasts worldwide
to save lives and affect change. Use Nike's free
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* Make it a work affair. Discuss the idea of giving
back at work and organize a team of fellow
employees to volunteer at the homeless shelter or
a senior living facility. In addition to giving back to
your community, this could also be a helpful teambuilding exercise.
* Lend a helping hand. There are plenty of simple
ways you can give back right in your own
neighborhood. Help people shovel their driveways,
run errands for seniors afraid to drive on icy roads
or bake cookies for children in a struggling family.
Even the simplest gesture can help you spread
holiday cheer in your community.
Sometimes the best gifts don't appear on any list.
By applying a little creativity and initiative, you'll
see there are numerous ways you can enact
positive change in your community and beyond. To
learn more about Turn Your Miles (RED) and how
you can give back by being active and staying fit,
visit Red.bankofamerica.com and click on "Pledge
Your Miles."
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