How to Improve the World

Let’s be honest; the world kind of sucks sometimes. There always seems to be something wrong and that’s just going to be how it is. Sometimes, that’s all we’re able to see, but it doesn’t have to be. There is so much more good in the world than bad. The bad is just louder than the good. We need to start making the good stand out. Start screaming the good from the rooftops. We need to start being the good. As Anne Frank said in her diary, “how wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.” Now is the time for us to do something. We may not think it’s possible, but we are able to improve the world, even just a little bit. A little bit is way better than not at all. So let’s start improving the world.

Let’s start now. If you see some trash on the ground, pick it up. Throw it away or recycle it if you can. Say hello to someone random; you never know, it just might make their day. Text a friend you haven’t seen in a while and ask them to hang out. Put goodness out into the world. There can never be too much good going out. If there is enough good going out into the world, you are bound to get some good back. The main reason people don’t want to try is that it could cost money, and most students don’t have that. So, here is a short list of ideas that you can do to improve the world without spending a dime.

1. Volunteer at a soup kitchen or food bank

The food bank isn’t that close. If you’re willing to go to Baltimore or you live there when you’re not at school, try volunteering there.

www.mdfoodbank.org
2200 Halethorpe Farms Road, Baltimore, MD 21227
410.737.8282
Chief Executive: Carmen Del Guercio
Media Contact: Joanna Warner

There are plenty of options for soup kitchens or food pantries in Cumberland. So go volunteer; you never know what you’ll get out of it.
https://www.homelessshelterdirectory.org/cgi-bin/id/cityfoodbanks.cgi?city=Cumberland&state=MD

2. Donate Blood

The next time the Red Cross comes to FSU, donate blood if you’re able to. It can save a life, and that is amazing.

3. Donate Old Clothes

Everybody has clothes that they no longer wear or that no longer fit them. Donate those clothes to people who need them. Often times, churches will accept clothes or be able to direct you to the best place to donate them.

4. Volunteer with the Animal Shelter or Animal Sanctuary

Animal shelters and sanctuaries can always use more volunteers. Get in contact with the animal shelter and ask when they need people to volunteer. The Heart of the Earth Animal Rescue and Sanctuary also needs people.

Allegany County Animal Shelter:
Address: 716 Furnace St, Cumberland, MD 21502
Phone: (301) 777-5930

Heart of the Earth:
Address: 13311 South Cresap Street, Cumberland, MD
Email: tlfish0@frostburg.edu

5. Donate your old sneakers to Nike Reuse-A-Shoe

If you have old sneakers that are unable to be used anymore and should just be thrown out, donate them to Nike Reuse-A-Shoe. Most Nike locations have a drop-off, but make sure to contact the store before dropping off your shoes. Also, if you’re shoes are still usable but you just don’t want them anymore, donate them along with your clothes.

6. Donate the pop tabs on your soda cans to the local Ronald McDonald charity house

By simply donating pop tabs to the Ronald McDonald house, you’re already doing a lot of good. They can exchange the tabs for money to help the charity keep running.

7. Finally, participate in FSU activities

Many organizations on campus have charity events or other events to better the community. Participate in these events. Join the organizations if you can. Make the world a better place as a group, and it won’t seem so hard anymore.

Trying to improve the world can seem like a hefty task. However, there are so many little things that anyone can do to make things better. Start today and you will already begin to improve the world.