10 Ways to Get Ur Good On for Back to School in 2012!

Summer has come to an end; BUT there are still opportunities to get creative in helping your community solve some of its toughest problems. Do you want to see more action towards protecting the environment, promoting healthy eating, or providing new opportunities for low-income families? Here are 10 easy ways you make an impact, develop new skills and interests, and even make new friends! 

1. Teach your friends and teachers something new this year. According to the Grassroots Recycling Network, recycling just 1 ton of mixed paper saves the energy equivalent of 185 gallons of gasoline! Start the school year by launching a recycling club at your school to collect shredded paper. Get fellow students and staff involved during lunch, or after school! For more Earth-friendly ideas, check out YSA for 55 Environmental Service Projects.

2. Do you love to read? Or are you more of a math student? Want to share that love with younger students?  Whatever your interests,  Big Brothers Big Sisters and United Way offers volunteer opportunities to tutor young students in math, reading, and social studies. 

3. According to the 2008 Census Bureau, the national poverty rate for children under 18 was 19%.  That’s more than 13 million youth that may not have new school supplies for school. You can help by hosting a school-supply drive to donate to Staples for Students.  You can drop off your collection of supplies at any Staples until September 15.    

4. Do you think students in your school are doing enough to stay active? Is your favorite class Phys Ed? Help First Lady Michelle Obama in her national campaign “Lets Move” to end childhood obesity.  The beginning of the school year is a great time to increase physical activity by starting an intramural sport after school. You can receive a $1000 UnitedHealth Heroes grant to get your friends active and combat childhood obesity.

5. Studies continuously show eating breakfast increases reading and math scores.  Get local food distributors, like Panera, to donate healthy snacks and to teach about healthy eating habits. Read more from Share Our Strength, about how school breakfast is super important.

6. Stop Bullying! Make it a goal this year to not name-call or tease your peers. Get your friends to take action too! A great way to start is to sign the Defeat the Label Pledge and learn more from Stop Bullying.

7. Explore the world of blogging! If you want to start a club, promote an event, or just want your opinions heard, a blog is a great way to do it! Check out these great blogs you can start for free!: Blogger, Wordpress
8. In the autumn, leaves begin changing colors. For some, this can be a mess.  Many older families and senior citizens are unable to do their yard work.  Get your friends to clean up the community by raking leaves!

9. The spirit of Halloween lies in the ability to be whoever you want for one night! Collect costume donations so that all kids can enjoy a fun night of pretending.  Visit your local Good Will to see how you can help! Or donate Halloween costumes here!

10. Start reading the newspaper! It’s a great way to be an informed citizen in your community.  Who knows, you may learn about issues on which you want to take action!