Soccer Setup & Tear Down (and trash, too)

The project:
Help set up and tear down the nets for youth soccer, and pick up trash after the games.

Time:
30 minutes total

Why bother?
Our girls are playing soccer this year. Whichever teams arrive first and play last have to set up and tear down the goals. Today, one girl was at a crack of foggy morning game, the other at the end of sunny afternoon. Sure, there are OTHER parents who could've done this, but why should we leave it to them?

We couldn't figure out WHICH of the six fields our girls were playing on, so we just started setting up goals. Turns out we set up two of the fields our girls would NOT be using. GOOD THING other parents came! It would've taken the two of us a LONG time to get all that stuff in place. (And, man, are those goals heavy!)

Afterward, there was a bit of trash around, so I picked up all that I could find and delivered it to the bins. One less thing for the janitor to do - and gripe about - in the morning.

Worth it?
Yes.

Donate to the Food Bank

The project:
Donate food to the local Food Bank.

Time:
45 minutes to clean the pantry and sort out food appropriate for donation; 10 minutes to drive to the pantry, walk in and drop.

Why bother?
Time really does fly! I can't believe it's been nearly a year since I last donated a bag of food to our local pantry, and it's been far too long since I emptied our pantry and really gave it a good scrubbin'. Today was the day for both. Why? Click here.

Some people believe only moochers, people who take advantage of the system, the lazy, the undeserving use their local food pantries. I've heard people say too many people take advantage of the pantry system. I'm sure there ARE people like that, but I also know for a fact there are people who have worked hard just to eek by, or who have worked all their lives only to find their savings devastated by unforeseen circumstances, who resort to the pantry's help only as a last resort. It is for those people whom I donate.

You can find your local pantry here.

Worth it?
Absolutely.

Grocery Cart Return

The project:
Retrieve a grocery cart from an elderly shopper who had just unloaded it, and return it to the store for him.

Time:
3 minutes

Why bother?
By the time I caught sight of him, he'd unloaded his loot, but he was slow to get around the vehicle, so I figured it would save him time and help him get to a comfortable seat sooner if I ran it back to the store.

Worth it?
Absolutely.

Give Away a Chair

The project:
Put a desk chair out on the curb for first comer.

Time:
Minutes

Why bother?
At my husband's urging, I bought a new desk chair yesterday. Rather than try to sell the older one on Craigslist or in a garage sale, I thought I'd set it out for anyone who might need it. I made a sign, wheeled it out in front of our house and returned inside. An hour later as we left on our morning rounds, the chair was gone.

Worth it?
Yes.

I probably could have made a few bucks if I'd sold it. But I like the idea that someone else picked it up. Maybe someone who needed it and could've used the few bucks they saved. I imagine the big smile they had when they wheeled it home. Maybe it's an upgrade from their awful desk chair, or a box, or no chair at all. Or maybe they'll sell it at their own garage sale - extra bucks for them.

Take Found Kitty to the Vet

The project:
Take found kitty to the vet for her first shots and kitty testing.

Time:
45 minutes

Why bother?
When we picked up this fuzzball, I wasn't thinking clearly, but once she made it all the way back home with us after her six-state tour, it was time for her to visit the vet. She's become our kitty (not that we needed another one, but what can you do?), so we'll take care of her appropriately.

Worth it?
Yes, though the $150 bill nearly made me choke! Particularly after we passed the sign at our local pet store announcing another local vet will be giving the kitten shot package in a couple more days - for only $40. What's up with that discrepancy?! (I think we're shopping for a new vet.)

Save Energy - Hang Out the Laundry

The project:
Rather than use the electric dryer, hang out the laundry in the hot California sunshine.

Time:
Five minutes per load to hang and pull down. Three loads before I lost daylight.

Why bother?
We have ample sun here most days, and it seems silly to heat up the laundry room with fee power when I can use free power.

Worth it?
Yes. I like the idea that I'm using nature's energy. I enjoyed the extra time in the yard, and it didn't take but a few minutes to hang each load and less than a minute to take down. I will note, however, that depending upon the clothesline will have to mean no more saving this family of four's laundry for a week at a time. While the washer is quick, the dry time here is nowhere near as fast as we experienced while traveling in New Mexico and Utah.

Hold Open Doors

The project:
No matter where you go, hold the door open for whoever's behind you.

Time:
Moments each time, a few minutes throughout the day.

Why bother?
It's actually a pretty fun deed, simple, and usually met with gratitude.

Worth it?
Yes.