New This Month
Print Article Archives
Reprints / Subscriptions
Editorial Calendar
Media Kit
Popular Features
Architecture Guide
Cost vs. Value Report
Good Neighbor Awards
Handouts for Customers
Top 100 Companies
Take a Quiz
30 under 30
Young Professionals
REALTOR® Emeritus
Architecture Guide
Cost vs. Value Report
Good Neighbor Awards
Handouts for Customers
Top 100 Companies
Take a Quiz
30 under 30
Young Professionals
REALTOR® Emeritus |  | THE GOOD NEIGHBOR TOOL KIT: IMPROVING YOUR COMMUNITY cont. | | ||
|  Why Volunteer? Getting Started Improving Your Community Improving Yourself as a Volunteer Fundraising Working with Volunteers More Resources Directory: Links to Charitable Organizations | 6 Easy Ways to Help the Homeless "Think small," says Jill Rich, 2000 Good Neighbor Awards winner and homeless advocate. "You're not going to individually solve the whole homelessness problem." But every kind gesture makes a difference. "It’s like the starfish story. A beach was covered with starfish that had washed ashore, and a little boy was bent over picking up one after another and throwing them back into the water. His mother rushed over and said, 'What are you doing? You can’t possibly throw all these starfish back in. It won’t make a difference.' To which the little boy says, 'Well, it made a difference to this one,' says Rich." Rather than ignoring the homeless or giving a dollar… 1. Give a toothbrush and toothpaste. 2. Carry fast food gift certificates. 3. Carry a list of local shelters and soup kitchens. 4. Say “hello” and smile. 5. Buy someone a sandwich or some fresh fruit. 6. Bring someone a clean blanket in the winter. 15 Ways to Improve Your Neighborhood > | |||