By Tara Hammond
“How do we change the world? One random act of kindness at a time.”
-Morgan Freeman
As 2024 makes its grand entrance, most of us begin to revisit our previous New Year’s resolutions. You may have successfully improved your physical, mental, or financial health, or perhaps you “missed the mark” because of unrealistic goals. Regardless of the outcome of your past attempts, there is a way to guarantee personal satisfaction in 2024: resolve to do more to help others, the environment, and your community.
Research shows that helping or contributing without expecting something in return leads to greater happiness, less stress, better pain management, less depression, and better overall health. If you make a conscientious, intentional effort, the benefits of generosity are multiplied threefold. Not only is the recipient blessed, but the entire community is strengthened with each act of selfless kindness. Not sure how to get started?
Here are a few great ideas that will make 2024 your most fruitful and abundant year of all:
PURGE, ORGANIZE, DONATE, AND RECYCLE
Clutter promotes anxiety, confusion, and stress; just think how nice it would be to have everything that you need at your fingertips at the right moment instead of searching for it. Now is the perfect time to free your home of unworn clothes, unused or outdated electronic devices, unwanted furniture, recently expired canned goods, and random surplus items. Rather than simply discarding things you no longer need, donate them to someone who does. Lexington County has several homeless shelters, charity centers, and donation sites that will accept and distribute or sell your donations at discounted prices. There are also many online services that will match your items to a worthy recipient. Another bonus: you can deduct the fair market value of the donations from your taxable income.
Recycling options can vary widely depending on the type of items you are getting rid of, the current season, and the governing regulations in your area. Of course, giving items away for free is perhaps the best form of recycling, but if you’re not getting any responses, and you don’t have the time or the inclination to list them online for free, there are always alternatives to throwing the items away. Get creative—find ways to repurpose items so that they are useful and serve a purpose. Use foam pipe insulation or pool noodles to babyproof sharp edges and corners in your home, or use it as a wrist rest as you work at your desk. Old hardcover books can be repurposed as a knife block, or you could use the pages to create a romantic letter by pasting cut words or letters onto stock paper.
GIVE THE GIFT OF LIFE
According to the Red Cross, someone in the United States requires a blood transfusion every two seconds. Donating blood is a simple thing to do and can make a big difference in the lives of others. Your gift could help up to three people. On average, the process of giving blood takes about an hour from registration to completion; healthy donors without serious health issues are eligible every 56 days (6 months). Frequent donors have been reported to have lower risks of stomach, lung, liver, colon, and throat cancer, as well as a lower risk of heart attacks. If you are unable to personally make a blood donation due to a health condition, you could volunteer at a local facility or organize a blood drive.
EXPRESS YOUR GRATITUDE
Imagine how it would feel to start each day in a positive, relaxed mood, ready to take on the world. Instead of mentally agonizing over the challenges that lie ahead, you choose to take control of your mind and focus on the positive aspects of life. As humans we naturally default to negativity, criticizing, and worrying about things that are usually out of our control. By keeping a daily gratitude journal you can develop a practice of focusing on positive affirmations, appreciating the little things in life, and enjoying happier days.
Expressing gratitude for another person shows that you notice them. Send a quick note to let someone know how much you appreciate them, how proud of them you are, or just to say thank you for being a blessing in your life. Praising others in front of family or coworkers can have an impact that lasts beyond the moment itself.
GO GREEN-PLANT A TREE
Trees foster healthy environments—they not only provide oxygen, material for paper products, shelter, shade, and warmth, but these protectors also supply valuable nutrients for the soil, deter surface erosion, and sustain precious wildlife.
Planting a tree in honor of a loved one who has passed has become a common practice, but you don’t need any “reason” other than goodwill to get started. Whether you plant a tree in your yard, work with a local volunteer group to plant trees in your neighborhood, or make a donation that will plant trees in a forest restoration project, you are preserving and contributing to the health of our planet. Take time to research native species, weather patterns, and local utility guidelines before breaking ground. We need to actively acknowledge the impact that we have on the environment, especially in a world so heavily affected by climate change and deforestation.
DESIGNATE A MONTHLY “NO SCREEN” DAY
The average screen time for Americans is 7 hours and 4 minutes per day. During winter, daylight is shorter and we often spend more time inside utilizing electronic devices. Many people do not realize that too much screen time can negatively impact everything, from your mood to your family life to your sleep habits. These effects extend to your whole body, physi-
cally, emotionally, and mentally. While devices can provide wholesome entertainment, educational resources, and a way to stay connected to loved ones, limiting screen time can have huge health benefits.
When you are scrolling social media on your phone, playing video games on the television, or working on the computer, you are increasing stress on the central nervous system as well as increasing cortisol, the stress hormone. By taking just a small bit of time away from screens most people discover that they are in a more stable mood, have less anxiety and depression, enjoy better communication with family members, sleep much better, and experience longer periods of brain focus and function, which maximizes productivity.
Now that you have these initial ideas, refer to our list of resources and join the movement! Make a New Year’s resolution to embrace zero waste, help others, clear clutter, nurture the environment, and make our world a better place for all creatures, both great and small. You are not only helping the immediate recipient of your generosity, but you are igniting a ripple effect of goodwill throughout the community.
LOCAL THRIFT STORES AND DONATION SITES
Mission Lexington Thrift Store/ Donation Site
216 Harmon St., Lexington, SC 29072
MissionLexingtonSC.org / 803-785-6940
Goodwill Industries Thrift Store/ Donation Site
1307 W. Main St., Lexington, SC 29072
GoodwillSC.org / 803-520-5964
St. Francis Community Thrift Shop/ Donation Site
114 Courtland Rd. Chapin, SC 29036
St.FrancisChapin.org / 803-945-2222
Chapin “We Care Center” Food Distribution/Donation Site
1800 Chapin Rd., Chapin, SC 29036
ChapinWeCare.org / 803-345-3244
Goodwill Industries Thrift Store/ Donation Site
7138 Broad River Rd., Irmo, SC 29063
GoodwillSC.org / 803-520-5964
Salvation Army of the Midlands Ballentine Family Store/Donation Site
1341 Dutch Fork Dr., Irmo, SC 29063
[email protected] / 803-403-1372
Salvation Army of the Midlands Columbia Family Store/Donation Site
1312 North Millwood Ave., Columbia, SC 29204 [email protected] / 803-748-9964
LOCAL BLOOD DONATION SITES
The Blood Connection
5141 Sunset Blvd., Lexington, SC 29072
TheBloodConnection.org / 864-751-1168
American Red Cross Central SC Chapter
2751 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201 RedCross.org / 803-540-1200
COMMUNITY PLANTING RESOURCES
Keep the Midlands Beautiful
1305 Augusta Rd., West Columbia, SC 29169
KeeptheMidlandsBeautiful.org [email protected] / 803-733-1139
Lexington County Cooperative Extension Office
605 West Main St., Ste. F Lexington, S.C. 29072
Clemson.edu / 803-359-8515
Lexington Soil and Water Conservation District 123
Park Rd., Lexington SC, 29072 LexSWCD.org / 803-358-8688
Palmetto Pride Tree Grants
2700 Middleburg Dr., Suite 216 Columbia, SC 29204
PalmettoPride.org [email protected] / 803-758-6034
SC Department of Agriculture Grant Programs and Resources for Minority and Women Farmers
Agriculture.SC.gov / 803-734-2210
