Oprah’s Angel Network

You (yes, you!) can help people live their best lives—and it doesn’t require a lot of time, or a lot of money. Here are some actions you can take starting today to make a difference.

Education

• Clean off your bookshelves! Then, bring the books to a school, library or community center in your town that’s accepting donations.
• Become a reading buddy or literacy tutor. Go to VolunteerMatch and search by your ZIP code for an opportunity close to your home or work. Or, call the schools and libraries in your town to find out who needs help.
• Say “thank you” to the teachers you know. Whether your brother or best friend is a teacher, or you have kids in school, make sure the educators in your life know that you appreciate the difference they’re making in the world.
• Instead of getting your child’s teacher an ornament for the holidays or a trinket at the end of the year, give them a gift card to an art or office supply store instead. Educators often pay for supplies out of their own pockets, so every little bit helps.
• Support the students and schools in your community. The next time the local school newsletter comes in the mail, check out the calendar of events. Then, make plans with a friend or your family to go to a play, basketball game or other event.
• Are you a small business owner or know someone who is? Give local art students a place to show off their talents by offering to exhibit their artwork on your walls and around your shop.
• Whether French was your passion or yearbook was your thing, think back to your favorite class in high school, and consider becoming a tutor in that subject. Contact your local school district to find out what opportunities exist.

Leadership

• Take your child with you to vote. On the way to the polls and back home, talk about the importance of voting.
• Be an example, be a mentor. Mentors provide young people with the guidance, encouragement and support they need to live up to their full potential.

Basic Rights

• We’ve learned a lot over the past few decades about the causes of HIV. But some people still believe old myths. Brush up on the facts (visit UNAIDS.org) and the next time you hear a myth—prove it wrong with the truth.
• Explaining a health problem to a doctor can be hard for anyone. Imagine how you would feel if you had an emergency, but you and the doctor on call didn’t speak the same language. If you speak a second language, consider volunteering at a hospital or medical center as an interpreter.
• Does everyone in your book club buy their books each month? Instead of everyone hanging on to their books after the discussion, consider making a collective donation to the same women’s shelter or recovery center each month. If you enjoyed bonding over the book, so will another group of women.
• Buy one, give one. For one month, each time you buy an everyday item that’s on a buy one get one free special, donate the “one free” item. From soup to ketchup, toothpaste to deodorant, collect the items in a box over the course of the month, and at the end, deliver the goods to a shelter in your town.
• Donate your old cell phone. For a woman leaving an abusive situation, it’s important for her to have a way to connect the police in case of an emergency. Find a donation center near you.
• For a woman trying to get a job and get back on her feet, the right interview suit can give her a boost of confidence. If you have a closet full of professional attire, consider donating an outfit or two to a women’s resource center in your town.
• Free samples—they’re all around. From the sample-sized conditioner that comes attached to your shampoo, to the samples of laundry detergent that come in the mail, collect these freebies over the course of a few months. Then, deliver the unused goods to a shelter in your town.

Communities

• Redecorating your child’s room? Consider having a local art student paint a mural on one of the walls. It’ll give the student a chance to practice their skills, and the finished wall will be a beautiful, inspiring addition to your child’s room.
• Unique and beautiful, fair trade products make great gifts. The next birthday or special event that’s coming up, consider giving a gift that’s been made using fair trade practices. Visit the Fair Trade Federation to look for products.
• Go pro bono and volunteer your professional services to a local nonprofit. A few hours of pro bono work a week could give a big boost to a local organization and help give you a new outlook on your field. Find an opportunity at Taproot Foundation.
• What’s your hobby? Is it sewing? Board games? Reading? Walking your dog? Once a month, make it a point to connect to your community through your hobby. Whether it’s playing board games at a senior center or reading to young patients at a hospital, connect to others through something you love.
• The next time you need your oil changed or your kid needs a haircut, consider taking your business to the local skills-training center. You’ll be giving students the practice they need to prepare for the working world.
• Are you getting ready to tackle a home improvement project on your own? Whether you’re installing shelving in your garage, putting a new countertop in your guest bath or finally finishing off your basement, consider enlisting the help of a student who’s studying construction.
• If you find yourself holding on to a stack of gift cards after the holidays or your birthday, don’t let them expire—pass them along to someone in need. No one in mind? Contact a local nonprofit or social work organization, and the cards will get in the hands of a family who could use a little extra help.
• Get hands on—volunteer. From Boston to the Bay Area and everywhere in between, communities across the country need your help. And whether you want to help out in Biloxi, in some other Gulf Coast city—or are looking for ways to improve your own community, the Hands On Network can help you find an opportunity.