25 Scary Easy Ways to Do Good

Oct 23, 2018 | by The Salvation Army

“Doing the Most Good” is a promise The Salvation Army has made since its inception more than one hundred years ago. But we can’t achieve this important mission alone.

We’ve been hosting weekly Do-Good Challenges for a few months now and love hearing how you’ve made a positive difference in the lives of others. When we started sharing these “challenges,” one point quickly became clear: doing good doesn’t have to be hard, costly, or time-consuming.

As proof, we’ve created this list of scary-easy ways to do good, whether it be in your community, at work, for friends, among family, or even at home. Most of these opportunities cost fewer than $5 and can be done in 5 minutes or less. If you’re looking for more ways to make a difference this holiday season, we recently unveiled our Holiday Volunteer Calendar with a variety of opportunities for individuals and groups looking to get involved. If you register for our annual Red Kettle Campaign, you can feed more than a dozen hungry children with just two hours of your time!

To share how doing good has made an impact on your life or the lives of others, feel free to email us or connect with us on social media. We love hearing about the difference you’re making in our community.

1. Pick up an extra coffee during your daily Starbucks run for your coworker who’s always running late.
2. Or, if you don’t know what your coworkers drink, consider paying for the person behind you in line.
3. Let another car merge into your lane.
4. Spend five minutes picking up trash in your neighborhood or outside your office.
5. In a parking lot, offer to return someone’s shopping cart.
6. At home, do a chore or task that your partner usually handles, like taking the trash out or emptying the dishwasher.
7. Mail a friend, family member, or coworker a handwritten card with some positive encouragement.
8. Or write to an active duty military member to encourage them and thank them for their service. There are a few websites that making this easy.
9. Give a compliment that’s not based on someone’s physical appearance.
10. Volunteer with a local organization like The Salvation Army or Second Harvest Food Bank.
11. Let someone go ahead of you in a line.
12. Offer to watch a friend or family member’s kids so they can enjoy some time alone.
13. Reconnect with a friend you haven’t spoken to in a long time.  
14. Bring a dozen donuts or bagels for your coworkers.
15. Congratulate a coworker or friend on their recent accomplishment.
16. Make a small donation to an acquaintance or friend’s Go Fund Me page.
17. Share an uplifting photo or quote on your social media accounts.
18. Leave an extra big tip for your waiter or waitress.
19. Offer to do yard work for an elderly neighbor.
20. Give coupons to someone who could use them.
21. Ask someone how a cashier, waiter, or another service worker how their day is going and genuinely listen to their response.
22. Leave a kind note for your postal worker.
23. Attend a local sporting event and cheer for all of the players.
24. Offer to give a ride to someone who doesn't have a car.
25. Compliment a parent on their children.