H OW W E C AN H ELP O UR C OMMUNITY Kristen Osiniak, ©2015 Image from Microsoft Corporation (2010)

K EY T ERMS TO K NOW Community – A place where people live, work, and play. Common good – Doing what is best for everyone. Volunteer – A person who chooses to do something without getting paid. Nonprofit – Not for profit, or money. Recycle – To use something over again. Definitions from Our Communities (2005)

W HY V OLUNTEER ? Volunteering is good for YOU and the community. Volunteering allows you to help others when they are in need. You can make new friends when you volunteer. You can learn more about your community by becoming a volunteer. Image from Microsoft Corporation (2010) Information from PBS Kids (2005)

R ECYCLING IN THE C OMMUNITY Image from Microsoft Corporation (2010) Recycling is a common way that people can help the environment and their communities. Using recycled objects to make new products saves energy and resources. -Metals -Cardboard -Paper -Plastics -Glass -Batteries -Electronics

H ABITAT F OR H UMANITY Logo from Habitat for Humanity (2015) What is Habitat for Humanity? Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit group that helps families build homes for themselves ( Our Communities, 2005). Habitat homes are built for families who may not be able to afford a home of their own. Volunteers work together to make the dream of owning a home possible for local families. ►Click on the Habitat for Humanity Logo to learn about this organization. Write down 2 pieces of information you find interesting or surprising. A group of volunteers working on a project. Image from Microsoft Office (2010)

S ECOND H ARVEST F OOD B ANK Picture and Information from Second Harvest Food Bank (2012) The Second Harvest Food Bank was established in the early 1980s. They currently serve 153 hunger-relief organizations throughout the Columbiana, Mahoning, and Trumbull Counties. Hunger in Our Valley Fact: 15,000 requests each week for food from the Food Bank Fact: 31,000 children in our community live in poverty Fact: More than 50% of children in our valley are eligible for free and reduced- price meals  Click on the picture to learn more about the Second Harvest Food Bank.

O THER S ERVICE I DEAS Encourage recycling in your school Once a month, switch seats at lunch and make new friends Have a diversity day Grow a school garden Organize a food drive Plant a garden Help an elderly neighbor Clean up parks Volunteer at a local animal shelter Donate old toys and clothes to local organizations At SchoolIn Your Community

A T H OME A CTIVITY - Talk with a family member about the following points: What is one thing YOU learned from the PowerPoint? Has your family member ever helped in the community? If yes, what did they do? If no, would they be interested in helping? Talk about one thing you can do as a family to make a difference in the community.

C REDITS Banks, J.A., Boehm, R.G., Colleary, K.P., Contreras, G., Goodwin, A.L., McFarland, M. A., & Parker, W.C. (2005). Our communities. New York: Macmillan/McGraw-Hill Habitat for Humanity (2015). Habitat for Humanity International. Retrieved February 2015 from: Mahoning Valley Second Harvest Food Bank (2012). Second Harvest Food Bank Home. Retrieved February 2015 from: Microsoft Corporation (2010). PowerPoint Clip Art. Seattle, Washington. PBS Kids (2005). Volunteering: Why should I do it? Retrieved February 2015 from: The US EPA’s Recycle City (February 20, 2015). Welcome to Recycle City. Retrieved February 2015 from Additional Reading Materials Dillon, L. & Dillion, D. (2014). If kids ran the world. New York: Blue Sky Press. DiSalvo, D. (2001). A castle on Viola Street. United States of America: HarperCollins. McKay, K, & Bonnin, J. (2008). True green kids: 100 things you can do to save the planet. U.S.A.: True Green Miller, E. (2014). Recycling day. New York: Holiday House. Olien, R. (2007). Kids care! : 75 ways to make a difference for people, animals, & the environment. Nashville, Tennessee: Williamson Books.