112 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM FRESH WAYS TO GIVE BACK 10 There’s nothing like play time after a ruff day. Animal shelters are always looking for a paws-itive way to keep their residents active and entertained. If you have a knack for crafting and a fondness for furry friends, grab some colorful materials and create your own pet toys. Whether you opt to sew a stuffy or tie up a tug blanket, you can use a wide variety of accessible materials like cloth and cotton to create the perfect puppy plaything. Call ahead to a local shelter like Pets In Need or the Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA to learn about the rules regarding enrichment materials and how the donation process works. For some pro toy-making tips, check out articles on websites like thisdogslife.co and projectcanis.org. 8. MAKE A DOG’S DAY Many of us spend a lot of time on social media—why not use it to help others? With the rise of online platforms like Instagram, nonprofit organizations can gather support faster and easier. However, it takes an avid user to understand the possibilities of the algorithm. Utilize your social media knowledge to build an online presence for groups that are struggling to get their name out into the volunteering ether. Find organizations on sites like volunteermatch.org, then check their social media accounts to determine whether or not they could benefit from a revamp. Reach out to them directly and work out how you can best support their online goals. 9. USE SOCIAL MEDIA FOR GOOD MAKE MUSIC 10. Through music, we express ourselves and connect with one another. Empower kids with physical and mental health conditions to find their voices by helping them write and produce their own songs with Hear Your Song. Bringing the beat since 2014, this nonprofit organization has recorded over 300 songs with kids across the nation, featuring a wide variety of topics and genres. Volunteers can assist along any step of the way: helping write lyrics, recording vocals, composing instrumental tracks or filming music videos. Eager helpers with non-musical gifts can also pitch in on the business side with marketing, fundraising and more. Songwriting sessions happen over Zoom, so anyone with stable internet and the desire to jam out can get involved. Whether you love to tickle the ivories or rock and roll, jump on the bandwagon at hearyoursong.org.
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