Philanthropy should be an integral part of everyone’s lives; it’s the best way to make the world a better place and connect with those around you. Whether you’re focusing on large-scale philanthropy and working to solve a global issue or doing something within your own community, there are endless benefits to making philanthropy a part of your life. If you’re looking for more ways to be more philanthropic, focusing on small acts you can do every day is a good start and can make a serious difference in how you approach your daily life. Recycle While many people already recycle, there are still a lot who do not. There also often seems to be confusion over what can and cannot be recycled; educate yourself and others. If you do not currently recycle in your home, take steps to get it picked up and begin sorting your garbage. If you cannot get recycling at your home, see if your neighborhood has a community-wide place you can take your recycling. This step is an easy way to make a big difference. Help a neighbor You may not realize it, but you’re sure to have neighbors who need help from time to time. If you have elderly neighbors or someone who lives alone, consider offering help, especially when it snows. Check on them and see how they’re doing. Even just visiting them can be helpful and become a highlight of their day. Clean up a public area If you have some free time and are in a park or other public area, pick up any trash you see lying around. You can work on this act of charity on your own time or you can try to organize a specific event with other people to accomplish even more. Clean and safe parks are a great asset for any community and it’s often difficult for towns to maintain the upkeep themselves; it’s up to volunteers to make sure that the park stays at its best. Volunteer Regular volunteering is a fantastic idea, but if your schedule doesn’t allow for it, volunteering in short bursts or for individual events is a great option. Keep a lookout for one-time events that need volunteers and then offer a few hours; your time will be appreciated, no matter how much you can give. Many community events rely completely on volunteers to function. There are also plenty of organizations that need more volunteers for yearly fundraising events that you can help out.