Community in Action:
Your Menu to Connect & Make a Difference
Choose Easy Actions from our Menu below. Download one or all! Get Activated! Each download gives tips …..
Socializing for a Cause
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Craftivism
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Serving Together
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Post Card Writing Parties
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Weekly Rally Therapy
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Socializing for a Cause ✳︎ Craftivism ✳︎ Serving Together ✳︎ Post Card Writing Parties ✳︎ Weekly Rally Therapy ✳︎
Socializing for a Cause
An easy way to build community, raise money, and have fun!
Step 1: Choose Your Cause
Pick a local organization or community effort you’d like to support. Reach out to them to let them know about your idea and confirm that they’re willing to receive the proceeds.
Step 2: Find a Restaurant/Pub/Brewery to Host your Event
Look for a local restaurant, brewery, or other gathering place that offers fundraising nights. Many businesses have established programs where a percentage of sales from a designated evening is donated to a nonprofit.
If you don’t see a fundraising program advertised, don’t be afraid to ask! A local business may be happy to work with you to create one.
Step 3: Pick a Date & Time
Work with the restaurant to choose your fundraising date. Most fundraising nights run throughout the restaurant’s regular meal period, allowing people to participate whenever it’s convenient for them.
But choose a specific time for everyone to gather and socialize (ie. 6:00–8:00 PM). This gives people a chance to meet new friends, reconnect with old ones, and enjoy being part of something together.
Step 4: Spread the Word
Invite your like-minded friends, family, neighbors, coworkers, and community members.
Share the details through:
Facebook, IG and other social media
Community groups
Personal outreach ie. text messages, phone calls, etc. (personal messages are the best way to get people out!)
Be sure to explain how the fundraiser works and what people need to do to make sure their purchase counts toward the fundraiser (some restaurants require a flyer, code, or special ordering procedure).
Step 5: Show Up & Socialize!
This is the fun part! 🥳
Come together, grab a meal or drink, meet some new people, catch up with friends, and enjoy the evening…all while supporting a good cause.
Step 6: Celebrate the Impact
After the event, share the results! Let everyone know how much was raised and thank the restaurant, participants, and the organization that benefited.
Take a few pictures and share them with your community. Celebrating the impact helps build momentum for the next Socializing for a Cause event.!
Why It Works
It’s an easy win/win/win:
People get a fun night out with friends and neighbors.
A worthy cause receives much-needed support.
A local business gets new customers and community exposure.
Our community gets stronger through connection and shared purpose.
Craftivism
“Craftivism” is a joyful way to build community and soothe the soul, while making a difference.
Craftivism combines crafting + activism, using creativity to support a cause, strengthen your community, spread a message, or simply bring people together around a common cause.
You don't have to be “crafty” to organize or participate! Choose projects that welcome all interests and abilities. The goal is connection and action not the next Monet. 😉
Here are a few craftivism ideas to get you started:
Friendship Bracelets 📿
Make bracelets with messages like VOTE, HOPE, KINDNESS, UNITY, or RESIST to wear or share.
Painted Rocks
Create rocks with encouraging messages, positive affirmations, voting reminders or beautiful imagery. Leave them for others to discover or give them to friends and neighbors.
Encouragement Cards
Make cards for teachers, first responders, volunteers, poll workers, activists, seniors, or people going through a difficult time.
Banners & Bunting
Create colorful banners with messages of hope, inclusion, unity, or community to display at events or in your neighborhood.
Craft + Give
Combine crafting with a donation project: decorate care bags, make fleece blankets, create no-sew scarves, assemble hygiene kits, or add handmade notes to donated items.
Buttons, Pins & Stickers
Create simple messages people can wear, display, or pass along.
Tips on organizing your own Craftivism gathering:
Step 1: Choose a purpose:
What matters to you? Voting, kindness, the environment, supporting a local organization, helping neighbors, or simply spreading hope? Let your purpose inspire your project.Step 2: Pick a project
Choose something easy, affordable, and accessible.Step 3: Gather supplies
Make a list and ask people to bring what they have. Craft stores, dollar stores, and reuse centers can be great sources for inexpensive supplies.
Step 4: Find a location
A living room, backyard, community room, library, church, coffee shop, or other welcoming space can work. You don't need anything fancy.
Step 5: Invite like-minded people
Start small! Invite friends, neighbors, coworkers, family, or other like-minded people who share your interest in the cause. You can always grow from there.
Step 6: Make it joyful!
Put on some music. Have snacks. Encourage conversation and laughter. The gathering itself is part of the action.
You might be surprised by what happens around the table: people connect, ideas emerge, friendships grow, and everyone leaves feeling a little more hopeful and a lot more energized!
Serving Your Community Together
Want to make a difference in your community? Do it together!
“I truly believe that when we work together, we can build the strongest, kindest, and most connected community possible.”
~Dolly Parton
There are countless organizations working every day to support people in need. Instead of trying to reinvent the wheel, find an organization that is already doing meaningful work and bring a group of people together to help.
Volunteering as a group is a great way to strengthen your local community while building your own community of kind, like-minded people who want to make a difference.
How to organize a group service opportunity:
1. Find an organization
Research organizations in your community that serve people who need support. Look for food pantries, shelters, community kitchens, support for immigrants, environmental groups, or other nonprofits whose mission speaks to you.
2. Find a group opportunity
Contact the organization and ask about volunteer opportunities that can accommodate a group (this info can often be found on the website). A group of 10–15 people is often a good size, but every organization is different. The organization can then hold a block of volunteer spots for you and your group.
3. Get the details:
Before inviting people, make sure you understand exactly what is expected. Ask about:
Date, time, and location & group size
Physical requirements and any age restrictions
What volunteers will be doing
What to wear or bring
Parking directions
Registration or waivers if applicable
Any other rules or instructions
4. Spread the word
Advertise the opportunity through your network of friends, family, neighbors, coworkers, community groups, or other like-minded people.
5. Pass along all necessary info
Make sure everyone receives the organization’s instructions before the service day. For example: wear closed-toe shoes, bring water, be prepared to lift boxes, wear clothes that can get dirty, arrive 15 minutes early, or complete a volunteer form in advance.
6. Show up and serve!
Show up, and let the organization lead the way. Remember: you’re there to support their work and fill a need they’ve identified. Bring a positive attitude and be ready to pitch in!
Suggestions on what to bring as an organizer: (but not necessary)
Name tags (if org doesn’t provide them)
Portable speaker - helps keep it upbeat to work with music
Water and/or snacks
When we serve together, we aren’t just helping an organization, we’re building relationships, strengthening our communities, and reminding ourselves that we all have something to contribute and there are so many good people willing to help their neighbor!