25 Ways To Respond To the Obamas' Summer Invitation

Education

• Collect backpacks and school supplies at your house of worship and donate them to disadvantaged kids at a Boy's and Girl's Club.
• Do a book drive for a head start.
• Try one of these fundraising ideas and contribute the money to teachers at a near-by school for purchasing classroom supplies.
• Support innovative teachers in creating classroom projects by contributing to DonorsChoose.org.
• Volunteer for an adult literacy organization, Read-Aloud Delaware or a Boy's and Girl's Club tutoring program. (Contact RSVP)

Health

• Start a walking club in your neighborhood.
• Share some of the bounty from your home garden with low-income seniors in public housing.
• Purchase copies of the medical self-care manual "Healthwise for Life" and give them to everyone you know 50+. The book can help reduce unnecessary visits to the doctor or emergency room.
• If you practice tai chi, qigong or yoga do your daily exercise in a park and share what you know with others.
• Volunteer with a hospital, hospice or nursing home. (Contact RSVP)

Community Renewal

• Clean-up a vacant lot or public area.
• Paint over graffiti.
• Organize others to paint a mural.
• Clean out the gutters, do yard work or some painting for an elderly neighbor.
• Start a community garden with some kids.
• Hold a food drive at your house of worship for the Delaware Food Bank.
• Start or join a community watch program.
• Hold a winter coat, hat and mitten drive for a homeless shelter or community clothing closet.
• Adopt a new immigrant family in the neighborhood.
• Collect personal hygiene products for a homeless shelter.
• Hold a charity carnival for neighborhood kids and let them donate the proceeds to the nonprofit of their choice.
• If you are a crafter, donate to one of these national charities.
• Volunteer with Habitat for Humanity or the Delaware Food Bank. (Contact RSVP)

Energy and the Environment

• Conduct an energy audit of your home.
• Purchase energy saving light bulbs for yourself and an elderly neighbor.
• Label storm drains in your neighborhood to prevent the dumping of hazardous materials.
• Organize a car pool.
• Participate in a Backyard Habitat Program.
• Organize a hazardous waste collection with your neighbors.
• Start a compost pile or home recycling program.