Healthy happy you.
Until they reach their pre-teen years, kids love to see their parents at their school. From book fairs and bake sales to auctions and snack delivery, schools are always turning to parents for a helping hand. Seventy-two percent of LilSugar readers said they volunteer at their lil one's school in one form or another. But how easy is it to actually do so? While some schools are opting for a more Read more
Lunch-room server, field-trip driver, library aid, or PTA president? However they do it, many moms make time to volunteer at their children's school. Teachers and administrators appreciate the help and the youngsters love seeing their parents on campus. But for working moms, it's not as easy to find the time to lend two helping hands. Mamas on the payroll are often limited to weekend activities Read more
Exercise and volunteering can seem like extras in our lives that we just don't have time for, so why not combine the two? There are organizations such as Get Fit With Fido in Seattle where you can volunteer to exercise shelter dogs. Walking or running with a dog is a great skill you can offer, and not only will the pooch love the attention and fresh air, but you'll also benefit from the furry Read more
Doing community service is good for the world, but did you know it can also be good for your health? Giving your time to a worthy cause can increase your overall happiness. Fittingly, I learned this while reading a story in Woman's Day entitled "What Doctors Wish You'd Do" — while waiting for a doctor's appointment. According to the article, volunteers who donated just 40 hours of their time Read more
The inaugural festivities are not only focused on the swearing in ceremony and balls that will take place tomorrow, the Obama-Biden transition team has designated today as the nation's first National Day of Service. The President-elect and Vice-President-elect will be participating in several DC-area projects and are encouraging Americans to go into their communities and volunteer in a Read more
Baby showers are wonderful events, but they often result in a few gifts that parents will never use. Instead of passing them off to friends who are already overwhelmed with baby gear, consider donating them to Newborns in Need. Established in 1992, "Newborns in Need, Inc. (NIN) is a 501(c)3 charity organized to take care of sick and needy babies and their families; and in cases of crisis, to help Read more
Burning calories does not always mean spending 30 minutes on the treadmill. In fact there are a lot of ways we can burn calories while doing something good for others or the environment. Think about joining National River Cleanup — the most popular and successful stream and river cleanup program in the country. It has removed 1,000 tons of litter and debris from America's rivers and streams. Read more
The holiday season is in full swing so we thought it would be a fitting time to teach lil ones about giving back to the community. For the next few Mondays, we will offer you suggestions on how your family can help those in need. Today's focus: volunteering at a local soup kitchen. Just about every city or town has a community center — be it a university, a church, a synagogue or a YMCA — Read more
At the humane society near my home, they're always looking for volunteers. Since I have such a soft spot in my heart for animals, like my pal PetSugar, I was checking out ways to help out and saw the perfect job. You and your significant other can volunteer as dog walkers. You usually have to have some kind of orientation first, but then after that you can show up and take the dogs that are Read more
No one likes to be lonely. Now, not only is it not fun, it's also really bad for you, healthwise. It is being reported that loneliness may accelerate the rate of physical decline that occurs naturally with age. Later in life, lonely people appear to have significantly higher blood pressure than the non-lonely. What's more? Being lonely may also affect the quality of your sleep. Jeez, talk about Read more
