We’re lucky to be part of a friendly community who takes care of one another! Here are some out of the box ideas for some random acts of kindness this month.

1. Support local businesses. Before you head to a large chain restaurant for dinner, remember the family business who needs you to stay afloat. They also tend to put more heart and thought into your food, so it will be better tasting and better for you!

2. Find opportunities to give compliments. It costs nothing, takes no time, and could make someone’s entire day. Don’t just think it. Say it.

3. One easy way to ensure you write a nice note to someone every day is to do it first thing in the morning. Pick a different friend, family member, or co-worker every morning and send them a quick “I just wanted to say…” or “Thinking of you.”

4. Share extra resources you have that may be out of stock in stores, even if it’s just one roll of toilet paper (unwrapped) in a neighbor’s mailbox.

5. Take five minutes to send cards to sick children who are fighting serious illnesses and want to receive mail. Send mail to Cards for Hospitalized Kids, which delivers the cards to children in US hospitals. A great activity for individuals, families and classrooms.

6. Give to local organizations. There are so many organizations that are doing good for your community already. Support them! Two great local non-profits we love are Place of Hope and Big Dog Ranch Rescue, but there are many more as well. Get the whole family involved in choosing who to donate to or volunteer for each month! Here’s a great database to find one near you: https://greatnonprofits.org/city/jupiter/FL

7. If you’re heading to the store, ask anyone close who may be either overwhelmed or unable to go into public if they’d like you to pick anything up for them. Super helpful!

8. Say “thank you” to someone who made a difference. Send a card to people who dedicate their lives to helping us – soldiers, police officers, fire fighters and teachers to name a few.

9. Send cards to lonely seniors. 13-year-old Jacob Cramer started Love for the Elderly, which distributes letters to American seniors via senior centers and nonprofit organizations.

10. No matter how busy we all may be, remember to be generally kind and considerate. When you are driving, let people merge. When you’re in parking lots, be patient with people crossing the road. When you’re at the store, look people in the eye and ask how their day is going, then genuinely listen when they answer. You never know what people are going through.