Leap Into Action

How often do you find yourself saying, “If only I had more time…”

This year you do — 24 hours to be exact. It is Leap Year, and that means we each get the gift of an extra day this month.  

What are you going to do with your extra 24 hours, or your extra day of pay, in February?  Instead of putting it all into regular routine, consider investing some of this bonus time and money in doing good for others.  If you have children or grandchildren, get them involved, too, and teach our “leaders in training” about the satisfaction that comes when they serve others.

Ready to leap into action? Here are 10 of my favorite things, most of which you can do in two hours or less:

1. Share your love of books with children by volunteering to read to a class during I Love to Read Month.  Contact your local school (or a teacher friend) for more information.
2. Fight starvation. Volunteer to pack meals at Feed My Starving Children.  Shifts last about two hours and are located in Eagan, or at mobile sites around the Twin Cities. To sign up, go to www.fmsc.org.
3. Show off your musical talent.  Schedule a 30-60 minute performance by you and/or the kids at Woodbury Care Center.  Go to www.woodburyseniorliving.com/volunteer.html for more information.  Try to get your entry in two weeks in advance of the selected date.
4. Nourish the hungry in the Twin Cities.  363 Days accepts sandwiches that they distribute on the streets and in shelters.  You and your family and friends can easily make and pack 100 sandwiches in an hour or two -- even the little ones can get involved!  Head to www.363days.org for more information.
5. Clean out a closet and give your clothing to a cause.  The Christian Closet at Woodbury Lutheran distributes clothing to people in need on Friday mornings (drop off at the lower west entrance; seasonally appropriate clothing only).  Or drop clothing and other items at Goodwill or Savers, which donate part of their proceeds to charities. 
6. Tie one on!  Gather friends or family and make fleece tie blankets www.instructables.com/id/No-Sew-Fleece-Blanket for the homeless. Your blankets will be accepted at Union Gospel Mission, www.ugmtc.org.  Contact UGM at 651-228-1800.  
7. Invite your neighbors to a Leap Day Pounding Potluck.  Ask them to bring a potluck dish to share, and a pound of food for the Woodbury Christian Cupboard.  This foodshelf serves approximately 450 families a month in our area.  A food drop box is located inside the south entrance of Woodbury Lutheran Church, 7380 Afton Road.
8. Invest your extra day's pay in a third-world business.  KIVA makes loans to businesses and individuals around the world.  Go to www.kiva.org to learn about their international microloan programs.  You can donate as little as $25. 
9. Make it personal.  Sometimes we miss the obvious: There are many opportunities to do good right under your nose.  Offer to run errands with an elderly relative, bring a meal to neighbors who have recently been unemployed, or invite a friend who you haven’t seen in a long time to lunch and lend a listening ear. 
10. No need to leave home.  Take Leap Day off of work and spend it in the kitchen preparing a surprise "thanks giving" dinner for your family.  Charity at home could well pay off with your family giving thanks for you!

Do not wait until February 29 to decide what you’re going to do with your extra day, extra pay – Get hopping now. 

P.S.  While you’re doing good, capture your pictures on camera, Email them to me and I will share them on Patch.  Your inspiration could create a tidal wave of goodwill in our community.