How do we show love to our communities? We stop asking, and start doing! Here are a few simple but impactful ways to show love to your community during the month of love and well beyond:
South Africa (11 February 2024) — To show love to our communities is perhaps one of the greatest acts of love we have ever undertaken. And yet, it also happens to be the one act of love many pull back on.
Most of us have danced the dance of showing love to significant others in all the ways that warm hearts. In the best circumstances, bouquets of flowers call for the biggest hugs and long love letters can easily make a grown man cry with appreciation. And like any gift of effort, both the receiver and the giver feel extra special in the moment. We love romantic love as much as the next writer, but we also know that these are far from the only loving acts that we should embrace as long as we’re here.
As we all know, February is filled with an annual reason to show love to those we love. So, shouldn’t our communities fall part of that wish list?
Because we do love the public spaces in concrete jungles that bring us solace. And the oceans that bring us so much joy. Most of us also love the prospect of our future generation getting a real chance to be part of an incredible future for all of us. And we love the everyday heroes who actually do something about all that which we complain about.
To show love to your community, in whichever way that resonates with you, is to say I am part of this community because I believe in it. I see its hope. And its wonderful workings. It is to say, “I am South African, because I identify with more than just myself.”
Here are a few simple, but impactful ways to show love to your community during the month of love:
- Adopt a pavement to maintain or give a makeover to the spots you frequent (email info@betterbedfordview.org.za)
- Take a dog on a date for Valentine’s Day to give animal heroes you appreciate a break
- Create a tiny library in your area for everyone to exchange books
- Host a cupcake party for the cancer warriors you know or want others to know about
- Support a food garden in an area close to your heart
- Join a Random Acts of Crochet Kindness group to make someone’s day, any day
- Or make your knitting count in other ways with these community projects
- Do something bold as a campaign fundraiser for a community cause that inspires you (Peet Botma is an amazing recent example!)
- Join regular environmental clean-ups or make your space beautiful by joining these initiatives
- Gift a tree to someone you love which in turn will create a greener community
- Find a charity that touches your heart and spread the word about their missions loudly and proudly!
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