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Austin South Asian | August 2022
How To Make An Impact Through Volunteering And Civic Engagement (Continued From Page 01) a nonpartisan, global nonprofit organization that inspires, equips and mobilizes millions of people to take action that changes the world. “During times of uncertainty, one thing we can be certain of is that the most powerful
force of change is one person making a positive difference.” That’s why Points of Light is leading a joint effort with Phillips 66 and The UPS Foundation to activate individuals, nonprofits and corporate partners to recognize individual action and inspire more people to volunteer in their communities.“Throughout the pandemic and in recent months we’ve seen powerful stories of everyday citizens rising to the occasion to support their local communities and those abroad,” says Paquin.
viduals pro bono, he serves as training coordinator for the state of Maryland, leading efforts to train and certify tax preparation volunteers. • “A small drop in the ocean can make a big difference in the world,” says fourth grader Rayansh Boddu, who joined Recycle My Battery as a vice president and recruited more kids to spread the word. He’s also actively working on Smart Can, which will use AI technology to sort materials needed for recycling in trash. He’s placed over 20 battery bins in different locations and collected more than 25,000 batteries for recycling so far. Getting Started
Getting Inspired
Motivation among Americans is high. In a recent Points of Light survey, a third of respondents said they plan to volunteer more than they did before the pandemic. But figuring out where and how to make an impact is not always straightforward and online resources can help. Points of Light Engage is the world’s largest digital hub for in-person and virtual volunteering and community engagement opportunities.
Volunteers can come from all backgrounds, be of all ages and help in countless ways. Let these amazing stories behind Points of Light’s Daily Point of Light Award honorees inspire you to action:
There are also 177 innovative volunteermobilizing organizations in 37 countries that are a part of the Points of Light Global Network. They provide real-time information on pressing community needs.
• 17-year-old Henry Morse of New Orleans helps run CultureAid Nola. “We are a no barrier, no stigma food distribution center that helps feed over 600 families a week.” Morse arrives at the center every Saturday at 5:30 a.m. and leads volunteers in packing and handing out food to members of his community. “I got involved in March 2020. It grew into something that I am extremely passionate about,” says Morse.
You can find these by visiting pointsoflight. org/volunteer. The site also offers tips for safely volunteering, along with inspiration for alternative means of getting involved through Points of Light’s Civic Circle, such as using your purchasing power, lending your voice to a cause or urging your employer to action.
• After a 30-year Navy career, William Hicks now volunteers in the AARP Tax-Aide program. In addition to personally preparing tax returns for senior and low-income indi-
“We hope you’ll take the time to look for volunteer opportunities and to thank a volunteer in your life,” says Paquin. “Every action, no matter how small, can have an impact and change a life.” (StatePoint)
Six Earth-Friendly Tweaks You Can Make To Your Shopping Habits Did you know that there are many sustainable tweaks you can make to the way you shop? With major companies leading the charge, it’s easier than you might think. For example, Amazon co-founded and became the first signatory to The Climate Pledge
in 2019. Now, more than 300 companies have signed the Pledge and committed to reaching net-zero carbon by 2040, working together and taking bold steps to decarbonize their businesses and fight climate change. As part of the Pledge, Amazon is working to reduce carbon emissions across its own operations, from adding 100,000 electric delivery vehicles to its global delivery fleet and investing in renewable energy, to inventing machine learning algorithms to arrive at the best possible packaging choices for deliveries. Here are six tips to shop more sustainably for yourself: 1. Browse wisely: When browsing Amazon, you can now shop from a selection of more than 300,000 products from more than 20,000 fan-favorite brands such as Honest Company, Columbia and Burt’s Bees designated as “Climate Pledge Friendly.” This ensures these products have one or more of 39 certifications that help protect the natural world. A new private brand, Amazon Aware, now features thoughtfully-designed, affordable, everyday essentials across fashion, home and beauty made from materials such as recycled polyester, organic cotton, and bio-based ingredients with certifications from the Climate Pledge Friendly program specific to product type.
2. Learn more about small brands: Brands, entrepreneurs and startups are overcoming the challenges associated with launching new products. Amazon Launchpad, which provides businesses with support, is sharing unique stories from brands with more sustainable products, including South Korean vegan skincare line, Melixir, as well as GOODSAM, SHANTI BAR, and White Leaf Provisions at Amazon. com/Launchpad. 3. Reuse: Discover and buy refurbished products that have been professionally inspected and tested to work and look like new. At Amazon Renewed, you can find great prices on preowned smartphones, laptops, tablets, desktops, and cameras, across top brands. Products are backed by a 90-day Amazon Renewed Guarantee. You can also look for items offered by Amazon Warehouse to find quality preowned, used, and open-box items, all of which have passed a 20-point quality inspection and are backed by a 30-day return policy. 4. Donate: Shop at smile.amazon.com and AmazonSmile will donate a portion of your eligible purchases to the charity of your choice at no extra cost to you. Participating organizations include a wide range of environmental charities. 5. Don’t trash it, trade it in: Did you know you can trade in certain devices, cell phones and video games for an Amazon gift card? Through Amazon’s Trade-In program, the devices are either restored and re-sold, or recycled, ensuring a more sustainable way to dispose of devices. 6. Recycle: Learn how to recycle packaging in your community by visiting the Amazon Second Chance page at amazon.com/amsc. Additionally, when your orders arrive, find details of how to recycle and dispose of packaging by clicking on the “Returns & Orders” section of your account. The website also features information on how to trade in and recycle products, and how to find open-box and refurbished devices. For more sustainability stories and tips, visit amazon.com. Your purchasing decisions matter and small steps can collectively make a difference. (StatePoint)
