Join Us in Celebrating Earth Day

[Briana Hartzell USAA]

Today, April 22^nd, is Earth Day a global celebration encouraging education and stewardship of the planet’s natural resources. The predominant theme for this year is “Sharing Our Resources”.  Every day we are sharing the earth's natural resources (air, water, land) and now is the time to share our resources of time and talents with our community and neighbors in need. 

Here are some activities you can do to commemorate Earth Day:

1. Virtual Volunteering:

In these challenging times, small acts of kindness and everyday actions of community service are more important than ever. I want to encourage you to do what you can to help your neighbors through this difficult situation, while still adhering to your current city ordinances/social distancing guidelines. There are plenty of ways to support people in your community with whatever time you have.

Here are some ideas:

• Buy groceries for people who are self-quarantined
• Share your food or supplies with a friend who cannot as easily get to the grocery store
• Walk your neighbor’s dog
• Donate blood
• Write and send thank you notes to hospital staff or first responders
• Support local small businesses by ordering take-out, buying a gift card for future use
• Record yourself reading a story to friend/family member's children (or set a date to Facetime or Zoom)
• Offer virtual tutoring through local community Facebook pages to help students with distance learning

2. Spend time Outdoors

Spending time outside can reduce stress and anxiety, improve mood, energy and sleep. You can try taking a twenty-minute walk around the block, a short bike ride or try a family scavenger hunt.

A few ideas to add to your scavenger hunt list:

• Complete three tree bark rubbings
• Draw two spring flowers
• Locate hummingbirds or bees
• Dispose of litter or trash on the ground (remove carefully with bag or gloves to be safe!)
• Take a picture of three rocks
• Find a recycle sign

3. Online Document Delivery:

Join USAA members who’ve chosen the convenience and security of online document delivery.

4. Reuse and Recycle:

This Recycle 101 list can help you analyze what you are tossing in the landfill and identify if those items can be recycled, reused or composted. Don’t forget to use reusable bags when you go shopping (you can toss them in the washing machine when you are done). 

What can you do to “share your resources” this Earth Day? How are you making choices that can change the Earth for better during these unprecedented times?