Ask God to prepare you for being the Hands and Heart of Jesus this month
Post on social media about the 29 Ways in 29 Days – don’t forget to tag PLR
First Responders
Send a care or letter expressing appreciation
Send them some food! Order some pizza for a local fire department
Actively participate in safety initiatives, such as neighborhood watch programs, to contribute to a safer community and show solidarity with first responders.
Organize appreciation drives where community members drop off small tokens of gratitude, such as thank-you cards or gift cards, at local first responder stations.
Community Care Day
Take a walk and pick up all the trash you see along the way
Attend local community meetings or town halls to stay informed about community needs and initiatives.
Encourage others in your circles to support local
Simple things like slowing down on the roads makes a big difference!
Pastor Appreciation Day
Write your pastor a thank you card – maybe even a gift card!
Let them know you’re praying for them.
Bring them food.
Participate in church events and initiatives
Post about your appreciation of them on social media
Develop a kindness calendar where church members commit to performing daily acts of kindness for the pastor throughout a designated month.
Charities/volunteer
Research local charities and organizations in your area. Find a favorite and volunteer or donate to it!
Make a post on social media talking about the good they do in the community – help spread the word
Host a donation drive, be it food, clothes, or whatever your favorite charity needs.
Try to shop at stores that support local charities and nonprofits.
Teacher/Mentor Appreciation
Write them a thank you note / send them a gift card
Buy something on their classroom wish list
Volunteer with the school
Schedule a coffee date and let them know you appreciate them.
Donate to a cause they support in their name
Coworkers
Get a treat for the office
Leave a note for a coworker telling them why you appreciate them
Volunteer to take on a task no one enjoys
Take a moment during team meetings to recognize and appreciate individual contributions or efforts.
Include a line expressing gratitude in your email signature, reminding coworkers of the positive impact they have on the team.
Get-together day!
Heb. 10:24-25 – And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
Check out the PLR Community calendar and find something fun to go to
Talk to your church about organizing in-person events to foster a community of togetherness
Maybe it’s a morning coffee and prayer meeting, or a once a week potluck and bible study
Or go big and start a youth group or monthly game night!
Look into local clubs to find a way to spend more time with the people in your community. If you can find one, make one!
Volunteer – it’s a great way to help your community and be a part of it
Literacy Promotion
Establish a “Free Little Library” where community members can leave or take books, promoting kindness through sharing literature. – or donate some to one that already exists!
Volunteer at the local library
Spend time reading with the kids in your life
Collect and donate gently used books to local schools, libraries, or community centers.
Volunteer with America Reads
Educate yourself about literacy programs in your area
Support Network – friends, family, all those who are there for you when you need it.
Send them a picture of a happy memory together. Tell them why it means something to you. You can post this on social media too!
Send surprise thank-you cards or small gifts by mail to show your appreciation unexpectedly.
Take the time to express your thanks in person, perhaps over a meal or during a casual meetup.
Offer to do something meaningful to them – watch their favorite movie, engage in their hobby, do something to be a part of their world.
Neighbor Appreciation Day
Prepare a small basket of game day snacks like popcorn, chips, or homemade treats and leave it at your neighbor’s doorstep with a note expressing your appreciation.
Organize a casual Super Bowl potluck where neighbors can contribute their favorite dishes, creating a shared and enjoyable experience.
Extend a helping hand with tasks like carrying groceries, shoveling snow, or watering plants.
Write a brief thank-you note expressing your gratitude for their presence and neighborly gestures.
Make Peace/Empathetic Communication
Is there someone you haven’t talked to in awhile because they did THAT? Today is the day to make peace.
An important part of maintaining peace in your relationships is engaging in empathic communication.
Recognize and respect that people may have different perspectives and experiences. Embrace diversity and learn from each other.
If emotions are running high, take a break to cool off before continuing the conversation. This helps prevent escalation.
Practice active listening by giving your full attention, making eye contact, and nodding to show understanding.
Remember to pray when moving to make peace – and when trying to communicate better. It’s not necessarily natural to us and we need God’s help to be more like Him.
Homeless/Houseless
Buy some warm food or drink for someone you know needs it.
Assemble care packages with items like snacks, water, toiletries, and information about local shelters and services.
Volunteer to help at local shelters
Talk to you church about developing an outreach program – if there already is one find out how you can help
(valentines) Spouse/Loved Ones
Take the 5 Love Languages Test together – commit to showing love to each other in the way the other feels it most.
Leave notes where you know your partner will find them with affirmations or special messages for them
Go old fashioned – write them a love letter and mail it to them as a surprise!
Offer to do something meaningful to them – watch their favorite movie, engage in their hobby, do something to be a part of their world.
Mental Health Awareness/Mindful Health and Wellness
It starts with us.
Practice active listening when someone wants to talk about their mental health, offering a compassionate and understanding ear.
Incorporate mindfulness practices into your daily routine, such as meditation, deep breathing exercises, or mindful walks.
Encourage open conversations about mental health by sharing your own experiences or participating in discussions.
Encourage friends and family to regularly check in with each other, fostering a sense of community and support.
Share mental health awareness posts, articles, and resources on your social media platforms to reach a wider audience.
Include mental health awareness messages or helpline information in your email signature to reach a broader audience.
Educate yourself about resources in your area and get involved
Family
Make an appreciation post on social media.
Start a family gratitude jar. Encourage each family member to write down things they’re grateful for and add them to the jar regularly.
Organize a family game night – you do a virtual game night for families that may not live together anymore (You can still spend sibling time together after you move out!)
Call them, or sit down and have an electronic free quality time
(RAK day) Random Acts of Kindness
Can be as easy as smiling at a stranger or something big!
Compliment someone – it can completely turn someone’s day around
Start a Pay it Forward chain in the drive-through
Make sure to say thank you and leave a tip when you get your coffee
Return the shopping cars – yours and one of the loose ones in the parking lot
Donate Plasma/BLood at a local center
Share inspirational or uplifting content on your social media platforms.
Pet day
Donate pet supplies and toys to the local shelter/humane society
Volunteer your time – go take the dogs for a walk or spend some time cuddling the cats
Give your pets some extra love – give them a special treat or spend some extra time playing with them
Call your vet’s office – chances are there’s a shelter or sanctuary that has a balance with them. Offer to pay some of it.
Post a picture of your furry friend to social media and share what they mean to you! Don’t forget to tag PLR!
Cultural Exchange Day
Celebrate diversity through music, food, and art – cook a meal from a culture you want to learn more about. Listen to their music while you do!
Attend local cultural events, performances, or festivals to learn more about different traditions. – check the PLR Community Calendar!
Use an app like Duolingo to learn another language
Or take it to another level and participate in language exchange groups to learn and practice languages from different cultures.
Follow influencers, content creators, or podcasts from different countries on social media to gain insights into their daily lives.
Post on social media things you appreciate about the culture you’ve been learning about or interested in
Parents/Guardians
Even if the ones who raised you are no longer with us/ we can still show them some love and appreciation.
Make a post on social media about how much they mean to you.
Cook their favorite meal! If they are still around and nearby, share it with them. Otherwise, spend the time you enjoy it thinking about them.
Make a donation to their favorite charity in their honor
Spend time with them
Substance Abuse Awareness
Educate yourself – Spend a few minutes each week reading articles, books, or reliable online resources about substance abuse to stay informed.
Share informative posts, articles, or graphics related to substance abuse on your social media platforms to raise awareness.
Be a safe place in loved ones life so they can feel safe coming to you about any problems. Sometimes, a non-judgmental conversation can make a difference.
Spread awareness about safe disposal of unused or expired medications to prevent substance misuse. Many pharmacies provide drop-off locations.
Share substance abuse hotlines on social media
Local Business
Choose to shop at local businesses rather than online whenever possible. This simple choice helps support the local economy.
A good way to do this is going to local farmer’s markets and artisans fairs
Buy gift cards to local restaurants as gifts for loved ones (or yourself)
Leave positive reviews on online platforms like Google, Yelp, or social media to boost the visibility and reputation of local businesses.
Physical Health
Get Moving! Even something as simple as walking for 5 extra minutes, taking the stars instead of the elevator, or parking a little bit farther from the store can go a long way to getting yourself more active
Most of us don’t get anywhere near the veggies and fruit they need everyday. Look at your diet and find ways you can sneak more into your life.
Share healthy recipes on your social media page
Commit to one vegetarian day a week or month in your home
“Earth Day”
Recycle correctly
A lot of us actually recycle wrong. Look up your local recycling facility requirements and set up a recycling system at home and ensure you’re recycling materials correctly based on your local guidelines.
For instance, make sure any food or food residue is gone from anything intended to be recycled
Even items that have the recycling symbol may not be accepted for recycling in your program or even in the state – make sure what you’re trying to recycle is accepted where you are.
Many places require your recyclables to be sorted beforehand, or for certain objects to be recycled separately from your more common recyclables. Make sure you are following local ordinances for your items.
Go meat-free once a week
Begin composting
Set up a recycling system at home and ensure you’re recycling materials correctly based on your local guidelines – and save on that utility bill
Donate clothes and shop second-hand
Join or organize local community clean-ups to contribute to a cleaner environment.
(letter to elderly day) Elderly Support
It’s national write a letter to the elderly day – send a letter to an older person in your life
Volunteer some time at a nursing home or hospice in your area.
Send flowers to a local nursing home
Organize technology workshops specifically for seniors to help them become more comfortable with smartphones, computers, and other devices.
Take an elderly person you know who may have mobility issues grocery shopping or do some chores for them
Digital detox/ Tech Mindfulness
Use screen time tools available in most smart phones to limit screen time
Set timer to remind you to take technology breaks throughout the day
Choose specific areas in your home, like the dining room or bedroom, as tech-free zones to encourage face-to-face interactions.
Don’t eat in front of a screen
Call instead of text or connect face to face!
Mindful Self-Care Day
Take a few minutes to practice deep breathing exercises. Inhale slowly, hold your breath briefly, and then exhale slowly. Repeat as needed.
Hydrate! Whether its having a big jug of water at your desk or settling little reminders for yourself, find a way to help yourself drink more water.
Do something that you enjoy and relaxes you – maybe it’s hitting the gym, or maybe it’s a long hot bath, do something for you today.
Repeat positive affirmations to yourself. Affirmations can help shift your mindset in a positive direction
Gratitude Day
Start a gratitude journal. Keep a small notebook by your bedside and jot down three things you’re grateful for each night before bedtime. Even if you don’t journal consistently it can help.
If you notice you’re feeling happy, stop what you’re doing and pay attention for a few minutes. Notice exactly how you feel, including the sensations in your body and the thoughts you’re having. Later, when you’re trying to inspire gratitude, you can remember this moment and experience the benefits all over again.
Remember to thank God every night for at least one thing before you go to bed
Create a small gratitude wall in your home where you can pin notes or pictures representing things you’re thankful for.
Let the people in your life you appreciate it know, whether in the form of a not, a in-person message, or a text
Bonus – RAK Day
Can be as easy as smiling at a stranger or something big!
Compliment someone – it can completely turn someone’s day around
Start a Pay it Forward chain in the drive-through
Make sure to say thank you and leave a tip when you get your coffee
Return the shopping cars – yours and one of the loose ones in the parking lot
Donate Plasma/Blood at a local center
Share inspirational or uplifting content on your social media platforms.