Summer is Here! Give To The Planet With These Summer Gives

Give to the planet this summer using these giving ideas! Seasonal gives a great way keep your giving motivation going. With summer here, start planning some planet gives that will have you enjoying the weather, time away from school, vacations, and long summer days. With so many of us locked up at home as we waited for COVID to wain, this summer feels extra special. Events are back on, people are outside, and we can see family all summer long!

Get Outside and Enjoy Mother Earth – Give To The Planet

This is one of my favorite gives in the summer. I get out every day to enjoy a new area close to my house, and particularly love finding new parks, paths, and outdoor spaces that are new! Taking a walk, a run, or riding your bike will have you outside and enjoying the gifts that Mother Nature has given us. Appreciate the trees, flowers, sky, bodies of water, whatever is close by. Being busy with work and school has us forgetting what is outside so take some time to enjoy the view!

Volunteer Locally During The Summer

Summer seems to offer a lot of volunteer opportunities in our communities. Community gardens, summer camps, events that support our local charities, art shows and community walks. Put your hand up and volunteer at a local organization that has a focus on summer activities and events. You will meet new people, discover new activities, and be part of your community!

Take Care of Our Oceans, Lakes And Streams

Summer activities highlight water but we need to look after our bodies of water. Find ways to support the health of our water sources. Sign a petition, donate to organizations that protect our waters. Wear Biodegradable sunscreen! Choose activities that use non-motorized vehicles in the water – paddle boarding, kayaking, canoeing. Decrease your use of plastic. These are just a few ways we can give to our bodies of water!

Leave Flowers Alone!

It is very tempting to pick flowers that come out in the spring and summer, but these flowers play a vital roll in the health of our planet, and food sources. Bees and butterflies need flowers to live, certain bird species (hummingbirds) need them as well. Look at flowers in your garden and public gardens, don’t pick them. Plants, insects, birds and animals rely on the flowers so lets leave them in the ground and on our trees.

Support Local Farmer Markets – Give To The Planet

The summer is full of in season fruits and vegetables grown by local farmers. Find the time to source local markets and visit them! Buying locally also cuts down on transportation of our fresh food, which helps the planet! Our local farmers have a small window of opportunity to sell what they grow so be that person or family that supports their crops!

Try New Recipes That Use In-Season Fruits and Vegetables!

Now this always gets me excited! For decades I have been baking, making, canning and preserving fruits and vegetables in season. I always make more than I can use so I can give away my creations to family and friends. What is super fun, is an exchange of preserves, canned goods, and baked items that each of us are very good at doing. And this cycle of giving can last throughout the year! For example, my friends always grow strawberries, cherries and tomatoes. They kindly gift me their excess and I can or preserve what they give me. I in turn give them the finished product, sharing tomato sauce, cherry preserves and strawberry jam. And I give to others as well! If preserving is not your thing, just be create with your daily meals! Use in-season fruits and vegetables to feed yourself and your family!

Summer gives are a great way to get outside and give to others the magical gifts Mother Nature gives us! Planet gives are a great way to give throughout the summer. It will reboot your giving and spread a whole lot of summer happiness!! Looking for more giving ideas? Join our giving ideas email list and get daily giving ideas to keep you giving all year long!