Idea #5: Volunteer

Volunteering kills two birds with one stone. 1) It's a good way to spend your abundant amounts of time. 2) It gets you out into the community, and is a chance to meet people.

I have looked into some organizations to volunteer at, but haven't decided when and where to begin. So my first good deed was to do something I've been doing for ten years. Donate blood.

Fun facts about donating blood (courtesy of the American Red Cross website)

1.	Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood
2.	More than 38,000 blood donations are needed every day
3.	One out of every 10 people admitted in a hospital needs blood
4.	Total blood transfusions in a given year: 14 million (2001)
5.	The average red blood cell transfusion is approximately 3 pints

In my area, I was told that there isn't a shortage but that summer is a time of fewer donations. I know across the country, there is a problem with not having enough units in blood banks. The whole process usually takes less than an hour, and you usually get cookies at the end (Famous Amos chocolate chip). All in all, a good deal for the unemployed and employed.

Now I just to find a long-term volunteer job...

Song of the Day: "Will You Be There" by Michael Jackson