Recently, I wrote about writing to change the world (actually the title of Mary Pipher’s book), about using your writing – even fiction and poetry – to make people think, to share insights, to provide truths the best way we know them.

While I mainly focused on creative writing, I thought I would share a nonfiction book that really can change the world.  How to Be an Everyday Philanthropist by Nicole Bouchard Boles.  The subtitle is 330 Ways to Make a Difference in Your Home, Community and World.

Sounds a bit grandiose, I realize, but what Boles has done is provided busy people with ways to really make a difference.  You can use your computer to help scientists learn more about all type of topics.  Just download some software and pick your projects (I chose one on climate change and one that CERN is working on) and your off.  You can click on links for free and vendors will donate money for each click to help fight hunger, feed homeless veterans, support animal shelters, or provide books for children.  To do so just takes a couple of minutes.  You can give blood, shop online for charities, sign petitions, and oh so much more.

Newsweek noted, “Boles is a genius at unearthing good works that anybody can do yet aren’t empty gestures.” 

There is something for everyone, a simple way to impact the world for the better.

Here are links to

Her book

Her Facebook page

Her website