Spreading the good. (Courtesy Good Deeds Day)
Today marks the exhilarating celebration of Good Deeds Day – a worldwide event in which on one single day, hundreds of thousands of people perform good deeds. Considered one of the largest global days of volunteering, Good Deeds Day unites people from all walks of life with the simple idea that every single person can do something good, be it large or small, to positively impact the world. This year Good Deeds Day is represented in almost every continent on the globe, with folks coming together and organizing good doing projects that spread joy and give back.
1. AFRICA: BRINGING HEALTH TO UGANDA
Where: Mubende
The Good Stuff: Health is the focus in Uganda this year with a group of 70 volunteers cleaning the local community health center, visiting patients and informing them of good health and hygiene practices. Hoping to reach more than 180 kids and young adults, the group will also teach about safe sex and distribute condoms.
Volunteers in Uganda. (Courtesy Good Deeds Day)
2. ASIA : KNITTING FOR GOOD IN CHINA
Where: Shanghai
The Good Stuff: Everyone is invited to use their creative skills to knit squares for blankets that will be donated to orphaned children affected by AIDS. There will even be a knitting teacher on-hand to assist and guarantee that each stitch is done right, ensuring that each blanket donated will keep the kids warm.
Knit-a-square Project. (Courtesy Timeout Shanghai)
3. AUSTRALIA: FEEDING THE HUNGRY IN NEW ZEALAND
Where: Wellington
The Good Stuff: The Wellington Soup Kitchen will be the recipient of hands-on volunteers from Jewish and Christian community groups who will meet up to prepare and serve a proper meal to those in need.
Serving food in Australia. (Courtesy Good Deeds Day)
4. EUROPE: SPREADING THE GOOD IN ITALY
Where: Caltanissetta, Cuneo, Milan and Padova
The Good Stuff: Good will be felt in Italy with various Good Deeds Day projects throughout the country including: the renovation of a small museum, entertaining and keeping kids company at local hospitals and the cleaning and beautification of a public garden.
Ground beautification GDD-style. (Courtesy Good Deeds Day)
5. NORTH AMERICA: HELPING MORE THAN 10 NONPROFITS IN CALIFORNIA
Where: San Diego, California
The Good Stuff: Over 300 youths will join together to feed the homeless, play bingo with seniors, sort and collect shoes for donation and make toiletry packages that will be given to a homeless shelter. The good doing youngsters will aid more than ten non-profit organizations in the San Diego area!
The shoe drive in San Diego, California. (Courtesy Good Deeds Day)
6. LATIN AMERICA : FLASHMOBS FOR GOOD DEEDS IN COSTA RICA
Where: Country-wide
The Good Stuff: Over 40 businesses and organizations will come together to celebrate Good Deeds Day, marking the first time that Costa Rica will be taking part in the international event. On March 6, a group of spirited young people performed a flashmob in a main plaza in the country’s capital San Jose to raise awareness of the event and spread good cheer – make sure to see the uplifting video!
Spreading joy on the streets of Costa Rica. (Courtesy Good Deeds Day)
7. SOUTH AMERICA: COLLECTING DONATIONS TO CHANGE LIVES IN ARGENTINA
Where: Buenos Aires
The Good Stuff: Around 200 participants will come together to donate toys, books and sleeping bags for the homeless. With an emphasis on giving, volunteers will also deliver food to people living on the streets in addition to encouraging blood donations and supporting local NGOs.
Doing good in Argentina. (Courtesy Good Deeds Day)
