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How-to Guides

Start a Walking Group

How to: Start a Walking Group

A brisk, half-hour walk five or more days a week can reduce the risk of all kinds of ailments.

Rx Snapshot

How to: Rx Snapshot

Help older friends and neighbors manage their medication, communicate more effectively with their health care providers, and potentially save money.

How to: Help Someone Get the Food They Need - It’s a SNAP!

In this economy, chances are you know someone who needs help paying for food. We all have ups and downs in life. The good news: There’s aid money out there for folks who need it, and you can help them get that money!

How to: How to Spot a “Free Lunch” Scam

A free lunch or dinner invitation can be a hard thing to pass up! As investors — you, your friends or family members might have gotten invited to free meals that include presentations on investment strategies. But be careful. They could be trying to defraud you of your hard-earned money! If you go, use this kit to spot scams and protect your friends and yourself from possible fraudsters.

How to: Help Others Outsmart Investment Fraud

Help Others Outsmart Investment Fraud In the mail, over the phone, or on the internet; it seems investment fraudsters are everywhere these days. But you can protect a family member, a friend — or even yourself — by planning an investor protection workshop or documentary viewing party using materials from the FINRA Investor Education Foundation.

How to: The Nuts & Bolts for Project Organizers

Too often, community projects lose steam or fall short of their goals due to a lack of organization. This toolkit will help you in the successful planning and delivery of your community project, no matter what the focus.

How to: How to Hold a Used Book Sale

Arranging a community used book sale is a great opportunity to help others in your community. Donated books will be sold and the proceeds will help provide funding for local community programs. It is also a wonderful opportunity to help others in need through the world of literature, while meeting folks in your community and having fun.

How to: Help a Child Learn Financial Literacy

The most important life lessons start early. Handling finances is no exception. You can help today’s youth learn sound money management skills by sharing a financial literacy program with children in 3rd through 12th grades.

How to: Doughnut Hole Tool Kit

Doughnut Hole Tool Kit is designed so that you can help a friend or family member find out whether they are at risk of falling into the coverage gap where people with Medicare Part D have to pay all of the costs of their prescription drugs. Your involvement will make a difference to people you care about.

Help Military Families

How to: Help Military Families

Do what you can to help a military family who may be new to your community.

Help Feed a Family in...

How to: Help Feed a Family in Need

Help stop hunger in the U.S. one family at a time. Send a week's worth of groceries to a family in need.

Start a Women’s Giving Circle

How to: Start a Women’s Giving Circle

Help other women by starting a charitable giving circle

Operation Fight Fraud

How to: Operation Fight Fraud

Educate yourself and others on the risk of consumer fraud and learn ways to minimize the incidence of fraud.

Organize a Shredding Event

How to: Organize a Shredding Event

Create The Good has a new way for your group to help family, friends and neighbors reduce the risk of having personal fraud and identity theft committed against them. Below are some basic activities your group can do to help others avoid these damaging crimes.

Operation Energy Save

How to: Operation Energy Save

Help friends, family, and neighbors conserve energy by sharing a checklist of tips.

Help Someone Access Public Benefit...

How to: Help Someone Access Public Benefit Programs

Check out this free, confidential online tool to help someone who is struggling to make ends meet.

Start – or join –...

How to: Start – or join – a community garden!

Growing your own fruits and veggies is a great way to use your talents while helping your community.

Easy Ways to Help Others...

How to: Easy Ways to Help Others Go Green

It's easy to go green -- and help others do the same -- at home, at work and in your community.

Take Your Loved One to...

How to: Take Your Loved One to the Doctor

Encouraging friends and family to make an appointment for a checkup or screening is a great way to help someone you care about.

DIY - Sidewalks and Streets...

How to: DIY - Sidewalks and Streets Survey

Help make your community better for walkers. Organize a group to survey your neighborhood.

How to: How to Hold a School Supply Drive

A school supply drive is an easy way to have a profound impact on students and their learning experience. Make school a better place for both students and teachers by the simple act of providing school supplies.

How to: Home Safety Tips & Tools

Home Safety Tips & Tools is designed so that individuals, organizations and community groups can help make the homes of older family members, friends and neighbors safer and more comfortable. Your involvement will make a difference to people you care about.

How to: Operation Hurricane Prepare

Operation Hurricane Prepare is designed so that individuals, organizations and community groups can be prepared for an emergency or natural disaster. Your involvement will help people you care about. This kit is for organizers but could easily be adapted to help individuals prepare for an emergency.

How to: Operation Emergency Prepare

Operation Emergency Prepare is designed so that individuals, organizations and community groups can be prepared for an emergency or natural disaster. Your involvement will help people you care about. This kit is for organizers but could easily be adapted to help individuals prepare for an emergency.

Clean Your River

How to: Organizing a River Cleanup

Connect with nature and help your community by organizing a local river or stream cleanup.

AARP Foundation

There are numerous charitable giving opportunities to help people in your community through the AARP Foundation.

About the Foundation >