We are given the tools to make change in our communities. I’ve witnessed so many people say that their vote doesn’t matter or that they believe they can’t make a difference, and I just want to say that it is not true. There are plenty of ways we can make an impact. Here’s some ideas on how to get involved.
Vote: This one probably seems obvious with the presidential election having been in our minds for over a year now, but voting for local representatives and amendments are equally as important. Take the time to do research on what will impact your area and what issues representatives want to focus on.
Email your city commissioners: Did you know that the emails of your representatives are public information in Florida? In Gainesville you can view the emails online. So email your commissioners with issues you see within the city – they can try and help! By viewing the emails, I’ve seen that commissioners do reply and do their best to handle issues.
Volunteer: There are so many opportunities to volunteer within Gainesville. You can get involved individually or through one of the organizations on campus that are centered around community service. One person can truly make a positive impact – you can change the world by just changing one person’s world.
Shop locally: There are so many small businesses, restaurants and shops in Alachua County. Don’t be afraid to step outside of Gainesville and see what’s out there. It does so much good to help small business thrive – make it a goal to shop some within the community!
I hope that everyone knows that they are capable of changing where you live. It is so important to be aware of what we can do to better this world — make that your goal!
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