I am not able to volunteer time or donate money on a structured schedule, but I have come to understand that anything positively that you contribute to a community adds value. The appeal is that it happens to be one of the more anonymous ways you can possibly contribute. I offer online feedback for products, services, customer service, and websites. I make it a point to offer a balanced view, along with the reasons why I would or would not recommend the things I review.
I will pay for the order in a drive through for the car behind me when I can afford it. If someone looks lost, I offer help instead of forcing them to look for soemone to ask. I walk buggies back into the grocery store, hold doors open for people, and help load groceries and other items into cars for people.
During the height of the Christmas season, I noticed a lady whose trunk lid was not closed securely. When we got to the next red light, I motioned for her to crack her window to ask if she wanted me to close it, which she appreciated. Anybody could have stolen the gifts from her trunk.
When I get good service ANYWHERE, I inform the manager and wrote a letter to the corporate office. When someone’s child is well-behaved, I make sure the parent knows how much it is appreciated.
I can’t offer enough money to make much of a difference, and I can’t do certain things in my community that are traditionally thought of when one thinks of volunteer work. But i did manage to carve out a space to inject my own style of giving, which adds to the collective positive. Perhaps that might be something that appeals to you.