Sparkles and Shoes

A Fashion, Travel, and Lifestyle Blog

  • Home
  • About
    • Contact
  • My Style
    • Spring Style
    • Summer Style
    • Fall Style
    • Winter Style
  • Fashion
    • Really Love My …
    • Shop My Instagram
    • Style Icons
    • Trending
  • Travel
    • Africa
      • Egypt
      • Kenya
      • Morocco
      • Southern Africa
      • Tanzania
    • Asia
      • Indonesia
      • Qatar
      • Singapore
    • Europe
      • Austria
      • Belgium
      • Cyprus
      • Czech Republic
      • Denmark
      • England
      • Finland
      • France
      • Germany
      • Greece
      • Hungary
      • Iceland
      • Ireland
      • Italy
      • Netherlands
      • Norway
      • Portugal
      • Romania
      • Russia
      • Scotland
      • Spain
      • Sweden
      • Vatican City
    • North America
      • Canada
      • Central America
      • St Lucia
      • US: East Coast
      • US: West Coast
    • South America
  • Favorites
    • Beauty
    • Delicious Eats
    • London
    • Sparkle Sessions
  • wedding
    • Engagement Story
    • Planning My Day
    • Wedding Inspo

Giving Back at Carl Schurz Park

07/20/16 | Giving Back, New York City

It hit me the other day and since the start of this month I have now begun my third year of living on the Upper East Side. When I first moved to New York City after college my apartment was in the East Village and then, you may recall, I thought I was cool enough to move to Brooklyn for a year. Nope.  Now I call the Upper East home and I could not be happier with my little spot of Manhattan.  In New York City the sense of a “community” or a real kinship with your neighbors is something I have struggled to find in my four plus years of living in the Big Apple but this Spring I found a way to get more involved.  

While doing an outdoor bootcamp at Carl Schurz Park only a few blocks from my studio I discovered the oldest community-based volunteer park group in the City of New York and am now a neighborhood volunteer. Now, it is true there are few charities and organizations I give to regularly donate to but giving back does not have to cost money, you can donate your time which can be equally as valuable. For me volunteering in a park is a great way to get outside and soak up fresh air and Vitamin D as well as serving as a great way to meet new people and combat the hashtag #nonewfriends.  Take a look at the gorgeous Carl Schurz Park on the Upper East Side and one of the ways I get involved in my community, a statement funny to say in a city with a population is more than 8.5 million people! 

Stone Entrance to Carl Schurz ParkBlue Hydrangeas in Carl Schurz ParkCarl Schurz Park Volunteer Day SignBridge in Carl Schurz ParkPink Dasies in Carl Schurz ParkGracie Mansion in Carl Schurz ParkGracie Mansion Plaque in Carl Schurz ParkBee on Flower in Carl Schurz ParkCarl Schurz Park Neighborhood Volunteer GardenPale Pink Flowers in Carl Schurz ParkPath in Carl Schurz ParkPurple Hydrangeas in Carl Schurz ParkCommunity Volunteer Sign in Carl Schurz ParkThe Peter Pan Monument in Carl Schurz ParkPeter Pan Monument in Carl Schurz Park

Isn’t Carl Schurz Park pretty?  While not as famous as Central Park this is the closest public park to my apartment and also where the Mayor of New York lives, in Gracie Mansion, shown above! Volunteering at a community garden is one way you can give back without breaking the bank but there are a ton of other ways.  Here are some of my favorites: 

  • Serve meals at a soup kitchen or homeless shelter
  • Donate books, movies, or CDs
  • Clean out your closet and donate your clothes 
  • Volunteer to mentor at a nonprofit in your career

These are just a few ideas of ways to give back that will not cost you money but if monetary donations are what speaks to you, I have some good news! This summer Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company is going to donate a total of $2 million to support three important causes – health, home and hunger through their corporate giving campaign called Band Together. The nonprofits that will receive these funds are: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Habitat for Humanity, and Feeding America.  

All three of these charities will receive a sizable donation – $1 million for the winner,  $700,000 for the runner-up, and $300,000 will go to the third-place charity but how they are paired up depends on you! The winners will be determined by users voting so head to the Jewelers Mutual “Band Together” website and casting  their vote!  You can vote daily through July 31st and not only is this for a great cause but every week there is also a jewelry giveaway as a thank you for voting! 

Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company - Band Together - Arms Lifted Group

What is your favorite way to give back?

 

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Signature

Subscribe

« Master Bedroom Inspiration
Lunch at London Hotspot Bao »

Related Posts

  • The Perfect Summer Cardigan
  • New York City Rooftop Bars - Cloud Social Rooftop in MidtownNew York City Rooftop Bars
  • One Day in New York City - Empire State Building Sunset from Top of the RockCrowd Poll: New York Top Three
  • The Fabergé Big Egg Hunt

Comments

  1. Hayley says

    July 21, 2016 at 4:43 am

    Such pretty photos. Well done on the volunteering too!

    xHayley

    http://mydebeauvoirdiaries.com/my-designer-shoe-collection-chanel-balenciaga-miu-miu-more/

  2. Laura Mitbrodt says

    July 21, 2016 at 1:19 am

    These photos are so pretty, I love the flowers
    xo
    http://www.laurajaneatelier.com

  3. Amanda says

    July 20, 2016 at 9:18 pm

    That park really is gorgeous and that is so great that you have such a pretty park near your house!

  4. Leeann @ Join the Gossip says

    July 20, 2016 at 6:46 pm

    That park is darling! And the Governor’s place? Um, can I move in?

    Really cool that you are volunteering!

  5. Lucy says

    July 20, 2016 at 3:22 pm

    I voted and I love that shot of the flower and the bee!

  6. Pamela says

    July 20, 2016 at 10:21 am

    Great idea. I like volunteering when I can see the results of my efforts.

  7. Pamela says

    July 20, 2016 at 10:20 am

    What a beautiful spot. I enjoying seeing the efforts of my volunteering directly.

Hi, I am Kelly and welcome to Sparkles and Shoes, a fashion, travel, and lifestyle blog.  I am a New York City girl at heart but I moved to London in the Spring of 2018!

  • Bloglovin
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Search

POPULAR POSTS

  • Black Long Sleeve Shirt with Cut Out Shoulders and Houndstooth Trousers Explore
  • Lauren Kay Sims Everywhere Belt Bag The Everywhere Belt Bag
  • Manicure Ideas - Gradient Rainbow Mani 20 Ideas for Summer Nails
  • White Lace for Evening with Kate Spade and David Yurman Summer White Dresses Under $100
  • About

Susbscribe via E-mail

WHERE I SHOP

Amazon (US)

Amazon (UK)

Beauty Pie

Nordstrom 

Sephora

Wayfair



Archives

  • 2022
  • 2021
  • 2020
  • 2019
  • 2018
  • 2017
  • 2016
  • 2015
  • 2014
  • 2013
  • 2012

Fine Print

Sparkles and Shoes is a part of several affiliate advertising programs. This means that if you click and/or make a purchase through certain links on this site or any related social media platforms (including Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest), I may make a commission from that click and/or purchase. All opinions are my own.

© Kelly Donlin and Sparkles and Shoes, 2012-2022 Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Kelly Donlin and Sparkles and Shoes with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Get the latest

Receive Sparkles and Shoes right to your inbox!

Connect with me

  • Bloglovin
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Copyright © 2022 · Designed by High Note Designs, LLC

Copyright © 2022 · Tasteful Theme on Genesis Framework