In the small town where I grew up, the local businessowners were also the community activists. If something needed to be set right, funds raised, or a park furnished, they were the corps that got things rolling.\u00a0Entrepreneurial volunteers are still shaking things up. Here are some ways to get involved.<\/p>\n
\u00b0 Need inspiration?<\/em> Visit CNN<\/a> online and check out their Heroes videos. Great stories of ordinary people making an extraordinary impact.<\/p>\n \u00b0 Want to help out the country?<\/em> In the US, go to <\/a>www.serve.gov<\/a> and get the lowdown on programs that include AmeriCorps, Citizen Corps and Senior Corps. If you want to create your own program, there\u2019s information on how to do that as well.<\/p>\n \u00b0 Know a teen who wants\u00a0to make a difference?<\/em> Tell them about this online resource: Do Something<\/a>.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n \u00b0 Want to spruce up a national or local treasure?<\/em>\u00a0The American Hiking Society<\/a> sponsors volunteers working in parks in 30 states and the Virgin Islands. Many state park associations also help you connect with projects.<\/p>\n \u00b0 Not sure how to find the right opportunity?<\/em> If you live in an urban area,check out the clearinghouse VolunteerMatch<\/a>. You can search by location or area of interest.<\/p>\n \u00b0 Find yourself with unexpected spare time?<\/em> All kinds of projects can use an extra hand, even if it\u2019s only for a day or so. Pick up a hammer and help a Habitat<\/a> build, stock shelves at your food pantry, etc.<\/p>\n \u00b0 Want to spread some entrepreneurial spirit?<\/em> Although Junior Achievement<\/a>\u00a0 isn\u2019t the hands-on business organization it once was, it could be a way for you to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs. Go to JA.org<\/a> to see what\u2019s happening in your part of the world.<\/p>\n \u00b0\u00b0\u00b0\u00b0\u00b0\u00b0\u00b0\u00b0\u00b0\u00b0\u00b0\u00b0\u00b0\u00b0<\/p>\n Business author Stephanie Chandler celebrated the Fourth of July with this fine article on\u00a010 Reasons to Love Being an Entrepreneu<\/span>r<\/span>.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" In the small town where I grew up, the local businessowners were also the community activists. If something needed to be set right, funds raised, or a park furnished, they were the corps that got things rolling.\u00a0Entrepreneurial volunteers are still shaking things up. Here are some ways to get involved. \u00b0 Need inspiration? Visit CNN…<\/p>\n