The Art of the Free

    The free box is a very workable concept, as the longevity of the Bolinas Free Box attests, but there are problems to be avoided. Dropping off damaged, soiled, or unusable items is inappropriate. Also, tidiness must be taken into consideration. The best-case scenario is an organized walk-in so that people can see what freebies are available. A free box initially really needs a shed or other weather-proof shelter that people can easily access, and committed volunteers are essential to keep the stock in reasonable order. It works the other way around, too, thanks to places like DonationTown.org, who will come and pick up stuff you are ready to “free up” into the world. After all, donating household items gives a second life to the things you no longer need.

Be a Visionary

    Did you know your old specs can have a second act? Old prescription eyeglasses can be donated to a LensCrafters store. Every LensCrafters business supports OneSight, which provides glasses to millions of people around the globe. Learn more at LensCrafters.com/onesight/

Be a Good Citizen

    Rich Chin's family in New York City, pretty far away from any large expanse of wilderness, but that didn't get in his way. Rich shares his experiences that first made him see how he could be a good in the world:

    The Outward Bound Youth at Risk Program really helped many troubled teens get back  on the "good citizens" road. I was one of those Outward Bound instructors that volunteered to teach in this life-changing experiment for inner city kids in the late seventies and eighties. It changed my life as much as it did those kids. I saw firsthand that if so-called "bad kids" were given a chance to learn how to respect others as well as themselves, they could contribute very positively and be a part of our bright future.

    Kurt Hahn founded Outward Bound (OutwardBound.org) on this assumption: "In genuine service to the benefit of others, one best expresses on a day-to-day basis his reverence for life itself."

Conscious Kindness

     When I lived in the Panhandle District, I would occasionally wonder to myself from whence the name came from. It is actually a skinny strip of land at the end of San Francisco's spectacular Golden Gate Park, like a handle on a skillet or big pan. But with so many down and out, there is a good bit of panhandling. In fact, it sometimes seems overwhelming, especially when, on any given day, I might be asked for money over a dozen times. I noticed that after 9/11, it became especially grim, as there was a scary economic downturn that accompanied all the other chaos.  So I developed a system of my own: I always keep change in the little pocket of my driver's side door handle. And I prioritize giving it to moms with kids, children, and amputees- anyone who really seems in need of help right now. When I've been driving an author around on tour or out-of-town visitors, they have been startled when I mutter, "Oh, an amputee; let me see what I have on me." I explain my seeming rudeness by explaining that this is my personalized system for giving to panhandlers, and that I was almost an amputee. A few years back, I was hit and run by a drunk driver, which terribly injured my leg. My doctor suggested amputating- but I managed to talk him out of that idea. I had to learn to walk again. It took a long time and caused a lot of pain. So I always think, "That could have been me!" and I want to help. Many a vet who served their country come back without a limb. This really is the least I can do and wanting to do more is one of the reasons behind this book.