For many, this is the time of year when our thoughts turn to self improvement, when we challenge ourselves to lose some weight, cut back on television, or stop procrastinating. Whatever the change, it’s usually all about ourselves.

Putting it in the positive, it might mean actually going to the gym (gasp!) instead of just being a member; perhaps reading instead of watching mindless TV shows; or getting ahead of tasks before they get ahead of us.

Whatever those nagging to “dos” we have floating in our heads, when we make resolutions to improve ourselves, and put them into actions, we feel better and we make our lives that much better for having done them.

So how would it be if we all made a simple resolution to make others’ lives better too? What if we all resol-ved to make our community a better place by doing at least one small task?

Here are some ideas:

• Drop off an item of healthy, nonperishable, kid-friendly food at the Helpline House collection bins at Safeway and Town & Country markets each week.

• Check the box “Warm Home Fund” on my Puget Sound Energy bill for a donation that will benefit Bainbridge Island families.

• Become involved in Project Happy Birthday for our island children.

(Provide a cake or mix, candles, gift wrap, party favors and one or two gifts from a wish list for children up to 10 years of age, based on parents’ application through Helpline House. For more information, call the Volunteer Office at Helpline at 842-7621.)

The opportunities are legion – just choose one of these or add ideas of your own. If we each did at least one resolution, just think about the impact. How much better would our Bainbridge Island community be? The possibilities are endless.

Beginning next month, Robin Denis, a weekly food bank volunteer and active member of the Helpline House Board of Directors, will take the opportunity, and keyboard in hand, to continue the Helplines column.

A warm welcome, Robin, as you share the news of the truly wonderful efforts made each day by staff, volunteers and donors to Helpline House.

Neighbors whose needs bring them up the path to Helpline House, often come tentatively, hesitantly, and reluctantly, but they find themselves going down the path with sighs of relief, and very often with smiles. It isn’t only what resources they may receive, or the welcoming attitudes inside, it is also the warm blanket of community, the feeling that there are those who care, that surrounds them as they leave.

It’s the Bainbridge community, neighbor helping neighbor, one neighbor at a time.

Garnet Logan is a member of the Helpline House Board of Directors.