I have not done much of community service I am afraid. They seem to involve a lot of socializing, something that I find stressful.
That's OK. I too hate parties, gatherings of large parties of all sizes, and organizations that have (gasp) chairwomen and chairmen on 'councils.' Not to mention that at the moment, about the ONLY socializing I do is on the internet, except for going to church on Sunday and I can't always do that.
There are ways around that. Even severe agoraphobics can so some of these, that I have done and continue to do.
Knit or crochet stuff. chemo hats, lap blankets, toys for children in hospitals that must have things that can be put in sterilizing equipment. One can join guilds, etc., and socialize like crazy. There are a great many such guilds all over and most people love joining and participating. I don't....and it's OK. Most of those guilds take contributions from 'outside.'
Of course, if you are one of those who think that knitting, crocheting and sewing are not macho enough, there is a gentleman who comes around the chemo infusion centers to give every woman undergoing cancer treatment a beautifully carved ostrich egg, some highly decorated a la those Russian bejeweled eggs that are so precious. He does it in memory of his wife, who died of breast cancer awhile ago. He does it in spite of the fact that HE is battling cancer himself.
I have two of them. They are real symbols of hope.
I do not "garden for others," but I know those who do. the population I work with is quite often told NOT to eat raw foods of any sort. I certainly have been told that several times.
However, if you know what the guidelines are for patients who are on 'chemo diets' which are really picky about foods that may carry bacteria that the rest of us would laugh off...and might kill them...if you are a good cook, use those guidelines (they are on the internet...) and make things to tempt picky appetites. Taste buds do mean things to chemo patients, and nausea is pretty much universal.. Restrict your efforts to patients who are relatives or really good friends, though. Most groups will turn you down if you contribute through them, because of the 'I don't know you and I don't have a clue how you made them" factor.
Make comfort blankets and 'hug sweaters' for shelter dogs. Foster rescue animals, if you can. Of course, the problem there is letting the puppy go after taking care of it for weeks...but hey. It's something that doesn't require socializing with people all that often.
Let's see...what else...
I received a very special gift from someone a couple of years ago; a hand carved spindle for spinning wool. Beautifully carved and stained; it's a treasure. If you are good with that sort of thing, there are cancer patients and other people suffering who could really use something like that to help them do what they might not be able to do...that is, sit down at a $1000 spinning wheel, even if they had one. Besides, it's something that is fairly easy to learn and produces wonderful stuff. To knit and crochet with. Or weave with. Or whatever....
Make lap blankets for Wounded Warriors.
Make hats and mitts...and tragically, burial clothing...for premies. You have NO idea how very much such things are appreciated, especially when a little extra effort goes into them to make them special while still appropriate for the tiniest babies in the NICU. You can deliver them straight TO the NICU. Just call them first to make sure you are knitting/crocheting/sewing with the appropriate fiber/fabrics and using the right techniques. Oh...just as a personal bit of advice...don't crochet for premies. The resulting fabric isn't soft enough. But you CAN crochet those great little head bands for babies who are bigger and older.
Blankets for homeless children are always welcome; deliver them yourself to the local shelters.
Keep your eyes open for people who are asking for donations of such things for specific disaster efforts. Send them something.
I think you can see that I'm a bit onesided here; you can tell where my interests lie. (grin)
But that's what I know how to do, and that's what I CAN do.
Oh, that, and I tutor kids who are in trouble; those who have been kicked out of high school, or are in 'juvie hall,' or who are developmentally disabled but are 'mainstream' anyway. You know, the high school freshman who can't say three words unless 'f***" is one of 'em? I'm the teacher on the other side of the computer. Online tutoring. It's more fun than pretty much anything else I do, because those kids, when they interact with me, don't have to impress anybody but themselves. It was great to see that 'f-bomb' thrower go from a third grade reading level to wanting to take calculus and being disappointed because I couldn't tutor him in that.
Now I have the state credentials and training for this...but the only thing that does for me is make it easier to find pupils. Some of the very best such tutors I know have only high school diplomas. What they HAVE is the love for the kids they work with.
OK, I know that you folks have other 'hidden talents' that you can use, personally and without socializing much, to help others. I only mentioned....at great length, it looks like...the few things I can do.
I like this thread and idea. I hope I didn't just bog it down. Any other ideas?
if your interests lie else where...