Virtual Volunteering with Citizens
Giving back is at the core of what we do and embedded deep in Citizens’ culture. As distinguished former Citizens colleagues, we invite you to engage in any of these virtual/at-home volunteer activities to continue to make a difference in your community. Volunteerism benefits more than those on the receiving end, providing valuable peer to peer connection and a deep sense of purpose. We appreciate your support and continued commitment to living Citizens’ Credo, which calls us to do more to help our customers, colleagues, and communities thrive.
If you’d like to share photos of you participating in one of these activities, please email them, along with a statement giving us permission to use them, to Community@citizensbank.com.
CLEAN SWELL
Clean Swell is the official app of Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup (ICC), a global movement to keep our environment trash free. Data recorded in the Clean Swell app instantaneously uploads to Ocean Conservancy’s global ocean trash database to provide researchers insight to inform solutions for a cleaner ecosystem. Since its inception in 1986, ICC has mobilized 13M volunteers to clean more than 250M pounds of trash worldwide
THE TASK
- Download the Clean Swell app and create an account or sign in.
- Head to a clean-up location of your choice (beach, park, neighborhood).
- Launch the app, click “Start Collecting,” and fill out the clean-up details.
- Pick up trash and log each item using the app; see our visual app instructions below.
- Once you’re done, take a selfie with your collection or interesting finds and review your data for accuracy before clicking “Submit My Data.”
WHAT’S NEEDED
- iPhone or Android to download/use the Clean Swell app following the instructions below
- Gloves & bag(s) to collect trash
PRO TIPS
- This activity can be done as an individual or with your friends/family.
- If it’s not easy to log trash as you go, record it in the app afterwards when you sort for recycling.
- You can earn badges based on the type and quantity of trash and clean-ups you do!
LOVE FOR OUR ELDERS
Love for Our Elders posts about elders who want mail from you on the 1st of every month! So take a few minutes, sit down, and write a letter. Tell them about yourself, maybe share a joke or a riddle and let them know that they are loved. Since its founding in 2013, Love for Our Elders has collected and distributed thousands of letters from 66 countries!
THE TASK
- Visit Letter Requests — Love For Our Elders to learn about and select an elder to write to.
- Write a letter that will help brighten their day, touching on the subjects in their profile. You can tell them about yourself, share a joke/riddle/puzzle, offer inspiration, etc.
- Decorate your letter or card to give it a personable touch.
- Once completed, mail letters to the address provided for your specific elder.
- New letter requests/elder profiles are posted on the 1st of each month.
WHAT’S NEEDED
- Your choice of paper
- Pens, crayons, writing/coloring materials
- Envelope to mail completed letters
PRO TIPS
- Letters must be legible (large print) and handwritten is preferred.
- No glitter or religion and exclude the date. See FAQs for more tips.
- Embrace creativity! Recipients love it when the letters are personal, thoughtful and heartfelt.
A MILLION THANKS
A Million Thanks provides support and appreciation to our active and veteran military men and women through sending letters and granting betterment of life wishes, as well as providing higher education scholarships to their children. A Million Thanks has distributed 10M+ letters to U.S. troops stationed around the world.
THE TASK
- Write encouraging and uplifting letters that help our military, past and present, feel appreciated for their act of service.
- Be creative! Talk about yourself and/or draw a picture too. Tell them their service does not go unnoticed.
- Once completed, drop letters off at a local drop off location or mail to: A Million Thanks 17853 Santiago Blvd, #107-355, Villa Park, CA 92861.
WHAT’S NEEDED
- Your choice of paper
- Pens, crayons, writing/coloring materials
- Envelope to mail completed cards
PRO TIPS
- Avoid using glitter, confetti, or anything that is not securely attached to the letter.
- Letters must be sent together in a batch vs. individually.
- Include your address or email address on each letter you write. Some military may write back to you!
SCHOOL ON WHEELS
School on Wheels supports the academic, social, and emotional growth of students impacted by homelessness necessary to achieve a bright and productive future that will help end the cycle of homelessness. School on Wheels also provides personal tutors customized backpacks filled with grade-level books and educational supplies – and origami bookmarks!
THE TASK
- Create origami bookmarks.
- Follow step-by-step instructions (including visuals and video) found here.
- Send or drop off to: School on Wheels of Massachusetts, 100 Laurel Street, Suite 121, E. Bridgewater, MA 02333.
WHAT’S NEEDED
- Square paper, or scissors to create a square sheet
- Markers
- Envelope and postage
PRO TIPS
- Make sure folds are crisp!
- Decorate your completed bookmark(s) into a character of your choosing, ideas provided in the instructions for cats, bats, frogs, hearts and more – or create your own!
SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION - SOLVE A MYSTERY
The Smithsonian Institution is the world’s largest museum, education, and research complex, with 21 museums and the National Zoo—shaping the future by preserving heritage, discovering new knowledge, and sharing our resources with the world.
THE TASK
- The Smithsonian’s Archives of American Gardens has images of numerous gardens across the United States that need a bit of sleuthing to be positively identified. Some images belonged to slide lectures that were dismantled over time or simply never were labelled. Regardless of how it happened, they are a mystery.
- If any of the gardens look familiar to you, let them know by contacting the Smithsonian’s Archives of American Gardens at aag@si.edu.
WHAT’S NEEDED
- Access to an electronic device
