Get Healthy: Resolve to make Carson City the best it can be

This column appears in the Nevada Appeal Wednesday health pages. It addresses topics related to the health of our community.

Welcome to 2014, Carson City. With a brand-new year right in front of us, many people take this opportunity to make some New Year’s resolutions. Often, these resolutions focus on personal growth — lose weight, quit smoking, eat more healthfully — and, while these goals are important, often they quickly fall by the wayside. This year, how about a different kind of resolution? How about a resolution to help our community be the best it can be?

This year brings a lot of changes for Carson City. We will be getting a new city manager, and there are lots of ideas on the table for changes to take place in our town. This is a good opportunity for citizens to get involved and shape the future of our community. Why not resolve to learn about some of the projects that are being discussed and become an advocate for something? You could even check out the agenda for the Board of Supervisors and attend a meeting. Agendas can be found at carson.org, and meetings are held on the first and third Thursdays of each month.

Strong communities help one another. Another good resolution for this year would be to get more involved in Carson City by volunteering for a cause that is meaningful for you. There are plenty of fantastic charities in our area that could use a helping hand. Love animals? Sign up to socialize homeless pets at the animal shelter. Want to reach out to those less fortunate and break the cycle of poverty? Become an ally for the Circles program. Do you enjoy working with kids? Get trained to be a Court Appointed Special Advocate and be the voice for a child in need. Are you ready to have fun and get fit while being a role model for kids? Work with Safe Routes to Schools to start a walking school bus in your neighborhood. There are plenty of other options; it’s up to you to reach out and find the best place to share your talents. Are you short on time but still want to help out? A financial contribution could be a great way to lend support to one (or more) of the worthwhile causes in our community.

Carson City is a great place because of the people who live and work here — you. This year, in addition to your regular New Year’s resolutions, consider making another one to strengthen and grow our community through advocacy and service. As a result, 2014 can be an even better year for our Capital City if we all resolve to make it that way.