Get involved. In what? That's up to you. But here's something we've learned: helping your community helps you too. Pick out something that interests you, something you're passionate about and find a local organization to match. Community involvement includes mentoring, volunteering and being active on boards of organizations - basically, sharing your time and talents to improve your community.

If one person can make a difference, think of how big a difference an entire family can make. One of the most satisfying, fun, and productive ways to unite your family is volunteering for community service projects. Not only does it help bring families together, volunteerism also sets a good example for your children and is helpful to the community as well.

Most people who shy away from volunteering insist they just don't have the time to give after fulfilling work and family commitments. But it often just involves rethinking the way you spend some of your free time together as a family. Volunteerism is a wonderful way for families to have fun and feel closer to each other to boot. It also doesn't have to require enormous amounts of time. You could choose one or two projects a year and turn it into a family tradition.

If you don't know where to start, inquire about volunteering at a local church, in an after school kids association, in a community garden, at a homeless shelter, at an animal shelter, at the YMCA or in a elderly care facility. When a community is doing well as a whole, the individuals are better off too.