One of the best things you can do to help someone in need in your community is to donate a new winter coat. The retail chain Burlington Coat Factory makes it easy to make a difference: Donate a new or gently worn coat to the store in the fall and they’ll work with local nonprofit organizations to make sure those who need it get it. For your good deed, you’ll get 10 percent off your next purchase in the store. To learn more about this program, visit Burlington.com.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

We’ve often heard about ditching body wash in plastic bottles for more eco-friendly (and often gentler) bar soaps that can do the job without the waste. But have you thought about ridding your shower of plastic shampoo bottles in favor of shampoo bar soap? Liquid shampoos are up to 95 percent water, which means one bottle doesn’t go a long way in keeping your scalp clean. Shampoo bars are super-concentrated and will outlast liquid shampoo 3-to-1. You save money and do your part to reduce the demand for plastic packaging. And one more nice benefit? It’s TSA-friendly to bring a shampoo bar onto a plane.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

If you have backyard soccer or volleyball nets set up for a little recreational activity, always be sure to take them down after the last match. It’s very easy for wild animals -- birds, deer, possums, snakes, etc. -- to get tangled up in the nets. In their struggle to get out, the situation often gets worse, sometimes resulting in the death of the animal. The best approach is prevention: Bring out the nets and have a good time playing games, but always put them away when you’re done.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION