Motivate Others to Give Back

I visited a charter school to talk about the potential for making them a client. I work with groups to do fundraising and to build their public presence. For the first time in a long time – I was motivated not only to learn more about the organization, but to also figure out my volunteer opportunities for the year. I know one of the most powerful ways to teach others to give back, is to simply model the behavior. I sent out feelers to a few different groups to find the perfect match. In the coming months I’ll volunteer at a few different groups, and when all is said and done I’ll find a group to work with for the next year. Relocation is such a time of transition – but you also get to learn about new groups and organizations. There are people doing good work every where you look – and I’m so thankful for it.

The power of one shows that anyone can make a difference. Today I learned about a woman, Pam Cope, who by most measures described herself as shallow. I doubt that description was necessary. She lost her son due to a heart condition and it could have been the unraveling of it all. I have read about marriages, families, people who couldn’t survive the death of a child. I can’t imagine it. I don’t want to imagine it. What I learned from her story was nothing short of powerful. Miraculous. Motivating.

She and her husband decided the loss would not be in vain. So, just like your average American – she researched a picture and article about child slavery, started a process to help , and saved 7 children from a life of slavery. All in a days work, right? She is the American hope when our society magnifies a love triangle in space. She took action and the lives of countless children will never be the same.

For more on her story, the charity or how to support those efforts, visit my website http://allydsworkinprogress.blogspot.com …..
I’d love to hear stories about the power of 2, 3, 4…Imagine what we could all do.

This Sunday the SuperBowl will be the final climax of a tremendous year. The Indianapolis Colts and the Chicago Bears will compete for the greatest football title, and we’ll make history, hear Prince and have a boatload of snacks to enjoy. Many others won’t be that lucky.

Every year in association with the SuperBowl, various charity activities are put into place. There is a heavy focus on feeding the homeless – and getting them off of the streets for the major event. Tickets will be auctioned for a few lucky organizations, and the proceeds will be a once in a lifetime opportunity for a few groups.

Even with all of these things – the engagement of the greater community is often lacking. At every grocery store, retail outlet, sporting goods store, etc. – we see a push for the 1 day party. There are challenges for any local church trying to host a party – on the basis of copyright infringement, name use, etc. I say give me a break. With all the hoopla (and I can’t wait – I’m so excited), I just think that we can do more. We can do more to raise awareness, get more individuals involved in long-term solutions, better partner partying with purpose. I aspire to be more thoughtful about my own choices this Sunday – so that I can give back in a way that matters.

Think about the advertising, the dollars that will be spent, the amount of money that will be spent on logo gear – official and unofficial for sure. A fraction of those dollars can make a tremendous difference in the lives of those less fortunate. The reality is – this is another great opportunity, for each of us to be Super.

The end of the year is right around the corner, the tax monsters are looming – and for anyone who aspires to have just one more right off, now is the time. With the onset of holiday items and new gifts – what a time to find those gently used items, items in working condition, older models, smaller sizes, and take them to the goodwill, salvation army or donation center of your choice. The charities that get much attention during the holiday season, often struggle during the first quarter of the year, and the summer season. Make a pledge to your favorite charity, mail in that check you’ve been thinking about, help out public radio, support your local zoo, help out the kids in the fledgling afterschool program – but take this opportunity, this last week of the year – to do something. A small gesture to you – could be a big gesture for someone else. And if you add up those small gestures, agencies committed to making a difference can surely have a better 2007 with our help and support.

I have been volunteering at my children’s school over the last few weeks. I’m doing a lot less since we just relocated and we don’t have childcare options for our youngest. I have committed to a few things I can do at home and provide to the class, like treats, bulletin board designs, etc. What I realize, however, is the sheer volume of volunteer labor that makes the school run.

Since we pay for a private education, we have made a value choice about the type of school environment we want. I am not convinced that our shared religious beliefs are the only strength of the learning environment. There is something to be said about parents, grand parents, god parents, anyone connected with a child – volunteering their time, talent, resources, etc. for the benefit of all children is an exceptional and powerful tool.

Today I celebrate school volunteers, for all that they are and all that they do – to make school a meaningful and positive experience for educators, administrators and most importantly – for children all over the world.

Today I received a compliment from someone I used to work with. He indicated that my advice to him had been very valuable, and he counted it a privilege to call me and get my counsel. I think I needed to hear it today. When we think about giving back to people, often times we forget about the power of the spoken word.

I think it is pretty awesome to change the course of someones day by telling them that they matter, they are appreciated and they are valued. We should all think this for ourselves, I know – but all the days don’t come out that way. When we think about giving back, some people are stymied because of their budget. If people thought more about the power of their words – that too is giving back.

This is the season where editorial articles speak about the many issues facing the poor in our neighborhoods. There are well written articles, about the homeless, children, battered women and seniors – and often times suggestions for just how we can help. During this the busiest holiday season of the year, people tend to be generous.

We donate toys, books, canned goods, and adopt families, adopt pets, adopt causes….and we are so blessed to live in a world where people make that choice to help. My only concern, well not only – but one concern – its just not the holidays. People are cold, hungry, struggling, at lifes edge, homeless, unable to make ends meet, living below poverty level, marginalized – 365 days a year.

I hope the spirit of the season yields more people to take action during the holidays. It will be even more of an impact, if those same people do something every month, every quarter, or every six months, too. Hunger and hope should not be topics, just for the holidays.

The kids did Christmas boxes to send to less fortunate kids this year. I am feeling a bit like they are the less fortunate – it won’t be our typical Christmas. Everyone is feeling the pinch…..

Yet, in sharing the story with family members we have been talking about what we could do as a family to celebrate the holidays. Beyond dinner, and beyond the exchange of gifts- what could we do. So, we are brainstorming as a family what we could do together to touch the lives of others. Adopting a family can be costly, but a service project requires our investment and time. I have no idea what we will be doing, but I know the idea of collective service has a smile written across my entire face.

After I gave away $12.00 to a company today, because I was paying the day before it was due…I thought, hmmm…

That money could have been -

1. Designated to a charity
2. Put in Salvation Army Kettles
3. Given to my children to place in containers during the holiday
4. Paid to another bill, so my net worth affords more long term philanthropy (I won’t always sweat the small stuff….)
5. Be given to a struggling family, child or mother, with donations from other family members and friends.

We can do a lot with a little – especially if we reclaim it from places it surely should not go anyway.

My children packed shoe boxes today for children they don’t know. Their school shared with them an opportunity to fill a shoe box with items that a child of similar age would enjoy. We have very little “extra” anything this year. My 4 year old went to the dollar store and we talked about what a child needs and enjoys. We packed a box with soap, toothpaste, cool toothbrushes, a wash cloth, a toy motorcycle, a stuffed charlie brown, hard candy, peanut butter crackers, school supplies, and a journal. He was so excited to do something for someone else – but towards the end it got very hard. He wanted to play with the motorcycle and he wasn’t quite sure he wanted to give it away. We picked similar items for my daughter to pack for a school age girl.

Well, tonight they assembled their packages. Both children talked to each other about why it was important to send it to children who have less than they do. Even though we have had really tough times lately – they got excited about helping some other child. A shoe box – that’s all we filled. Sometimes even a little empathy can change your disposition. My desire to motivate people to give back starts with the little people in my home! What an amazing way to say thank you during the season of Thanksgiving. Thank you for all that you have, even when it can seem like it isn’t all you would want.

//www.samaritanspurse.org/OCC.asp?MPGID=1
Three cheers for Operation Christmas Child in a world where we all want more – but some have so little.