The Power of Giving Begins with You

As a kid, giving back was an intrinsic part of our day-to-day: we helped neighbors, volunteered at school, worked at the church, donated our time to senior citizen centers, and routinely walked our clothes to the Good Will or Salvation Army. Growing up we didn’t think much of it — it was like going to the grocery store on a Saturday afternoon with Mom. But now that I’ve gotten older, I see that people who give-back as adults - gave back as kids — at least more readily. Which oddly enough is like everything else. People who exercised as kids - find working out easier; adults who spent quiet time readily throughout their lives find meditating easy, etc. The reason why we give back? Quite simply? It makes us feel good to help others. Humans were born to serve and make conditions better, not just for ourselves but for others. So you may say, “OK, I want to serve, but where do I begin?” Answer — VolunteerMatch.org. This is one of the best overall sites I’ve ever visited. Their goal of matching potential volunteer, to volunteering gig of choice has been achieved. Put in your zip code or area of interest, and they will connect you with a organization that needs your time and help.

If you want to check the seriousness, viability or background of an organization that you’re interested in or thinking about volunteering with, visit Charity Navigator, “Your Guide to Intelligent Giving…” (I love that tag line.) Between those two sites, you can definitely come away with places that can use your help and that you can qualify.

Personally, I find giving today so easy when it’s in conjunction with things you care about. I give my time and love to 2 organizations that aid children in very specific ways. I volunteer at Concrete Safaris and Bent on Learning. Concrete Safaris brings the joy of the great outdoors to inner city children in New York City while showcasing green activities to keep the kids engaged with nature and their part in the environmental cycle. I’m please to say at this writing that Concrete Safaris has gotten the green light to develop the first composting station in a New York City Housing project. Can you imagine? Bent on Learning, brings the benefits and discipline of yoga to New York City public school children. Simply - I go to a school that can barely keep PE alive, and get to teach them yoga. It’s a joy. So you know your passion, or find your passion — and start giving to the greater good. They need you.