The fourth Saturday in October is, Make a Difference Day, an occasion to remind us that we are needed. There is pleasure in making things better for others, the environment, or community, and many will say they always receive back more than they give—even those who thought they were too busy find they get more done even with adding volunteering! People report a “helper’s high” from the endorphins released when we are giving. We all have a desire to be a part of community, and enjoy a challenge. Whether it is joining an established charity or cause, or rising up to address a need by organizing an activity yourself, it just takes a decision to give and find how you want to serve. It can be short term or ongoing, and you will be appreciated!
Find your Passion Start with thinking about what you have an interest in doing. Sometimes a difficult life experience can motivate you to help prevent others from suffering the same. Dolly Parton grew up in extreme poverty, where money went for food and clothing and they couldn’t buy books. She has created a book club program that a child can have a high-quality educational book mailed to them each month until they are 5 years old. It has grown to be international.
Rodney Smith, known as The LawnMower Man noticed there were people who were no longer able to take care of their yard and started to mow for them for free. He found there were more aged, disabled, single parents and veterans that he wanted to help. He also was aware of how idle teens get into trouble, so he developed a program, “Raising Men and Women Lawn Care Service” issuing a challenge for teens to volunteer to mow 50 yards. He now travels around the country to rally people to start up the program with great built in incentives and recognition in their area, and it has gone international.
Who do you want to help? Is there a population that has a tender spot in your heart such as the elderly, the hungry, those in transitional shelters (unwed mothers, domestic abuse or sex trafficked victims), homeless, the fatherless or foster children, the disabled, veterans, refugees, those in prison, in hospice? Maybe you want to fund raise to pay for school lunches for those who cannot afford it, or sponsor costs for programs that a talented child cannot afford such as music, gymnastics, sports, or STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math.
Utlize your interest Do you have a special interest you’d like to bolster? Health (e.g., blood drives), nutrition, childhood development, gardening, bicycling (safe paths), nature (Parks), Museums, small businesses, building a sense of community, patriotism.
Share your talent What do you do well? Cooking/baking, building & repair, (including painting) music/singing, animal training/care, arts & crafting, photography, mechanical repair, hairstyling, multi-lingual/sign language, event planning, teacher, medical/dental….. Maybe you have strengths in problem solving, facilitating cooperation, specific business skills (marketing, HR, admin, finances) that you can offer a charity organization. Perhaps you are a leader and you can organize drives for food, diapers, stuffed toys, hygiene kit, turkeys…
Your local Church, Diocese, or well-known charities in the community such as St. Vincent de Paul could be a source for you find ways to serve. A great website that all kinds of charitable organizations use to post the help they are needing is idealist.org which can be filtered to your needs in your area.
We all benefit when we are a light in the world. Get involved and shine!
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And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” Luke 10:27
SINCE 1979