Are You Giving Back to Your Community?
You’ve been working like crazy all summer long, but you don’t have the time or the means to take the kind of vacation where you get to sit on a beach while someone regularly brings you ice cubes swimming in tequila.
Thursday has written how you can create an excellent experience by volunteering your skills for a local non-profit or charity.
Sure, you could put your mad coding skills to good use for the local homeless shelter, or write some fantastic press release for whatever cause you align with – but sometimes a change is as good as a rest, and you might want to break out of your normal daily routine.
Here’s a list of places that can use your help; physically, financially, or just by visibly supporting them. Many of you already know how cathartic building something is, and if it’s something that another family can live in – all I can say is WOW.
Habitat for Humanity – you don’t need to be a master carpenter to help Habitat for Humanity. Pushing a broom, washing windows, and sweeping floors all need your talents. What I like about this, is you are directly helping someone – or some family – in your local community.
Red Cross – want a mini vacation from your current work day? Take an hour or two and go donate something that you made yourself that will save someone else’s life – your blood. And to make the deal even sweeter – you get to have free cookies and juice. In Canada, I use Canadian Blood Services.
Big Brothers/Big Sisters – Teach your new brother or sister how to code, how to write, or how to draw. Then just hang out, and see the world through the eyes of a kid. Already have kids? Then one more isn’t going to hurt you, but it might make a world of difference to your child and your new brother/sister.
As the internet continues to shrink our world around us, what do you do to give back? If you haven’t yet, plan to do it this month. I guarantee that you will enjoy it, or I’ll give you your money back**.
** Money back guarantee doesn’t actually involve money, but it’s the thought that counts.**
Leave a Comment
Excellent post! I have been working with family members that created a charity for children affected by congenital heart defect (CHD), in memory of their daughter who died from the defect (http://www.OliviasHeartFund.org). So far I’ve been able to help out by redesigning the website, logos and business cards.
I’m also creating a series of heart paintings that illustrate the stories of families affected by CHD for an exhibition and to sell prints in support of the charity. It’s been a lot of work, but it also feels good to be doing something tangible to help a really good cause. Please check out my blog to see the paintings and get more information on the project – everything I’m doing is being donated, but it can only help them if word gets out about CHD and the art exhibition!
http://blog.lisakretchman.com/search/label/Olivia's%20heart%20fund
Thanks!
-Lisa
Charity begins at home…How about Coaching your kid’s team(s), teaching Sunday School or working a local food pantry? Start small and local and REALLY see the fruits of your labor.
I do volunteer, but not as a designer or a photographer. Why not? Because I’ve learned the hard way that offering my paid-for services for free only devalues them. Yes, I’ve heard that pro bono work can be a good way to get referrals to paying work, but wouldn’t it be easier to just go straight to the people who can pay you in the first place?
If there’s one organization I would love to do volunteer work for, it’s the World Wildlife Fund. I’m very passionate about animals and endangered species and have always admired them for their continuing support and drive to save what’s left of the general population.
If I was given the opportunity, I’d definitely establish my career as a writer for them.
I use my flexible schedule to be a part of the volunteer fireman. Giving back to the community is the only way it feels like home to me.
In the UK, charities like Shelter and the NSPCC always need volunteers and donations.
Especially if like Martha, you don’t want to go down the Pro Bono route. Just a few hours of your time away from the usual work tasks is a good break for you, and helps out worthy causes.
My wife and I like to donate to Red Cross and Habitat for Humanity.
hate to say it but the only way i give back is by making it a point to buy everything local and never us the “big box stores” …i think giving back will be my new years resolution this year!
Great post with a great message. Thanks for the reminder that sometimes the best way to help ourselves is to help others. I’m definitely going to start looking into ways that I can do this.
-Moki
Volunteer work is quite tough when you’re doing ten projects at a time. Still, nothing beats that good old feeling of having done something greater than yourself. I had volunteered before for Habitat for Humanity and the work can be real tough ( building homes from scratch ), but when you think of who will benefit from your efforts – I’d say it’s worth a day under the sun. It’s not only good karma, but it can spice up your resume as well. I’d say do it when your heart’s really into it.
This is a great post, volunteering is always a great way to help escape the stress of juggling projects. I’d like to also suggest: The Hands on Network. http://www.handsonnetwork.org/ They have regional/State offices that are geared at neighborhood revitalization initiatives across the country. Notable chapters in the east coast are New York Cares, Greater Philadelphia Cares and Jersey Cares. As a Haitian business owner, I am well entrenched in the rescue efforts that are still going on. Check out the Haitian Professionals of Philadelphia (www.hpphilly.org) for various opportunities to help support this initiative nationwide.
funny, I recently posted a post on my blog talking just about that, although because I am a developer/consultant I aimed to that crowd.
my post is aimed more to whether every developer should be a member of the virtual community contributing to open source projects, answering forum questions etc…
the post is here:
http://www.kensodev.com/2010/08/03/should-all-developers-be-members-of-the-virtual-community/
giving back is a wonderful thing to do.