Giving til it hurts is hard enough. Giving when you’re already trying to figure out how to pay the mortgage – as many folks are these days – is quite another.
Yes, this post is wildly off topic. I promise to mention the word “green” in here somewhere to keep it somewhat relevant (there it was!).
But these are the times when giving – of time as much as of money – is more important than ever. Giving a little of ourselves to others enriches us. And who couldn’t use a little enriching these days?
Find something you love and give something of yourself to it. For five minutes, allow yourself to think of something other than the economy, the plummeting balance in your 401k and how long you can go before getting the brakes fixed.
Think of it as a cheap thrill – what else makes you feel so good, for so long, for so little?
If you’re looking for ideas, here are a few. But these days, you don’t have to look far for chances to help someone else out. You might be surprised how much a phone call to a neighbor that was recently laid off means, or an offer to carpool to school for a family going through a tough time (which saves wear and tear on the environment, and so we’ve come full circle!).
MDA Stride & Ride – If you’re looking for stories of courage, love and hope, look no further than the families involved in this battle. We became aware of this particular event through the Pritchard family. Emily and Michael Pritchard can tell the story about their son Jake best: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/jakepritchard
Helping Hand – Odds are there’s a nursing home within 10 minutes of your house. Odds are there’s an elderly person there who doesn’t get much in the way of visitors. Call the Admissions Director of the facility and ask if anyone there could use…a new pair of soft socks, a box of chocolate chip cookies. It really doesn’t take much. A simple gesture that shows someone out there is thinking of them, and will drive 10 minutes to drop off a couple of magazines for them to read, is an enormous gift to a lonely senior.
Food Drives – There’s no shortage of these right now. Buy one can of something – beans, corn, whatever – each week at the grocery store. Use coupons or find sales. It will cost less than a dollar a week. Save it up, donate it to a local church or food pantry.
VolunteerMatch.org – Connect with non-profit groups that match your interests in your area or nationwide through this free service.
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