Creative and Impactful Ways You Can Give Back
While philanthropy may sound like a fancy excuse for banquets and gatherings of the socialites reserved for the ultra-rich, the core meaning of it boils down to the simple yet grand act of giving back. To give back is to share your kindness with those that need it most, and while most associate it with donating money and extensive amounts of time, we are here to ease your mind and inform you that making your mark on your community and the world around you doesn’t have to be hard or time-consuming. If you intend to leave this world better than you found it, we have compiled a list of creative ways in which you can achieve this ambitious pursuit that doesn’t have to involve extraneous amounts of money or dedicating your entire life.
Why Should You Give Back?
Even the smallest acts of kindness can harvest heaps of positive impact and gratitude in all that is involved, be it those giving and receiving. The simple satisfaction of knowing that you’ve done a good deed and helped those in need is a reward in and of itself, however, the benefits that giving back brings into your life do not stop at personal fulfilment.
Improve Your Health
Giving back does not only give your life a sense of purpose and meaning but also teaches you lifelong skills that will be beneficial in years to come. On top of that, giving back has been proven to improve both your mental and physical health! People that have spent a portion of their life donating time and effort to helping others have statistically longer and healthier lives. So, put simply, to give back is to live a healthier and happier life.Make Lasting Connections
To give back is to become one with your community. It is to get to know the good and the bad and choose to promote the best parts of it while reducing the negative. When you spend your time volunteering, you have the opportunity to meet some of the greatest people with amazing intentions. You can broaden your social horizons and grow your network of friends that share similar passions and interests. Allowing yourself to be open-minded to interacting with people from all walks of life and social statuses will help you create lifelong friendships and connections.Learn Life Skills
Communication, patience, and dedication are some of the most important lessons you can learn in your lifetime, and through the act of giving back, you can certainly expedite the process of acquiring those oh-so-important life skills. By working with a diverse group of people united in the same goal to help improve the community around you, you learn to communicate despite your differences. In addition to that, by interacting with a group of people from different backgrounds and interests you can potentially discover a new life passion or hobby that could transform your life!Ways You Can Give Back
Now that we have determined and shared the multitude of ways in which giving back will enrich your life, it is time to address how exactly you can implement this selfless act into your daily routine without sacrificing your entire wallet or free time. After all, you cannot pour out of an empty cup, and sharing your kindness with others does not mean depleting yourself of your own. Below we will share a few tips for starting your philanthropic journey.
Figure Out Your Cause
In a world where so many things need fixing, it can be quite overwhelming to find a cause that’s right for you. Realistically speaking, you cannot fix it all, but you can make an impact. The first step to getting involved is to find a cause that is right for you. Utilizing resources such as VolunteerMatch.org will help you navigate through the many charities and organizations that are in dire need of help. Find one that you feel passionately about and find out how you can get involved in your local community.
If the cause you feel most drawn to does not offer any chances to be involved in your physical location, there are ample online volunteer opportunities listed on the site as well. How amazing is that? You can do good from the comfort of your own home!
Become a Pen Pal
The value that having a human connection and relationships brings into our lives is indescribable. Unfortunately, for some of us, this proves to be quite a challenge. Whether it’s an elderly person that doesn’t have close friends or family to communicate with or an inmate with no ability to interact with others, oftentimes, a simple act of receiving a letter with a positive and supportive note is enough to lift their spirits.
Share kindness and install hope in others by becoming pen pals with those that feel alone. You can give back by listening to incredible life stories and learn a few things too. It will make others feel appreciated and can eventually turn into a long-term friendship.
On writeoncampaign.com you can find a list of organizations that are in search of conversation partners for those in need of a little pick me up. From children to the elderly, you can spread your love with a simple note, because the most beautiful gifts come in the smallest of packages.
A Man’s Best Friend
Spreading compassion isn’t limited to just people, it includes our four-legged companions as well. Volunteering at your local animal shelter is a fun and enjoyable way to give back to the community around you. Giving baths, taking long walks, and playing with creatures so full of love is one of the most rewarding volunteer opportunities out there. If you are someone who loves animals but cannot find the time or have the ability to own one, the next best thing that helps both you and the pets is spending a few hours at your local animal shelter.
Donate Hair
Sporting long locks and looking for a change of hairstyle? Your hair can go a long way (no pun intended) in charities dedicated to the creation of wigs and hairpieces for those that lost their hair. There are a variety of charities available to which you simply donate your chopped-off mane and help improve the confidence of those unable to have their own.
Various organizations have their unique requirements when it comes to the length and quality of the donated hair so make sure you do your research so your valuable strands go to the right hands!
Support Businesses That Give Back
When it comes to changing the world, it is a group effort. While as individuals we represent a simple drop in the ocean, together we create a wave. That is the effect of supporting businesses whose purpose is to give back.
Such is the case with Brothers4Change, an online retailer whose proceeds make education accessible to those in developing countries.
Brothers4Change dedicates 10% of each sale's profit to help provide and improve education in countries that need it most. Inspired and driven by their mission to provide the tools of education to future generations, supporting Brothers4Change is a sure way to give back to not only your local community but the world.
So, the next time you are planning to make a purchase, consider opening an account and utilizing Brothers4Change to make a difference. It doesn’t cost you anything but it means everything to those that need your support.
What do you say? Will you join the wave?