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Many of us have that one friend (or perhaps more than one of them!) who always seems to be doing something for a good cause. Preparing to run a marathon, organizing a fundraiser, asking for sponsorship to do a bungee jump for charity, or shaving their head to donate their hair for wigs for cancer patients, there seems to be no end to their energy for spreading the word and collecting money to help those less fortunate. Of course, knowing someone like that can make you feel a bit guilty for not making as much of a difference yourself, but it can also be pretty inspiring – after all, if they can raise money or do something that makes a real difference to people who need it, so can you!
If you've been thinking about doing more for charity but need some other reasons beyond simply making the world a better place, here are three reasons you may not have thought of to help motivate you!
It Is Good for Your Public Image
This may mostly apply to public figures, entertainers, athletes and business leaders, but the impact being seen as a philanthropic person can have on how you are viewed by people is huge. Consider well known businessmen who have become philanthropists, like Bill Gates or Aubrey Chernick, or celebrities we know do a lot of work for good causes like Angelina Jolie. Their kind acts make them good role models and more well liked in the public eye. This may not seem like it would make a difference to you, however acts of philanthropy can help on your resume in the same way when applying to jobs or schools.
You Can Make New Friends
By their very nature, acts intended to raise donations mean you have to meet with and talk to lots of different people, and spread the word about what you are doing on the internet. This can help you make lots of new contacts and friends who share an interest in the same cause. Additionally, if you do something that is also an experience, like entering a race on behalf of a charity, you will almost certainly bond with others who are rising to the same challenge.
You Can Use it as an Added Incentive to Meet Your Own Goals
Do you really want to get in shape or lose weight, or conquer a fear, but always seem to back out or quit? If so, then adding a charity into the mix can help keep you on course to meet your goals. Get sponsorship to train for that long race or take that skydive for a charity, and you not only will have to confess your failure to all of your sponsors if you don't do it, but you'll also be letting down the needy – so you almost certainly won't fail!
These are just three of the reasons to get up and organize or do something to help a good cause, so why not start coming up with ideas today!
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I like Operation Smile and a local one for animals, Make a Difference.
ReplyDeleteMy beloved little Bauey muffin came from a Houston area shelter called Citizens for Animal Protection (CAPs) so of course they're a favorite. I have a friend who has great stories about volunteering for Dress for Success and hearing her firsthand experience has gotten me interested in the organization, too.
ReplyDeleteSt. Jude's is a favorite of mine.
ReplyDeleteI like to give to charities that deal with childhood hunger and those that help people get back on their feet, whether it's food or job training.
ReplyDeleteI love learning about the charities closest to peoples hearts. I feel like it's an amazing peek into who they are. The Alzheimer's Association and veteran related charities are closest to my heart.
ReplyDeleteCity of Elderly Love: Save a Senior Pet and Citizens for a No-Kill Philadelphia. Saving senior pets from the high kill shelter in Philly (and surrounding areas) and CNKP holds monthly pet pantry events to provide low income or people having a hard time, feed their pets.
ReplyDeleteSt. Jude and Shriners Hospitals are my favorites. Danny Thomas did a wonderful thing building that hospital and a special man, Willis Hand was a Shriner.
ReplyDeleteLove, your Momma
I love charity work! I'm on the philanthropy committee at work and vote on different charities to work with weekly/attend events/represent the company. I also volunteer at place when and where I can.
ReplyDeleteI volunteered for several years with Make-A-Wish in Houston. That is a damn fine organization. MDAnderson is a cancer center in Houston where both of my stepmoms have received cancer treatments (and my friend, Kristi, who recently passed). I donate to them annually. They also have a children's art project https://www.childrensart.org/ - I buy loot from them pretty regularly as well.
ReplyDeleteI will always have a place in my heart for the Quincy Animal Shelter because it brought me Seamus. I will also always support breast cancer efforts.
ReplyDeleteThe Michael Cuccione foundation for childhood cancer. (He was the kid from the band 2ge+her.) Also the Make-a-Wish foundation.
ReplyDeleteI like to donate to March of Dimes, Special Olympics, and Autism Speaks.
ReplyDeleteSteph you are so awesome! seriously.
ReplyDeletei donate to march of dimes, make a wish foundation and anything that helps children.
There's a local charity called The Children's Attention Home that provides shelter and basic needs to children seized by CPS. These kids are often removed from their homes abruptly so they do some awesome programs where they have these comfort bags they give to kids who are seized in the middle of the night that have blankets, teddy bears, snacks, etc. They do so much goodwill in the community and I love supporting some of the smaller charities that might not get the recognition that larger ones might.
ReplyDeletethis is so awesome!! i love leukemia lymphoma society
ReplyDeleteI things animals of course! Red Door in Chicago is my favorite because that's where hrh princess Hawkeye is from.
ReplyDeleteI love your big giving heart!!! Obviously, I am a huge fan of the Greater Birmingham Humane Society since I volunteer my time there and all. But basically any charity that gives to animals or sick kids has my heart.
ReplyDeleteI won't enter your giveaway because I would feel like a toolbag being like "DONATE IT TO MY NON-PROFIT"... but yes, I'm a big fan of you (and MFD's) strong desire to give back and encourage others to do the same. It's why we can be friends.... among other reasons... like pugs. And the belly laughs you give me on a regular basis. I like organizations with low overhead so that donations go to charity, not to administrative and fundraising costs... which is probably why I don't raise enough money... but WHATEVER. Focusing on the good. :)
ReplyDeleteI was afraid I'd be too late for this one, but I saw there were still a couple of days left. I donate most often to the Alzheimer's Association and the American Cancer Society.
ReplyDeleteYou are amazing. I really love your charity work! I just donated back to school books and supplies to a local orphanage. It brings me joy :)
ReplyDeleteAfter my son's premature birth, March of Dimes is my favorite charity. I also do volunteer work for his NICU because they were amazing.
ReplyDeleteSt Jude Research Hospital, NODCC, Special Olympics, March of Dimes, Cancer Society, Alzheimer's research, to name a few...
ReplyDeleteSt. Jude's is my favorite. They do such great things for children and their families. I'm a sucker for helping kids. Although I do plenty of races for charity and give money to St. Jude's, I would love to give more of my time for charity work. It's not realistic currently since the baby's so tiny, but when he doesn't rely on me so much, I would like to volunteer more time to charity. I'm going to make this my second half of the year goal.
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