Why Give?

Have you ever lost something and you had to replace it?   Whether it was an item you had saved money for months to purchase or a small item you spontaneously grabbed in a store, you probably were able to replace it.   Unfortunately this is not common for everyone and sometimes this is easy to forget this.

Sadly in Chicago I am constantly reminded of how lucky I truly am to have clothes to wear, food to eat, and a place to live.   If you walk down the busiest streets of Chicago or the outskirts of downtown, you will almost always see a homeless person and it breaks my heart every time.   I have so much to be thankful for and I wish I could fix all the problems in the world .    With all the hustle in bustle of our daily lives, it is easy to overlook how blessed we are, and I am definitely guilty of this at times    The holiday season should not be the only time to help others, I would love for people to do one act of kindness every day for someone else.

To me that is why I GIVE.   I give my time, my money, and my skills to better the life/lives of others.   The act of giving to me fulls a certain place in my heart and if I didn't fill it I would feel like something was missing.   In spirit of this holiday season  I wanted to do something for the children my organization serves, and Tis' the Season to be Charitable.

Yesterday I had the privilege of bringing hats and mittens to the children at my organization's school on the South Side of Chicago, called Educare.   Educare of Chicago is a state-of-the-art school that serves approximately 150 at-risk infants, toddlers, and preschoolers in Chicago's Grand Boulevard neighborhood.  It was an absolutely joy to walk into each classroom and giving each child a hat and pair of mittens for them to keep. 

Skylar enjoying her new pink hat & mittens

One particular child almost brought me to tears, his name was Lamar.  One of the CUTEST little boys and was so incredibly huggy with me.   As I was leaving his classroom he followed me holding out his hat and mittens wanting me to take them back.   I was confused at first but than realized what message he was trying to tell me non-verbally.   I told him they were for him and only for him.

 

Lamar

That moment in itself was why I give.  It is why I love leading our holiday drive at my organization every year because I get to see these smiling faces and make their day.   How can that not make you want to give??

So my question to you:  what do you care about?   Why do you give your time, or money to help others?   How have you made a difference or impact this year in 2010?   How do you plan to "give" in the year 2011?  I would love to hear from you. 

“We should become prosperous by working hard and then donate generously. ” ~ Atharva Veda