Tag: community Page 4 of 8

Helping the Homeless in the Winter

On February 23, 2022

Most people associate winter with Christmas gatherings and cozy nights at home with loved ones. While this is a reality for most people, millions of homeless people spend the long, brutal nights of the winter on the streets. In the wintertime, the homeless face obstacles other than extreme cold. Studies show that many homeless people feel even more alienated as they watch the rest of the world pass them by during the holiday season. Here are some things that the average person can do to make things better for the homeless population during the winter.

Donate Food

Donating food to homeless shelters is one of the easiest ways to help people living on the streets. Shelters everywhere are always looking for donations of canned food and other non-perishable items, such as noodles and bread. Shelters also accept leftover food. Organizations like Rescuing Leftover Cuisine regularly distribute leftovers from restaurants and catered events to shelters and food pantries.

Donate Clothing Items

Another way to help the homeless is to donate warm clothes to shelters. Although it might seem natural to throw out outdated coats and jackets, homeless people will gladly accept any type of apparel even if it is out of the current fashion sense. Shelters also regularly ask for donations of socks and blankets in the winter months.

Organize a Charity Drive

Organizing a charity drive is another way to help the homeless. Charity drives can include anyone, from co-workers, church groups, and even friends on social media. When organizing a charity drive, it is important to remember that local shelters might have different needs. While drives mostly collect items like toys and food, it is beneficial to contact shelters in the area to determine what items can make the biggest impact at the current moment.

Purchase Items from Philanthropic Businesses

Another easy way to assist the homeless is to shop at philanthropic organizations. These organizations donate a portion of their profits directly to shelters and other charitable organizations. A simple way to purchase items from a philanthropic business is to shop online using Amazon Smile.

Seek Help from Local Organizations

If a homeless person is in serious distress, it is important to contact local services to assist the individual in getting the necessary help. Contacting 311 is the simplest way of getting in contact with local organizations that can help the homeless on cold nights. Many areas even have organizations that assist specific groups, such as runaway kids and veterans.

4 Fundraising Trends That Will Be Important in 2022 and Beyond

By Jerry Swon

On January 31, 2022

In Blog, Community, Volunteer

In the last decade, fundraising has gone through a major shift. With access to technology and different money distribution methods, fundraising is now more streamlined and effective than it has ever been before. Here are four trends that will be relevant in 2022 and beyond.

There will be More Flexible Giving Options

In the last decade, there has been a significant shift in the ways people make donations. It is now easier than ever to raise money for a cause with online fundraising platforms and crowdfunding platforms. For example, you can give money through direct deposit into a charity’s bank account, or you can send out an online request for donations via social media. In 2022, there will be more options for giving as technology continues to advance and change the way people donate their money.

Technology will Advance the Giving Experiences

In the past, fundraising was largely performed by hand. Fundraisers would have to go to the bank and deposit checks and write letters all by themselves. Now, however, technology has advanced significantly. Using online platforms and fundraising tools has made it much easier for fundraisers to get their message out and raise money for their cause. This will be especially important in 2022 as more people are turning to technology when looking for ways to donate money.

Social Media is Going Mainstream

Since 2006, social media has become a mainstream form of communication. Today we can communicate with friends, family members, coworkers, and others through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and other social media sites on our smartphones or desktop computers at any time of the day. As this communication becomes more and more regular, it will become more and more critical to fundraising on social media.

Recurring Giving will be the Order of the Day

It was common for people to give a one-time donation to a charity or cause in the past. This was often because people had a specific event coming up, such as the Super Bowl or their child’s birthday party. However, recurring donations will be more important than one-time donations in the future. As technology advances and evolves, there will be even more ways of collecting money from donors regularly. The ability to have recurring donations will make it easier for charities and causes to raise money because they can collect money every month without asking donors for money every time.

Conclusion

The future is bright for fundraising. Technology has made it easier for fundraisers to raise money for their cause, and donors can easily donate money via various methods. The advancements in technology will make it even easier for charities to raise funds in the future.

How to Follow Through With Your Philanthropic Resolution

By Jerry Swon

On December 21, 2021

In Blog, Community, Volunteer

As the clock strikes midnight on December 31st, many people make resolutions to better themselves in the coming year. Whether it’s committing to a fitness routine or vowing to save more money, there are plenty of goals that people set for themselves during the first month of the year. But what about those who pledged to become more philanthropic? How can they follow through on their resolution and make a real difference in their community?

Here are a few tips for making your philanthropic resolutions a reality:

1. Define what “philanthropy” means to you.

The word “philanthropy” comes from the Greek words “Philos” (meaning “love”) and “Anthropos” (meaning “human”). So, philanthropy can be defined as the love of humans. But what does that mean for you?

Do you want to volunteer your time at a local homeless shelter? Or maybe donate to your favorite charity? It’s essential to define what philanthropy means to you to create specific goals and objectives for yourself.

2. Make a plan.

Once you know what you want to achieve, it’s time to make a plan of action. Figure out how much time you can commit to volunteering or how much money you want to donate each month. This will help you stay on track and achieve your goals.

3. Find a community of like-minded people.

It can be helpful to find a community of people who share the same philanthropic values. This can provide support and motivation as you work to make a difference in your community.

4. Be patient.

Don’t expect to change the world overnight. Remember that it takes time and effort to make a real difference in the lives of others. Have patience and be persistent in your efforts.

5. Celebrate your successes!

It’s important to celebrate your successes along the way. Not only does this help keep you motivated and cheerful, but it will also inspire others who want to make a difference as well.

6. Give back.

The best way to follow through on your philanthropic resolutions is to give back. Volunteer your time, money or skills to a cause that’s important to you. This is the best way to make a real impact in your community.

Resolving to become more philanthropic can be a rewarding experience. By following these tips, you can ensure that your resolution becomes a reality. And who knows? You might find that helping others is the best way to help yourself.

Volunteer Ideas This Holiday Season

By Jerry Swon

On November 24, 2021

In Blog, Community, Volunteer

The holiday season is a great time for a person to volunteer for the first time. Volunteering can make one feel good, and it can make a difference in one’s community. There are many opportunities for volunteering during the holiday season, and each person can find an opportunity that feels right for them.

Consider Making Cards to Pass Out:

Those who enjoy working with paper and creating crafts can work on putting together special holiday cards. The cards can then be given out to lonely neighbors, those in the hospital, or those who are making a difference in one’s community. Anyone who receives a homemade holiday card will feel special.

Spend Time with Residents in Assisted Living Facilities:

There are people who are living in homes that do not receive a lot of visitors and who can spend the holiday season longing for some company. Those who have the time should consider going to an assisted living facility to spend time with the residents there.

Give to Those Working at the Hospital:

Those who spend long hours working in the hospital during the holiday season will appreciate being remembered. One might put together a gift basket to present to the nurses at a local hospital.

Give to Those Working at the Fire and Police Departments:

Those who work at the fire and police department often have to give of their time during the holidays, missing out on family activities. Volunteers can present such people with baked goods and other gifts that help them know that they are remembered.

Shop for Children Who Won’t Otherwise Receive Gifts:

There are children who have parents in the prison system who will not receive gifts unless a volunteer buys them for them. There are also children living in poverty who would love to receive gifts. Volunteers can get involved with a variety of charities to shop for gifts for children who will not receive anything if strangers do not step in.

There are Many Holiday Volunteer Opportunities:

Each person can find a holiday volunteer opportunity that appeals to them and that fits with their strengths. When someone gives during the holiday season, they will feel good about what they are doing and the lives they are touching.

Top 4 First Responder Charities

By Jerry Swon

On November 3, 2021

In Blog, Community

Knowing which charity to donate to in response to a tragedy is always difficult. After all, the needs of these organizations are often different, and it can be hard to figure out what will make the most impact on your donation. But if you want your donations to go towards first responders, some excellent choices should be considered on this list of top 4 first responder charities.

1) The Red Cross

The American National Red Cross is the perfect place to donate if your money goes directly towards relief efforts. They are already on-site in disaster areas and have a long history of providing medical care for people who need it most, including first responders. In addition, they have a special fund to help first responders who need support in the wake of national disasters.

The Red Cross is also one of the most efficient organizations when it comes to their finances and spending, which means that you can be sure your donation will go towards helping others as quickly as possible. While their services are available for anyone affected by the tragedy, you can be sure that your donation will go towards helping first responders.

2) The National Police Defense Foundation

The mission of the NPDF is to provide support for police officers working in dangerous conditions, including during natural disasters. They pay out all their costs through donations, so you can be sure that your donation will go towards helping these first responders.

3) The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation

This foundation exists to honor the bravery and sacrifice of all firefighters who have lost their lives in service. They offer financial support, scholarships, and training for those affected by the tragedy, as well as a scholarship fund available exclusively to first responders looking to make a career change or re-enter the workforce after an injury has pushed them out of their previous career.

4) The EOD Warrior Foundation

Support the brave men and women who work as Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) officers. This charity works to support those affected by PTSD, traumatic brain injuries, and other psychological trauma related to their line of work. They also provide financial assistance for immediate family members of first responders killed in action or severely injured.

The EOD Warrior Foundation also works to provide support for those injured in the line of duty and need a new start. They offer scholarships, loans, job training programs, and an employment service that pairs wounded vets with companies hiring veterans. This foundation is one of the best places to donate if you want your money to go directly towards helping first responders.

Back To School Fundraising Ideas for 2021

By Jerry Swon

On August 5, 2021

In Blog, Community

School is just around the corner, and you may be looking for some fundraising ideas to help your school. Fortunately, there are all sorts of different options available that can bring in a lot of money. Here are some of the best 2021 back-to-school fundraising ideas that you can utilize.

Bake Sale

Baked goods are cheap to make, and schools can use this to their advantage by having a bake sale. Schools usually don’t have to pay any money for supplies because most parents often don’t mind donating baked goods for the school to sell as part of a fundraiser. Bake sales are a fairly easy fundraiser to host as they don’t require a lot of work.

Parent’s Night Out

Almost all parents need a break, but they might not get out all that often because they don’t have a babysitter. Schools can help parents by offering a night where they can drop off their children at their child’s school for several hours for a small fee. Parents, teachers, and staff can keep the children entertained by playing games, doing art projects, or watching movies.

Talent Show

Many kids have talents that they’d love to show off to their parents, teachers, and friends. For schools that are looking for a fundraiser that will allow their students to be involved, a talent show is a great option. The school can charge for tickets to see the show, and they can even sell concessions during intermission or after the show as well.

Penny Drive

A lot of us have quite a few pennies lying around that we never plan on using. They can go to good use if a school decides to host a penny drive. How it works is that parents and students donate pennies to the school as part of a fundraiser. These pennies can add up if everyone gets involved.

If you are looking for a back-to-school fundraiser, there are all sorts of ideas that you can utilize. These fundraisers can be used to raise money for things like dances, field trips, and new equipment for the school. They also are a great way to get everyone involved in something that they can feel good about.

How to Balance Profit and Purpose at your Business

By Jerry Swon

On July 13, 2021

In Blog, Community, Volunteer

We often see a business as an entity that we put up, either commercial or industrial, to make a profit. What if we included passion in this equation? Doing what we love the most, professionally, to produce profit sounds fun. One gets some fulfillment and a sense of purpose if they do it. Here are several ways one can use to balance profit and purpose in a business:

• Be inspired
For one to archive results, you need to sit down and evaluate the scenario. Try and do something new and different. It brings in a refreshing change and most probably bears different results. Travel to new places and try to learn as much as possible from your tours.

• Be ready to take action
Identify a gap in the market and try to see how you can develop ways of providing a solution to existing gaps.

• Empower your workers and others
Once you have identified your business purpose and are already meeting this purpose, it is wise to empower those you work with. Let everyone in your team have a sense of purpose. Let everyone have a role and part to play to complete the picture. You will do this by clearly outlining your vision and purpose and going further ahead to have everyone get well-defined goals and responsibilities. Delegate duties and let everyone be accountable. That way, the business is sure to continue running in the same way, even in your absence, and still, keep meeting its purpose and objectives.

• Fund the business growth
As the business grows, it sometimes requires additional funding to meet the growing demands and expand to other regions and areas. To do this, you have to be strategic. It would help if you found the right kind of partners or alternative funding. Whether partners or financiers, they must believe in your cause first to support it. Find people who love your product and believe in your mission. They are most likely to support growth and expansion.

The business world is a complex one. It requires patience, determination, and hard work. The impact of the business is usually far more significant when the profits are tied and connected with one’s purpose.

Jerry Swon Mendham New Jersey Giving Back Summer

Ways to Give Back to the Community This Summer

By Jerry Swon

On June 23, 2021

In Blog, Community

It has been a very long year for most people. The lasting impacts of the pandemic are ongoing and still significantly impact communities around the country. It was a challenging year for many people, and support is still needed to help get them and their communities back to their normal, pre-pandemic state. Some people were able to truly survive the pandemic and find a way to get back to their normal state. And many of these people are looking to find ways to give back.

There are a myriad of ways a person can try and give back to their community this summer. These also come in many forms, allowing anybody who has resources or time available to help give back to their community. By people giving back, communities will be able to return to normalcy faster and help keep communities thriving.

The first way someone can give back is to donate personal protective equipment. With the coronavirus still very much a factor in society, donating resources to help fight and prevent the spread of this illness is one easy way anybody can help. Masks are still a hot commodity and can be used in many scenarios and places, making them a much-needed item that could be donated. Hand sanitizer and hand soap are also highly sought after right now, as they help individuals stay clean and sanitary. Hand sanitizer is portable and easy to use, so having some on hand could be very important as communities begin to reopen and return to normal.

Sanitizing wipes are also needed and could be donated, as they are the easiest and quickest way to clean off and sanitize work and eating stations, helping stop the spread of the virus.

Another simple way for people to give back to their community is simple- get vaccinated. Certain events, places, and communities have vaccination goals they need to reach before they can fully reopen, and getting the vaccine is a simple way to help meet these numbers. This will also help states get closer to herd immunity and significantly reduce the spread of the virus. This is also a free option for people, and many establishments are offering rewards to those who chose to get vaccinated.

Jerry Swon Mendham New Jersey Virtual Volunteering

How to Become a Virtual Volunteer

By Jerry Swon

On May 19, 2021

In Community, Volunteer

The pandemic has forced many people to remain indoors and suspend their regular activities, including community engagement and volunteering. Depending on location and relative risk, it may not be possible for many people to go back out in public for some time. If you still want to volunteer, virtual volunteering may be a great option. It’s also an excellent opportunity for those who have limited time to spare but still want to engage with their community or help introduce children and teenagers to volunteering gradually.

What is it?

Virtual volunteering is precisely as it sounds; it allows people to volunteer in a non-traditional manner through online participation. This allows more flexibility in terms of time and capability while still offering an opportunity to help and interact with other community members. All you need is a computer, the internet, and the desire to help.

What kind of virtual volunteer opportunities are available?

Whatever your passion, you can probably find an organization that needs some assistance online. The United Nations Volunteer website can provide opportunities to use specialized skills like writing and artistic ability. Those fluent in multiple languages can donate their time at Translators Without Borders. Anyone interested in contributing to collective knowledge and scientific discovery should check out Zooniverse and the Smithsonian Digital Volunteers website. As with all volunteering, the most essential part is to choose a cause you’re passionate about.

The benefits of virtual volunteering

Virtual volunteering is an excellent option for those feeling lonely or isolated by the pandemic. It provides an opportunity to talk and work with other people constructively. Studies have repeatedly demonstrated the positive mental health benefits of community engagement, so not only will you be helping others, but you’ll be practicing a form of self-care, as well. It can also be a great way to learn new skills and practice ones you already have; experience is one of the best teachers, and working on your abilities in a way that directly helps people can be highly motivating.

If you have some extra time and want to help, consider virtual volunteering as a quick and easy way to contribute your time and try out a variety of different opportunities.

How to Host Virtual Fundraising Events

By Jerry Swon

On April 1, 2021

In Blog, Community, Uncategorized, Volunteer

During the past year, many organizations have had to cancel and postpone their fundraising events due to the pandemic. Although some places are beginning to open up again, it’s still wise to be cautious of your surroundings. Many nonprofit organizations have found ways to fundraise virtually, but not all have been successful. Let’s take a look at ways you can host a successful fundraising event virtually, even after the pandemic is over in years to come.

Online Gala Dinner

If your organization normally hosts a gala dinner every year with the same crowd in attendance, consider inviting the guest list from the year before to a video call. Surprise everyone with an invitation alongside a party box filled with snacks and party favors. Since gala dinners normally involve a ton of food, you can even partner up with a local restaurant to donate food and have it delivered to your guest’s home. During the virtual dinner, you can have speakers and do small ticket prizes for anyone who attends.

Virtual Races

Whether it may be a walk-a-thon, marathon, or ride-a-thon, virtual races are perfect for those who want to get a workout in a while supporting a cause. Just like regular in-person races, people who participate in these fundraising events can join on their own. This is a great way to encourage people to social distance and raise awareness for your organization’s cause. You can ask participants to send in videos and pictures of them during the virtual race so you can post them on social media. Typically people can donate money before the race to determine how many hours or miles participants should walk, run or ride.

Webinar

Plenty of organizations have hosted webinars before the pandemic, but if yours hasn’t done so, then right now is the time. Webinars are the perfect way to keep your audience educated and up to date with your organization. Aside from the informative side, webinars are a great place to hold fundraisers with experts and community leaders. You can charge a small fee for the webinar and share how the funds will fulfill your organization’s mission. The most successful webinars offer donation tiers and not just a set amount. It’s important to note that some people have more to give than others, but any amount is highly appreciated.