Tag: Volunteer Page 3 of 6

How to Make Philanthropy a Habit for the Next Generation

On August 25, 2021

It can be very challenging to teach children about the importance of giving back. Philanthropy is such an essential part of human culture and history, but it often doesn’t come naturally for young children. The concept of philanthropy is so complex and abstract that it’s hard to make it relevant for children. Effective philanthropy can be a life-long habit that positively shapes people’s view of the world and creates a sense of fulfillment. Here are some tips to get your kids ready for philanthropic success:

-Start them off as soon as they are capable of understanding. It is never too early to instill values in your child.

-Teach them about different charitable causes from an early age so that they understand the needs around the world. They will not feel overwhelmed or lost when confronted with options later in life.

-Encourage them to donate their time, money, clothes, toys, and other goods. This way, they can see firsthand that giving back doesn’t always mean monetary donation. If they want new toys, encourage them to donate their old toys instead of throwing them away.

-Hold family meetings to discuss your charitable endeavors and ask the children what they want to do.

-Find opportunities for them to volunteer with local organizations. These experiences will teach your child that giving back doesn’t always have to involve money, and it will help them understand that many people need their assistance.

-Introduce them to other philanthropists when they are young so that they can see how their generosity affects others’ lives. This will increase the likelihood that they too will choose to give back as an adult.

-Teach them the value of giving appropriately. It is crucial to teach young people how and when to give to others in need, as well as some of the common pitfalls such as scams and frauds.

Most importantly, be sure that you are a generous person yourself so that they see philanthropy as part of their everyday life. This will ensure that they understand the importance of giving back and will instill values in them that last for a lifetime.

Not everyone is born to be a philanthropist. It takes time and dedication to learn about the world’s needs and how to help. However, these suggestions will get your children ready for any charitable endeavors that they might encounter in their own lives.

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.

Organizations Helping Military Veterans

By Jerry Swon

On February 8, 2021

In Blog, Community, Volunteer

Choosing a charity can be challenging. There are numerous organizations and nonprofits, all with different causes. So how do you choose a charity to donate your time or money to? The first step is choosing what type of cause you’d like to become involved in. Many people would like to find ways to support the troops. Whether you’ve served yourself or have a veteran in your family, helping military veterans is a wonderful cause to align yourself with. If you’d like to make a difference in a service member’s or a veteran’s life then the next step is finding nonprofit.

The best charity organizations are those that focus on serving people in need. To do so, a nonprofit should be transparent with its finances and practices. If you’re looking for organizations to help military veterans there are a broad range of programs. Some groups focus on providing assistance such as utilities, rent, or medical expenses while others focus on boosting troops’ morale.

Here are a few highly-rated American organizations that are helping military veterans.

Freedom Service Dogs of America

This organization is special. The program adopts shelter dogs and then trains them to become service dogs. The majority of the dogs are then rehomed to military veterans and personnel who are injured or need assistance. The Freedom Service Dogs of America provides lifetime support to all of the veterans and their dogs and is 100 percent donor-funded. There is no charge for veteran clients.

The Gary Sinise Foundation

Actor, Gary Sinise has advocated for American military members for years. His foundation supports not only active duty service members and veterans but also first responders. The program’s mission to show gratitude towards those who serve this country through a number of programs. They host celebrations to boost morale, build homes for wounded veterans, and provide meals to families.

Operation Second Chance

This organization assists servicemen and women as they transition back into civilian life or back into active duty. Operation Second Chance has programs that pay and help to accommodate disabled veterans whether through remodeling housing or helping family members manage affairs. The charity does wonderful work in supporting soldiers in their rehabilitation and recovery.

There are many other ways to become involved with charities that don’t involve monetary donations. You can volunteer at a veterans hospital, provide calling cards, bake homemade treats, or write letters in support of our troops. Consider taking the time and finding a way to show appreciation for those who serve the country.

How a Philanthropy Program Can Help Business

By Jerry Swon

On November 20, 2020

In Blog, Community, Volunteer

Philanthropy programs in business involve financial contributions to society, donations to a specific cause, or employees volunteering their time to help or drive a cause. Many companies have embraced corporate social responsibility and are continuously dialing up their procedures to prioritize the activities. This factor is businesses have seen corporate philanthropy’s benefits for them, their employees, and the community. Here is how philanthropy is beneficial to a business.

Promote Company Image

Most people tend to align positively with companies that give back to the community that gives them business. They, therefore, develop a good impression of the company and will trust its services. In most instances, the result is more business from the community they support as they have built a bond of trust.

Happy Employees

Companies that involve their employees in philanthropy enjoy the benefits of a team with high morale. Enthusiastic employees are more productive and willing to be team players. Besides, the importance of corporate philanthropy is that it brings meaning to their staff showing them the organization cares about their personal needs and the community.

Excellent Recruitment

People always want to work for companies with a good reputation, and corporate philanthropy is a perfect mirror of this attribute. Philanthropic companies have an excellent resource of well-abled applicants in the communities they give assist. Individuals with a knack for giving back to society will be attracted to such businesses, bringing with them diverse talents.

Increase sales

People tend to spend more on brands that give back to society and support good causes than brands that do not have any social responsibility. Therefore, with a philanthropy program, businesses enjoy benefits such as high sales and profit margins and are likely to get more customers who support the same cause.

Brand Marketing

Since Corporate Social Responsibility has become significant in businesses, philanthropy is an excellent way to promote their brands in wider regions. Getting down to the community level and reaching out to customers to find out what matters to them and what changes they would like can market a business brand cost-efficiently. Philanthropy programs are ways for a business to present a unique identity that resonates with their clients and potential customers.

Conclusion

In conclusion, an excellent philanthropy program is beneficial to the business, employees, and the community. It is a win-win for everyone if the intent is good and the ultimate goals are transparent. For a business, this is an investment that pays off in the long run.

The Benefits of Community Gardening

By Jerry Swon

On July 9, 2020

In Blog, Community, Volunteer

Have you ever heard of a community garden? Urban agriculture, sometimes in the form of community gardening is a fantastic way to improve the health of community members, as well as benefit the environment. If you’re someone who is often involved with civic engagement then consider bringing the idea of a community garden to your next virtual neighborhood meeting.

While the year 2020 has posed a number of challenges to support the ability of a community to garden, there are still many ways to see that it’s made possible. Interested parties can discuss things online and set up times for everyone to go in person and get a bit of hands-on experience while remaining seperate and socially distanced. Community members should take their own tools, such as shovels and watering cans. It’s also important that everyone wears a mask and gloves while working in the common areas of the garden.

Community gardens can help to make nutritious foods more accessible in low-income areas Often times obesity and poor nutrition are issues that face these communities. A beautiful garden can help increase the number of fruits and vegetables that people have available to them. Furthermore, by composting the amount of neighborhood waste and be reduced. Not only will the animal life and biodiversity in the area begin to thrive, but the air and soil qualities will also rise.

Growing a garden and building stronger community ties go hand in hand. There are even correlations made between the safety of a neighborhood and whether or not there are shared things such as gardens.

Not only is urban gardening a wonderful way to impact the health of people in a positive way, but it’s also a great way to turn a vacant lot into something useful for everyone. In fact, there have been reports made that show neighborhoods with vacant lots are much more likely to see high crime rates, disease, and mental health disorders. An empty plot of land even decreases surrounding property values and can often become an illegal dumping site. Community gardening can truly empower people in the community.

Finally, urban agriculture or community gardening teaches residents, particularly young people, all sorts of useful skills. These skills include planning, food production, and responsibility. Once the garden is created volunteers can even begin selling any extra produce at local farmers’ markets. Community gardening can be one small way to make a difference in your area, both socially and economically.

Outstanding Animal Organizations in 2020

By Jerry Swon

On June 4, 2020

In Blog, Community, Volunteer

The noblest of causes revolve around helping those who are helpless, those who cannot help themselves. That is why caring for in-need animals is such a worthwhile, rewarding, and all-around wholesome endeavor. And that is why they are seriously deserving of recognition.

There are so many wonderful organizations that are deserving of recognition. One of the most impressive, however, is the African Wildlife Foundation. So many African countries are fighting a war against poachers, hunters who would take the life of African wildlife to sell parts of their bodies for quick cash. The African Wildlife Foundation works tirelessly to help protect the lives of rhinoceroses, hippopotamuses, lions, cheetahs, and gorillas, just to name a few, and 87% of the donations they receive go toward implementing the foundation’s many helpful programs.

Another awesome foundation helping animals, and one that is perhaps closer to home for many, is Alley Cat Allies. Nearly 3.4 million cats enter the American shelter system per year, and 1.4 million of those cats are euthanized. Alley Cat Allies is an organization that works to combat those startling statistics, and one of their most successful initiatives is TNR-Trap, Neuter, Return. Community cats are trapped through humane methods, fixed, and returned back to their communities to live out their lives without being able to reproduce. This way, the cats are neither euthanized nor can they contribute to the mass amount of feline homelessness and euthanasia.

Of course, wild and domestic animals are not the only ones who need help. Animal Equity is an international organization that fights against animal cruelty across a wide variety of species, including farm animals. They oppose large factory farms and instead promote family-run farming, and they investigate facilities in order to ensure the humane treatment of animals.

Other noteworthy organizations include Bald is Beautiful Dog Rescue, Blind Cat Rescue and Sanctuary, and Flying Fur Animal Rescue, all of which are doing their part to fight against so many injustices that animals face worldwide.

Although it’s difficult to think about, there are animals being mistreated, neglected, and abused at this very moment. These organizations, along with countless others, do their part to put an end to that abuse and, therefore, deserve immense recognition, far more than this article can provide.

Virtual Fundraising Ideas

By Jerry Swon

On May 8, 2020

In Blog, Community, Volunteer

The social distancing regulations are still in effect in most states, although they have been loosened in some parts of the country. That being the case, it’s not business as usual for many companies and organizations, including nonprofit organizations. Many nonprofit organizations are reducing their fundraising efforts significantly or completely as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. If this is true for your nonprofit organization, remember that all is not lost. The virtual world has not changed, and you can still utilize it for your fundraising efforts. Here are three ideas.

1. Virtual Peer-to-Peer Fundraiser

A virtual fundraising campaign can be built using existing social media networks like Facebook, Twitter, and others. A fundraising page can quickly be designed using these networks, and the word will quickly get out to those interested in participating. When each individual involved in the fundraising has a social media account of their own, the word will get out even faster. Each person involved can create their particular fundraising page on any one of these platforms and connect with a multitude of people and organizations willing to donate.

2. Virtual Discussions Fundraiser

The social isolation people have to endure can be used to the benefit of your fundraising attempts. You can use virtual meeting tools like Skype, FaceTime, and Zoom to set up small discussion groups and center the discussion around topics concerning your cause. Once you have everyone signed in and participating, you can request contributions. It’s up to you and/or your team just how guests will be solicited for donations. You can do this by embedding a link in the meeting system you’re using.

3. Virtual Cooking Lesson Fundraiser

This is a time when more people than usual are willing to sit down and learn new skills. Food preparation has become a necessity for many who regularly used restaurants for themselves and their families’ meals before this pandemic began. Everyone loves eating, and many have had to learn to cook recently. Take advantage of the situation by setting up a virtual cooking lesson fundraiser. Simply live-stream the lessons and use that as a way to pull people in. This kind of fundraising isn’t limited to just cooking, either. There are many creative crafts you can use to get your audience’s attention and, hopefully, financial support.

How to Help Vulnerable Populations

By Jerry Swon

On April 6, 2020

In Blog, Community, Volunteer

The daily headlines are discouraging. Yet, as in times past, Americans are rising up to the occasion by helping fellow citizens in need. However, more help is needed. In this era of social distancing, agencies who need volunteers are adjusting their donation protocols so that those who wish to volunteer can so.

If you would like to contribute to the COVID-19 response, below are five ways you can contribute today.

Donate to United Way’s COVID-19 Community Response and Recovery Fund. It provides access to food, shelter and more to the most vulnerable Americans wherever they live. Your financial support goes directly to those efforts.

Make a financial or in-kind donation to the Salvation Army. It provides food, shelter, childcare, and snacks to first responders, among other efforts. Specific instructions on how to donate can be found on their website.

Ronald McDonald House Charities is accepting financial and in-kind donations that are specific to local and international chapters. Its mission is to support families with housing and meals who are away from home to be with their sick children. In the wake of COVID-19, they are also repurposing space to accommodate medical staff responding to this crisis.

Meals on Wheels is in need of volunteers to deliver meals to senior citizens. They are also accepting financial gifts towards the cost of doing the same. If you’re interested, contact your local chapter. They need your help.

The Red Cross is in dire need of volunteers. The agency is still accepting donations of blood, yet in very different ways amid COVID-19. They need help in many ways, so it is best to visit their website and find the perfect volunteer opportunity for you. They even have a need for virtual volunteers, which means you can help from home.

They are also requesting blood donations from survivors of COVID-19. Healthcare providers want to study the antibodies that helped them recover in the race towards a cure for other COVID-19 victims.

Despite the millions of Americans who have lost their jobs, there is still much work to be done, and people around the world need you. What has been shown in times past is that one of the most effective tools during a time of crisis is a helping hand.