Time, Talent, and Treasure - Why I Give

The Act of giving.

You may be familiar with the phrase, 'giving your time, talent, and treasure'.  Essentially, it means helping others in some meaningful way.  Whether you have money, a skill, or something else to offer, you can share it with those in need.  While financial contributions are always valuable, they are not the only way to make a difference.

After graduation, I moved to D.C. in search of a job. With no friends locally and little money, I had plenty of time on my hands.  I don’t remember how I found them, but I joined a volunteer organization called DC Cares.  Though no longer in existence, this group offered one day opportunities to get out and help local communities with projects.  Each weekend, I would do something different to help people in my new city.

One weekend, I spread mulch and cleaned up a dilapidated playground alongside local parents.  On another weekend, I picked up trash along the Anacostia River.

Volunteers cleaning a beach.

At the Anacostia event, I received a hands-on lesson in the importance of properly disposing of trash.  We cleared thousands of pounds of trash from the river, including medical supplies, car tires, cans, so many plastics, and even an old refrigerator!

Other weekends I took children to the zoo, painted a school, and helped do light rehab of a senior center.

The reward for me was the feeling that, while I didn’t have any disposable income to share, I was still able to help others.  As an environmentalist, the river cleanup was particularly meaningful; the thought of all that debris harming aquatic life and preventing kids from safely swimming made the effort a no-brainer.

Today, I not only donate money to organizations, but also share my reasons for giving with my friends.  Additionally, I volunteer for several other groups in various ways.  For instance, I love animals and walk shelter dogs in Michigan at the Little Traverse Bay Humane Society in Harbor Springs. 

Walking shelter dogs.

Throughout the year, I also work as a representative for Welsh Terrier Cares, rehoming dogs in need, and I sit on the Board of an organization called Horton’s Kids in D.C., among others.

The benefits of giving back go beyond the knowledge that I am assisting others.  My emotions also soar after each encounter.  When I was a young college grad, I would come back to my apartment and eat rice and beans, with only one light on to save money. But I felt so good inside knowing I had been of use.  Today, I smile when I know a dog is safe, or that I aided in securing funding to help children learning to read.

Beyond volunteering and giving to non-profits you can give to others just to make them smile. I remember well an example of this type of giving. One night, we were eating at a restaurant, and my husband saw a young couple having dinner.  He quietly told the server we would pay for their meal right before we left. 

The couple never knew we were doing this, but we both held hands tightly and smiled as we walked out the door. 

Doing something positive for someone else, with no recognition other than a thank you, is very powerful.  It takes the me out of the act, and fully places the focus on the other or the we. 

Today, it seems that many people of all ages think about the me more than the we, or the other.  I realize that this is a generalization, but when I look at social media it appears to be skewed as me-centric.

My Challenge To You

Take a moment to think.   When was the last time you gave back your time, talent or treasure without being asked to?  Was it in the past week or month?  How did it make you feel?

If it’s been a while since you helped someone or gave back without being asked, what’s stopping you? Remember, money is not the only way to help.

My challenge to you is this:  Over the next seven days do something for someone else without being asked. Here are some simple suggestions:

• helping to stock a local food pantry

• helping an elderly or homebound neighbor with yard work or groceries

• picking up sidewalk trash instead of walking past it

• holding a door for someone struggling

• acknowledging a homeless person with a smile and a simple greeting

• visiting an animal shelter and playing with kittens or walking dogs

Feel free to let me know what you did and how it felt.

Have a great week!