Joy, Love, Happiness Uploaded on September 4, 2007 by Gare and Kitty
I’ve been tagged by Jean Browman to write a post about caring, compassion and charity. I love the idea of sharing what we are passionate about, especially when it comes to helping others.
There are so many fabulous charities out there it’s really hard to choose just one or two. So I have to focus on those that have special meaning to me. My first choice is United Way’s Big Brothers Big Sisters program. I don’t have many special skills, but I do have time, and a love for children. For about 4 years I was a volunteer with my local BBBS in Florida.
Through this program I met a wonderful young girl and her family. It’s a wonderful feeling to be able to help mentor and expand a young mind. Together you can explore your local museums, try new foods, or try a new craft or skill. There’s very little expense and when your little “brother or sister” smiles, thanks you, or gives you a hug for simply spending time with them, your heart will melt like mine did.
My second choice for worthy charity is your local animal shelter or SPCA. I volunteered with one for a short period of only a few months, and yet the experience has stayed with me ever since. I love all pets, but I have a special fondness for dogs. Their cuddly fuzzy bodies, wagging tails and sad eyes pull me in every time. The way they can share their love with everyone they meet is inspiring and touching. Many of them were abused, and all were neglected, yet they still wagged their tales and trust people.
By doing simple things like walking the dogs, or bathing and feeding them, I was able to help provide some of their basic care. I’ve learned a lot since my first time, and I’d love to help with their #1 issue – socialization. So many of the dogs are simply unfamiliar with the leash, and don’t know how to interact with other dogs or people. They jump, bark, and sometimes knock you over in their excitement. Simply working with one or two dogs a week could make a serious difference in their behavior and help find them a permanent home.
Finally, the last charity or organization would be your local library. Although I personally haven’t yet volunteered there, I try to support them in little ways. I go to the library weekly for books, movies, music and surfing the Internet. I participate in their fundraising efforts, use their online resources, and encourage others to read more and remind them of all that the library offers.
Ben Franklin is one of my heroes for being one of the main founders of public libraries. I find it fascinating that some people have never been to a library in their lives. Never picked up a book just for the fun of it, never browsed the magazines, or read a comic book. Libraries aren’t dull or boring unless you let them be. Read a cartoon book like Garfield or Calvin & Hobbes. Cruise the Internet and chat with your friends. Take home some music or a movie you’ve never seen. Support this wonderful organization in whatever way best suits you.
Whatever you love, find a way to pursue it. Lead a do-it-yourself dance at a nearby nursing home, clown around with children in the hospital, walk a dog or help feed the hungry. If you don’t know where to start many big cities have 211 or 311 numbers and online databases to help match your skills with charities that need your help.
Check out where this wonderful idea originated with Alex Shalman’s wonderful post.
I tag Jarkko Laine and Ravi Vora.
Thanks for this post… you really did brighten up my day. Now THAT is a special skill 😉
Great post! I love your choices. I’ve done/am doing all three. I was a Big Sister to a couple of girls years ago, and I donate all my used books to the local Friends of the Library bookstore. I love to buy books, and I don’t feel guilty about it because as soon as I read them I recycle them for the benefit of the library.
The local Friends of the Shelter, of course, is my great love. And I agree about socializing the dogs. I don’t have time to go over every day right now, but there have been times I’ve gone over every day for months teaching dogs how to behave with people. They care so much that it’s worth the time to teach them. It still warms my heart to think of them, safely enjoying good homes now. They have such wonderful smiles.
Again, thanks for the heart-warming post. It’s neat that we have so much in common.
Jean,
It makes me smile to know we have so much in common! I’m so glad you stop by and read my blog, and hope my readers will visit yours as well. They are full of wisdom, insight and good cheer. The best part of this blog is making friends like you.
I’ve been tagged! Alrighty, I can do that.
I love this idea of tagging and having a viral topic for bloggers. I will get on this soon and will contribute to this movement!
This IS the way to lessen the injuries the world and we ourselves “fit-In”. There doesn’t seem to be any more important precedent for real love and compassion in human life than investment. If you want it you can, with a little (okay, sometimes a lot) of deliberation, have everything needed to proclaim, It’s a wonderful life. Where were all you guys about 50 years ago? I was being advised that “Do as say, not as I do” was the way to live stress free. I have raised my daughter and grandson to take it by the horns, but not get hurt by sarcasm, cynicism and apathy. More cornball stuff like this. Another way I try to help is to recycle all movies, books, games and stuff, to children’s day care centers and even the poor souls selling things on the street for whatever they can get.
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Thanks for participating in this week’s All women blogging carnival.
I can’t imagine not having public libraries. I’ve said, and even blogged about how addicted I am to reading. I’ve noticed with the internet, and internet access being available in libraries the ones I go to here are a lot busier. HOpefully these people don’t just use the internet, but borrow books too.