Last week I had the privilege of taking an awesome tour at Goodwill Industries of Central Texas. I’ve been doing leadership development work there for the past couple of years, but this was my first time to take the Real Goodwill tour.
We got to learn about the incredibly cool computer museum, all of the things Goodwill does to put people to work in our community (over 1,600 people every year), and most touching, we heard success stories from the very people Goodwill serves in our community (over 2,287 people with a disability and 11,771 people with a disadvantaged condition in 2010 alone).
Whether you give back by donating time, resources, or energy, and regardless of the cause, it is so important to give back. My husband Jay has been serving Meals on Wheels for over ten years, and I am actively involved with NAMI and several other Austin non-profits.
If you are reading this post right now, you are incredibly blessed. You have electricity, sight, and literacy, not to mention incredibly good taste in writing 😉
Making the time to give back is so important. Your contribution may be small, the impacts are endless.
Not to mention, it’s good Karma! Be good to one another.
Great post Anne!!
We’re due for lunch soon.
Margie
Thanks, Margie! Let me know when you’re available! Would love to catch up 🙂
There is national Christian radio station called K-Love that promotes “Make a Difference Mondays” where they encourage people to do something small to make a difference in just one person’s life that day. It can be as simple as paying for the person’s coffee in line behind you or even letting someone in front of you in line at the grocery store… The idea is that simple acts of kindness can go a long way… But we get so busy, that we really need to be deliberate about doing these things on a regular basis. Thanks for this reminder (especially since I hadn’t even had time to turn on my radio yet today). 🙂
Hi Michelle,
What a cool idea…kind of like the movie Pay It Forward (I love that movie, but it always makes me cry). I think I’ll be buying someone coffee today 🙂
Hi Anne! 🙂 Great article! You are an inspiration! 😀
Thanks so much, Juanita! Have a fantastic Monday!
This was the topic of my Monday morning staff meeting! I work for a fraternal financial organization (Modern Woodmen) and I can’t tell you how impactful it has been in my life, that part of my job is to give back. So, how lucky am I that I get to put my passion of giving back and volunteerism into my day to day work activities. Serving in the communities where I live and work is amazing!
Hi Wendy,
That is fantastic! I remember meeting you at the chamber lunch 🙂 Thanks for doing so much to give back!
Warning-shameless plug, but applicable nonetheless. 🙂
I work for an organization that partners with schools to teach students about philanthropy and how to use their own time, talent and treasure to improve their communities and world. I cannot articulate how much I am humbled by being a part of this process. It is my personal hope to teach kindness, compassion and how to have a giving heart to every member of our next generation. They are full of promise and potential for great things! Do not waste the opportunity to encourage them in this quest for ‘more’. If interested, you are welcome to google A Legacy of Giving to get more acquainted.
I am grateful for your weekly intervention in my life and for the encouragement you provide through candor, humor and love.
Thanks so much, Paula. Everyone needs a shameless plug now and then. Sounds like you’re doing amazing things. Thanks for sharing, and I’ll definitely check out A Legacy of Giving!