RebeccaDutcher.com

Year End, Focus on Giving

Or on what you’ve already given?

It’s the end of 2011, the final hours as so many eagerly await 2012. Have you seen the news updates that this is one of the biggest times of the year for Goodwill, when they get so many of their donations? And this is also one of the biggest times for all no-profits, for some more than half of their fundraising is done between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve.

Photo credit zirconicusso

Why don’t we give more during the year? Why are we compelled to give only at the end of the year? What difference could we make if we gave all year long?

This got me to thinking about the ways that I have made a difference, our team at Mindscape has made a difference, and plans to continue giving all through the New Year.

• I am a Big Sister, have been for 5 years now. My “little sister” was in 7th grade when we met, now she’s a high school junior.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters led me to be a part of their Bowl For Kids Sale Steering Committee for the county I live in. Fundraising, sponsors and teams are in my sights now.
• Speaking and sharing knowledge with others. I’ve taught classes at GROW or Grand Rapids Opportunities for Women about building a website, how to market your website, and other things about SEO/SEM and local search.
• Our Mindscape team as served dinner at Ronald McDonald House of Western Michigan. Get 10 or so of us in a kitchen and it’s bound to be a good time.
• Leaders on our team are on boards and committees at local non-profits including Family Promise.
• We adopted more than 3 families for the holidays, providing gifts and necessities to families in our communities.
• Others gave to teens at St. John’s Home. Teens are are often overlooked for holiday gifts, toys are easier to give to little kids. Just showing that you’re thinking of them can make a huge difference in their lives.
• Charging “admission”. We have classes and groups who visit our company and want to hear from our leaders about running a business, how to get into business and work for a company like ours. We’re happy to share, and ask for donations of a selected non-profits wish list as the price of admission.
• Collected money for a team member in need. We had a teammate fall on hard times and were able to help them get back on their feet.
• Pass it Forward, A Day of Giving with GRCC. Several folks on our team were a part of this day with GRCC staff and students where we spent a cold, snowy Saturday going around Grand Rapids to do good deeds, give out hugs, hot coffee, help out at organizations, buy lunch and pass it forward.

These are a few of the ways that my family, my team at Mindscape and I have given back to our communities throughout 2011. Some is financial, some is our time, and some is sharing our knowledge with others who can benefit from our experience. Bottom line is, we all have something to give, every day of the year. What are your plans to make a difference in 2012?