Sep 28 2008
Giving: The American Thing To Do
Something a little different today…We almost always write here about the state of politics and the implications of a Democrat leadership and how that would take away all responsibility for people to be self reliant and independent. Under the Democrats, the old fashioned tenet of giving will become extinct. I cannot stand the thought of it. Yet I see most people, even on my side of the political spectrum, giving less and less, and pushing this tenet towards it’s extinction.
As a Conservative who speaks often of my disdain for government welfare and other assistance programs, I realize there are alternatives. These start with US. You and me. People reaching out to others or answering a call for assistance. It used to be that a community would rally around those who were hard up, or hurt, or in need of things; the community’s citizens would offer help in many ways. They took care of their own and didn’t have a government to rely upon.
Some people like to donate money to causes they believe in; it feels good to write that check as we sit at the poolside sipping wine at the country club.
Others prefer to get involved in a more hands on manner. Sitting next to an old person in a nursing home, talking about the good ole’ days feels good too. It is a wonderful thing to see how your time and effort makes another person’s life more interesting and worth living.
I prefer giving of my time as well as my money.
Most people LIKE to help others and it’s time we all consider this in our daily lives.
I believe no matter how little you have, you can always find something to spare and give up- either in cash or material items. The saying is true: One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.
Volunteering is a good thing. Yeah, I know we’re all busy. And our time is precious. We have careers and family and chores and errands and country club memberships we must tend to.. And we have educations we should be putting to better use. Whatever…some day each of us could find that we’re in a position of needing HELP. Money is needed from our checks and credit cards donations; but nothing substitutes TIME. If I can find it, anyone can.
Some ways to give back to our communities will include making sacrifices in time and effort.
Look at the local town or city you live in. What do you see?
Are there homeless people?
Or maybe the roads are littered with trash.
Perhaps a neighbor is physically unable to mow their lawn or paint their house.
Do you have a co worker who is going thru a rough time financially?
Can you find a way to help?
Look at the stuff you own, that you’re thinking of replacing or trashing:
Clean out the attic or basement and donate used items. Your old furniture is someone else’s new furniture- give it all away to a needy family.
The kids outgrow the clothes faster than the seasons change; find the Salvation Army clothes bins before the dumpster.
Have the kids clean up toys they no longer play with; donate them to a day care center.
Donate your books and magazines to a local hospital or nursing home. Same with DVD’s and old videos.
Other ways to help people:
Adopting a Family
When my kids were young, I decided a good way to teach them about giving was to actually LIVE it. We adopted a family less fortunate than ours; this adoption meant a few things to us:
Every week when we did our grocery shopping, we would purchase some extra foodstuffs and bag it up. After four weeks, we had 4 or 5 bags of groceries we would deliver to our adopted family- which wasn’t enough to feed them totally, but enough to cut down on their costs so they could pay their rent. For a few dollars every week, we helped keep a roof over their head.
When school started in the fall, we made sure they had plenty of school supplies - via a couple trips to a local Dollar Store. For the holidays, we offered the family a free tank of gas (so they could travel to a relatives’ home for Thanksgiving meal) or a stuffed, cooked turkey.
At Christmas, we planned ahead of time and budgeted money to buy gifts. We decided that this holiday was all for the kids- and instead of getting them things THEY needed, we got them things that made being a kid fun. TOYS. One year it was Legos and Lincoln Logs and Lite Brite.
Another year it was dolls and a race car set and the entire collection of Baby Sitter Club books. I asked my kids to decide what to purchase since they were the experts on popular toys and books of the time.
Elderly People
Elderly people can stay in their homes if more people assisted them with basic errands. Like driving them to doctor appts, or to the food store or for other errands. In my town there are several apartment complexes that house elderly folks. It’s pretty easy to put up a notice offering some help with errands and the response is always overwhelming. This is a worthy gift, but best done with a group of friends.
One thing some older people REALLY like to do is HELP. But they lack the ability to get to places that need help. SO, to fix this gap, I have driven them to the town library so they can lead a story telling hour for local kids; or to the soup kitchens where they can bake and cook; some like to volunteer at the schools or medical centers. All they need is a ride. A little giving of my time turns into a lot of giving for so many others. The domino effect at work.
Visit a nursing home. Befriend a lonely person who has few visitors. Take it from me- this is one of the most valuable things anyone can do. People who reside in nursing homes are shut out from the world; they have little exposure to what once used to be THEIR world. They are often depressed and sad. A visit a couple times a week can mend this, and do bring your kids if you have them. Bring in magazines or news papers; join them for a meal; make arrangements to take them out of the facility on holidays…get to know them and become a friend.
Some ways to volunteer:
Join a local community club such as The Lions
Become a Big Brother or Sister
Consider becoming an EMT.
Volunteer at a local YMCA.
…and so on.
Giving of one’s time, money and personal belongings is GOOD. It helps society. It lessons the need for big government. And it’s within the scope of every single person to do. I know some pretty poor people who manage to give some of their time for volunteer efforts. Paul Newman was an example of a very wealthy person who spent great deals of his time trying to help others. Most of us are in between- and I’m pretty sure we can all find A WAY to GIVE.
It’s the American thing to do.
8 Responses to “Giving: The American Thing To Do”
Excellent piece, Raven - sometimes people see so much need that they forget that you need to start with something near to you and simple. You may not be able to do much to “save the starving children in Africa,” but you can certainly offer a neighbor a kind hand.
Guess what was in my RSS reader just in front of this post? A quote from the Bible on another blog: Proverbs 12:10b “The compassion of the wicked is cruel.” Not sure which translation, but the New King James renders the whole verse as “A righteous man regards the life of his animal,/But the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.”
So, in context, this refers to how one treats poor, dumb creatures who can’t talk and protest… But, it certainly can be applied to our day and age in regard to all sorts of government “assistance,” don’t you think?
This is a really good post, thank you. I have been discouraged of late of so much rhetoric about how the communities and families should be helping “their own” and not force needy people onto the taxpayers. Yet I have observed in my own family (and my hubby’s family) that those parents, brothers, and sisters that are in the financial position to lend a helping hand to those in need are the least likely to do that. They are wealthy beyond imagination, and yet they hold onto every penny as if it were their last and steadfastly refuse to help out those in the family that have fallen on hard times through no fault of their own. It is a sad example of why we NEED social services, because darn few people have any generousity in their hearts anymore.
I partipate in a program called “Kids and Chemistry”. Volunteers from where I work go to elementary schools and guide 5th graders in doing some simple experiments. They really enjoy seeing Elmer’s glue turn into putty, or black ink from a pen turn into a rainbow of colors, to give two examples.
[...] at And Rightly So equates giving with being American. I [...]
Kat, many people claim they shouldn’t have to give because they pay enough taxes…that the government should give more because of it.
I firmly believe everyone can volunteer their time, even an hour a week, to a cause that will end with good outcomes.
Julie, I do think your blog is a splog and that you’re actually not a person. Let this be a test.
Since you see what I see, what have you done to help others, to lessen the need for social program dependence? Do you give your time? Money gift is all well and good, but this post is about time. Wealthy people are the worst when it comes to being good people; when it comes to truly helping others in need.
I want to hear that you’re part of the solution and not the problem. Sadly, I don’t think I’ll hear that.
BF, that is awesome. And so important. Kids need adult mentors and role models now more than ever. I have a friend who is a CLASS MOM and she volunteers all her time in this. I think she spends three hours each week at the school- could be more- to do similar things. She loves it and the kids love it as well.
Another friend helps run an after-school program in Boston- a risky task at best. The program is free and is managed by all volunteers…they use school space which they are charged for so fund-raising is an important part of it. They have managed to get kids to the pools and tennis courts and museums and the like…it is better than hanging out on the streets.
One thing I like to do is give to my church, and volunteer with the programs that they have. My church has a “pantry” where those less fortunate can get foodstuffs. I know my church also has counseling and job training programs as well.
Another great charity, of which both my children have gone to for diagnosis and treatment, is Texas Scottish Rite Children’s Hospital, a Masonic charity. No one who goes for treatment there, and I mean NO ONE, has to pay. And they have the leading edge treatment, state of the art, and some of the best doctors. And then compare that with the treatment our veterans receive at the VA Hospitals. Once again, the private sector, even charities, do a better job of taking care of patients….