Giving Back

Donating money is probably the first thing that pops in your mind when thinking of charity. And although most of us would love to give to help a good cause, the money is not always there. Over the last couple of years, I have discovered that time given is just as valuable as money. There are numerous places that are always looking for volunteers. The Salvation Army soup kitchen, for example, is always looking for help preparing and serving meals (especially at dinner). There are countless people depending on the Salvation Army and you could be the one to feed a starving child just by donating a few hours of your time. Habitat for Humanity is another important organization. It is intimidating to picture yourself “building” a house, but with a bit of instruction and a little perseverance, you could be the one to give a family their first home. Locks of Love is a special charity to me because I was able to share the experience with my daughter. Supporting Locks of Love takes nothing but your own generosity. You could be the one to give a little girl her self-esteem back.


This year Disney is attempting to open our eyes to the world of volunteering. As if volunteering wasn’t a big enough reward, now Disney is offering a free day at the park for anyone giving a day to one of their chosen charities. If you go their website, http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/disneyparks/en_US/WhatWillYouCelebrate/index?name=Give-A-Day-Get-A-Disney-Day , you can search for local participating charities. If there are none close to you, consider making a blanket for Project Linus. Most chapters are willing to accept mailed in blankets as long as comply with their chapter’s regulations.


If you have any questions about the charities listed above, please feel free to ask. I also am supporting Relay for Life. If you would like to make a donation or help raise funds, please email me at betweenthelines-kam@hotmail.com.


Happy Volunteering!