Get Involved! Volunteer! This administration’s determination to address recession fallout spans beyond the reach of bail out dollars, and into old fashioned barn-raising, with a passionate call to service. The <strong>United We Serve</strong> campaign challenges all Americans to make a difference by doing "good" in their communities for 81 days, from June 22 — September 11 and beyond.
Make Volunteerism and community service part of your daily life, and part of the life of this nation," invites President Obama, "And I mean everyone."
It sounds good, right? But wait! I can hear the excuses buzzing already: "Well, umm, ahh, you know, the new episodes of WipeOut are coming on, work is so busy, summer is hectic, and money is tight – I just can’t get involved." Sound familiar? Why don’t we volunteer?
Here are some of the top reasons:
Not feeling qualified - "I don’t know what to do."
Worried you will be sucked into paying a lot of money- "I can’t afford to donate."
Afraid it will take too much time- "I am over committed right now as it is."
I have small kids and can’t get away- "My giving bone is stretched to the max."
Not knowing where to go or what cause moves you -"Soup kitchens are not my thing."
Maybe we don’t volunteer because of the WIFFM (What’s In It For Me?) factor. Here’s a reframe: does feeling happier, more contented and satisfied with your life intrigue you at all? Plenty of studies have shown those who volunteer actually have improved health, and trigger the same dopamine pleasure bath as when we eat our favorite foods or have sex with the one we love.
Yet most of us walk down the streets, lattes in hand, self-absorbed in our tweets and general activism apathy. Despite compelling evidence, I highly doubt swarms will start filling the streets with t-shirted volunteers, just because the President says we should. We have to feel a calling. We have to be pulled. Bottom line, we have to care.
Maybe Obama understands this, and created this volunteer "challenge" to get us out of the drone zone, and rolling up the proverbial sleeves. A fantastic start — are you moving yet? Obama may call it United We Serve, but I am going to put out a "Dare to Care." Come on, give your time to someone or something that needs help this summer- I dare you!
Craig Newmark (founder of Craigslist), Google, UCLA, YouTube and others have collaborated on a web site called All For Good www.allforgood.org to help Americans overcome our volunteer objections, and make it happen in a big way. If you don’t feel qualified, you will quickly see that even picking up trash counts, and any toddler would be proud to join in. Many options do not require any money, and even a small amount of time makes a huge difference. The site offers categories of potential interest, like Nature, Education and Health, with direct links to local opportunities in your neighborhood. No more excuses!
Here’s some of the WIIFY (What’s In It For You) in volunteering:
Meeting people you never would have met. Volunteering offers a vital experience of putting roots in the ground. Feeling a part of something larger than ourselves can transcend the heavy emotions of isolation and loneliness — even once a month makes a difference.
Gaining Perspective on Your Own Troubles. No matter how hard life can be, there is always someone worse off than you are. Getting out of our personal mire for a while is healthy and therapeutic.
Having Fun! A non-profit in my area recently held a gigantic tag sale to raise urgent last minute funds, as well as to put household items in the hands of those who need them. Our format was unique: nothing had price tags, and no haggling. Everything was to be taken at will, and donations given by choice. Guess what? We raised far more than we imagined, and everyone walked away feeling good about it. Was it a lot of work? Yes. The volunteers were exhausted sorting mountains of stuff, eating cold pizza for dinner, drinking wine in paper cups, and all the while laughing our heads off. Who won? We all did
If formal volunteering is not possible or of interest, does this mean you can’t "dare to care?" How a about applying the President’s challenge towards the daily with our families, friends, neighbors and co-workers? Make each day an opportunity to connect with someone in pain, lend a hand before being asked, or spread some joy in the daily doldrums.
Here’s how you can be in service every day, without joining any organization at all:
Deliver dinner to a friend or neighbor in need; even a rotisserie chicken and bread is great.
Offer to baby sit a new mom’s kids for an afternoon, and give her20 for a manicure and a Starbucks
Mail a card once a week with a heart-felt message. After all <em>no one</em> sends anything to us ‘snail mail’ any more.
I would like to attribute this last idea to Bill, a stranger who sent me a card, out of the blue, this month. I was sure it was junk mail. Inside, Bill wrote that he read a few of my columns, and told me to "keep it up – you are doing important and good work." Bill tries to send a card every single day to someone who has touched his life, and ended the card with, I know it sounds kinda goofy, but it helps me flourish and spreads gratitude."
I loved the simple idea of sending a card to a stranger. That is daring to care. That is a call to service. That is volunteering to make a difference in someone’s life. Am I someone in need? Sure, I’m human, and we all need each other.
Marilyn Mock is someone who "Dared to Care," in a big way last year, when she saw a sobbing woman about to lose her house at a foreclosure auction. Gripped by fate, something made her raise her hand, and win the bid for $30K. Marilyn then turned around, and gave the house back to the crying stranger, assuring her to repay as she could. That single act has transformed Marilyn’s life into creating a non-profit to help thousands of others called http://www.foreclosureangelfoundation.com The Foreclosure Angel Foundation.
What are the myriad ways you have "Dared to Care," and how you intend to fulfill the United We Serve challenge? I’d love to hear your comments.
Awesome & supported
Today was the first time I met the little autistic child who I'll be playing with. His parents have joined the Son-Rise programme and hope that by having us all join his world, he'll respond by wanting to engage in ours. I'm confident with excel spreadsheets and statistics but I was so nervous meeting him. I didn't feel trained enough or know what to expect but the moment he took hold of my hand to take me to his playroom, I suddenly felt every cell in my body smile.
I really admire the other volunteers who have been giving him time for the past two years.
I'm not entirely sure how I'll create my balance with work, family..and life in general but I do know that I dare to care.
Having spent more than 2 and 1/2 years out with the Red Cross after hurricane Katrina. I have found that Volunteerism and the people that do it are the salt of this earth.
Come on people. Get out there and do it.
It's as easy as handing a Smile Card to some stranger.
Get them @ http://www.helpothers.org/
Jeff Parker
><((((
Working with autistic kids and young adults for more than 20 years. I have found that just being yourself is the one thing these special kids will respond to. Talking in a soft voice draws them in and makes them listen even tough they might not seem like they are. Try not to make them, make eye contact with you. It only pusses them from wanting it.
The rest will come naturally.
Jeff Parker
><((((
wow!
What a beautiful story.
I like that you shared your nervousness- I think this is a big stumbling block for many. Taking the first step into uncharted waters of the troubled, handicapped, needy or deserving leaves many unsure of what to do, or what emotions will come up.
I am so glad you took the Dare to Care!
Kari
Thanks Jeff!
You appear to be a kind and gentle soul, and I love both the ideas you shared, with the smiling cards and some suggestions on how to work with special children.
Let's all go against the flow and
Make a difference!
Kari
Hi Kari,
I enjoyed reading your post. I live in Illinois it's difficult here in rural america. I've been frantic looking for volunteers to work on my families roof which is leaking really bad. I've been unable to find any relief.
Causecast President Ryan Scott told me about "Rebuilding Together" in our area. With 200 Affilitates in the USA helping families like mine. It's been impossible to get in touch with them. NO return phone calls, or e-mails. I called their national office to be told likely it's only in April each year. It's volunteers who get funds from the main office in Washington through a grant program. You must be a 501C Charitable Organization to apply for a grant to fix up homes for family's like mine. It's not allowed to go to a local roofer to get access to funds to pay the local roof out of the grant money it's a application proccess for only 501C groups. It's confusing.
Direct Service: http://www.intent.com/blog/2009/03/12/direct-serv…
This is what is needed in a recession. You can't count on Government programs. Our grandson is coughing really bad. We took the little guy into the doctor, and were told he's allergic to something. My wife thinks it's the building causing the problem. What can we do with no funds to make repairs, or to move into a safe home for our grandson?
I continue to ask for ideas, and pray each day I'll get a break. I read today on a blog of Christine's. All about Direct Service: How you can help someone in Need. The problem in my family's case is when your needing help it's impossible to find the help. We're 85 miles south of Chicago in Illinois.
We experienced last January 2008 one of our worse floods. I was hit with heavy rains for days, and strong winds tore off pieces of our roofing tar paper. I was told by Red Cross, FEMA, Local Church pastors. NO since you didn't have actual flood water come into your home. You don't meet our guidelines for helping Flood Victims. We've had severe damage since with continued water ruining the inside Ceilings. They now have fallen in. The drywall got wet, and fell, and now even mold had formed
in some rooms.
What do you do in America, when every where you turn "no help is available, no volunteers"? We had to sign up for food stamps to keep food in our house for us, and our grandson who's 20 months old.
http://www.intent.com/keath59/blog
I'm Seeking a safe home for my family. One in which is dry, and healthy.
Our new President Barrack Obama's Programs just don't work. The only
resource available to us was food Stamps of $668.00 monthly family of 4. I ask for volunteers to help us repair our building it's a 2 story structure with a flat roof. It's not easy access to the roof 40 feet up.
I've had so many friends on intent offering their prayers. Of which I'm grateful for those prayers. I need to find solutions to our family's roof problems.
Thank you bringing attention to such a worthy cause.
Kevin Keath
kevinkeath@sbcglobal.net
** I need volunteers in Illinois to make a difference in a family's life.
Direct Service: How you can help someone in Need.
Dear Jeff,
I just wanted to let you know that I tried the whispering technique and it worked!
He looks at me when I whisper, more so than when I'm speaking loudly to try and catch his attention. So thank you for the advice 
We encourage the eye contact but not so he is uncomfortable, just by saying things like 'oh wow I love your beautiful eyes'. I'm still learning but today we played for 2 hours and he wasn't exclusive (in his own world- wanting to be left alone) often.
S x
hi Keith
I have just come upon these comments and I am so very sorry for your situation. I will also browse around to see if there are any direct sources of support to help you.
Thank you very much for being brave enough to ask… I am sure good will come of it.
Kari