We launched VolunteerSpot with the mission of making it easy for anyone to coordiante volunteers, giving more people the power to make a difference in their local communities. We're very please to share a new website that makes it easy for anyone to be a citizen philanthropist and make a difference to people in need around the world. Please welcome guest blogger Dan Morrison, CEO of Citizen Effect.
***
It is hard to believe that the holidays are here. Everyone filled themselves on turkey and are now hitting the shopping mall and jumping online to find the perfect gifts for the their loved ones. I think back to the best gifts I ever got (Mark Gonzales Skateboard from mom when I was 13) and the best gifts I ever gave (first edition Charles Dickens Tale of Two Cities for mom... she cried). However, my most memorable holidays involved much more. Volunteering to deliver Christmas presents to kids in need. Serving food to the homeless. And spending quality time with family while doing something for the community. Those experiences and memories stuck with me, while the skateboards and sweaters just drifted away.
The best holiday was In 2006, I asked my friends and family to come together and raise $5,000 to build a well for a poor community in India. I was shocked when they started sending me $500 checks! I even got one from my high school English teacher! In January, we sent over the money and by June, the well was complete. 550 people has access to clean drinking water. But what shocked us all was the impact the well had on the community. Women were starting businesses. Before they were walking 4 hours for water, but now they had more time. One woman started a grocery store, another a flour mill. We were all forever connected to this project and community.
So this holiday season, Citizen Effect (www.citizeneffect.org) is helping families and friends come together to partner with a community in need to build small but life-changing projects. Families are funding childcare centers that improve a child's mental and physical development and allow mothers to work. They are building health clinics that reduce disease, biogas plants that provide clean cooking gas, and solar lighting that bring light to those without electricity.I applaud all the tremendous good work you do in your own communities through VolunteerSpot and invite you to engage your friends and family to make an additional global impact this holiday season. We’ve made it easy!
Go to www.citizeneffect.org/projects and find a project you and your family believe in. Then the fun starts! Choose how you want to raise the money for the project. Here are some great ideas people are trying:
- Family Gift – determine what you spend on gifts for the family and have everyone contribute that amount to the project.
- Holiday Party – invite your friends and family over for some holiday cheer and rather than bringing a fruitcake, bring a donation
- Holiday Cards – have a party, make holiday cards, and sell them at your school, place of worship or farmers market
- Caroling – go caroling and collect donations
Join Citizen Effect in creating global good this holiday season. Choose your family project at www.citizeneffect.org/projects.
Happy Holidays!
Dan Morrison CEO, Citizen Effect
www.CitizenEffect.org
Comments