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When we hear the word “charity” and especially giving to charity we often think of people wanting to give back to their communities. Sometimes because of the blessings they’ve received, other times because they just know it’s the right thing to do.
Opportunities
Today, the opportunities to give to others have multiplied tremendously, everything from giving money to a cause (like to pay for a well to be dug in Africa) to giving our time volunteering for a local organization.
Actually, many local groups doing really good work just couldn’t function without those unseen heroes who give their time and money in some form of community service to keep the organization running.
Variety
Homeless shelters are an immediate thought, how many people would be literally fending for themselves without them? or the local Hospice, how would they cope without the local volunteers who spend time with the residents and help them deal with the obstacles they face? Another one we see is the local animal shelter. We get our pets from there. Yet without the volunteers they wouldn’t exist!
Payback
One of the things that we don’t really think about is the payback that volunteers get. Yes there is a payback, it’s just not financial, and often they aren’t really seen, but it never goes unnoticed.
Think of the joy of the family that couldn’t afford a house when they open the door to the new house built for them by a local group. Or the joy on a kids face hugging that puppy from the shelter. And it was all because somebody decided to give back.
