Giving Back
Many of us have this misconception that giving back means donating large sums of money to a certain charitable organization. This is not true. I would argue that helping anyone in need of assistance is ‘giving back’.
Benefits of giving back
First things first, you should not give back if you want something in return because that is not giving back but is actually just a transaction. You should help others with no intention of getting anything in return.
That being said giving back helps you understand your community and the challenges it faces. It may even help you strengthen your relationship with people in your local area. Other than that helping people who are underprivileged will help improve the quality of life of people in your community.
Volunteering and giving back also improves your mental and physical health, gives you satisfaction, and also improves your mindset.
Personal Experience
I volunteer as a Red Cross duty officer for my local area, which means I take 2-4 hour shifts every week where I document and organize relief for house fires. Whenever a house fire is reported I call/seek out close-by Red Cross responders and give them the case information. I communicate with the client and dispatch the Red Cross responders to meet with the client. The responders ask about their needs like money, shelter, food, medicine, clothes, etc. Then I document the services needed on the Red Cross computer systems and send out a request for those services. My volunteering is virtual. My task consists of communicating with the client (moral support), directing the volunteer responders to the site, and documenting the whole process on Red Cross computer systems.
If you are looking to volunteer in your local area, click here
One thing I have come across through this opportunity is that the elderly are actually more involved in volunteering than the youth. When I communicate with American Red Cross responders and Duty Officers it’s mostly senior folks or the elderly. The sad realization I had was that people only think of doing good or giving back when they grow older. I believe volunteering while you are young is good and should be encouraged. Just like investing, start young and then keep doing it throughout your life.
Conclusion:
My only wish is that if you are an able-bodied teenager or young adult and have some free time on your hands try volunteering at your local soup kitchen or even at the red cross, maybe plant some trees, or try creating awareness about drugs in poverty-stricken areas. It’s a lot easier for you to help when you are young than when you are older. Also if you start volunteering or helping out when you are young you will develop important communication skills and also understand your community better at a younger age. It will also teach you humility and how to handle responsibility. Believe me, even the smallest help goes a long way.
All the volunteers and people out there doing community service and helping out, I am proud of you, and keep doing what you are doing. Your selfless work will make this world a better place.
“It’s not how much we give, but how much we put into giving.”
Mother Teresa
On to the next.
-Akash Gaonkar-
