“Volunteers don’t necessarily have the time, they just have the heart.”~ Elizabeth Andrew.
Most of us have at least some first hand experience of volunteering. Whether it’s the steam and heat of a soupline or tutoring cute, infuriating kids, we’ve felt what it means to give. As the quote above shows, volunteering is a matter of heart – something deep in you that feels called to do something beyond time constraints or financial gain. Most of the pillars of our society weren’t built by political maneuvering or economic exchanges, they were built by men and women giving of their time and energy for a cause they believed in.
I’ve enjoyed volunteering with Angel Flight West for many years, which gives me a chance to blend my two passions of flying and helping people. This has done my heart good, flying those in financial and medical need to connect them with the right resources.
Years ago, I was able to fly an 11 year old girl from Spokane to Seattle for her kidney transplant preparation at Children’s Hospital. Then several months later, I reunited with her on a similar flight from Spokane to Seattle for a follow-up medical check on her new kidney. These are the kind of connections you never forget.
In our upcoming blog “Celebrate by Giving This Year,” we will discuss ways to give financially during the holiday season (check back in early December!). In this post, we’ll look at some local places where you can enjoy the rich opportunity of volunteering, of changing the world in some small way.
Think Global, Act Local
For so many of us, we’d rather give of our money than our time. Time is harder to come by, and you can’t earn more of it – only twenty four hours in a day. But you don’t have to cross the world to find a place to give from your heart, there are several places to volunteer right here in Seattle/Edmonds area.
A few places to volunteer in the Seattle/Edmonds area:
- Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8870 – Aaron, a veteran himself, has volunteered at this local VFW for many years. “I love to help and speak for those who defended our freedom,” he says of the experience.
- Edmonds Daybreakers Foundation (Rotary) – Edmonds Jazz Connection – I’ve volunteered at this event for years. Students from our area who are nationally recognized and award-winning for their talents, give us an all-day event of jazz to benefit local music education departments.
- Holly House
- Clothes for Kids
- Edmonds Food Bank
- Edmonds Boys and Girls Club
- Christmas House
Aggregate sites like the City of Edmonds volunteer site can give you access to several opportunities, as well as checking in with your church, synagogue or mosque for options in your faith community.
Celebrate Giving
Volunteering is a great way to add meaning and purpose to your life – to get in touch with your heart and the hearts of others. During this holiday season, giving time and energy – as well as giving thanks – is one of the best ways to celebrate.
It’s also important to your financial health. Knowing what you value most can help you decide what kind of institution and charitable endeavour you want to support, and which you don’t. Are environmental causes important to you? The arts? Creating jobs for the poor? Knowing what’s important to you on the heart-level will help you know how to spend your time as well as your money.
At TFS Advisors, we know that your financial portfolio starts with knowing you. We are serious about your money, excited about your life, and want to know what makes you tick so we can help you reflect that in your financial decisions. If you want to talk about how giving back can fit into a well-rounded life plan, give us a call.
