I recently found some old newspaper articles from when some friends and I raised money for a baby with disabilities. My mom had sent the family some baby clothes, and I took notice and wanted to help. My friends and I hosted a bake sale and a garage sale in support of the child. Local stores took notice and donated items. The newspapers shared our cause and strangers went out of their way to support our efforts. In the end, we raised close to $300, which was a lot in 1982.
I have posted before about my nonprofit origin story, which I thought had started when I began volunteering at the age of 20. Reading these clippings, however, made me think about service in a different light. While I wasn’t raising money for an established organization, I was certainly contributing to my community and inspiring others to do the same, which is what mission-based work is all about.
Here are a few more takeaways from my treasure trove of childhood memorabilia:
⭐Community-based activity is familial. It’s a value that is passed from one generation to another. Involve your kids in service now so it becomes a routine part of their lifestyle as an adult.
⭐Service doesn’t have to happen in a formal, structured, or organized way. A grassroots or individual effort can still have a profound, rippling effect.
⭐As Young Jill said in the article, “People are good.” We work in a sector that relies on good people for its sustainability. It’s often difficult work but remember these words. People ARE good and they’ll support you when you need it.
It was refreshing to contemplate my natural interest in service and community as a kid, and how they provided a solid foundation for my work today. Thanks, Mom, for making that initial donation and sparking a life-long passion.
What do you do to inspire service among the youth in your life?
#Nonprofit #NonprofitLeadership #Service #Community #Volunteer
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