Feeling the Winter Doldrums? Consider Giving to Charity

If you are feeling a bit blue this winter season, then you might want to consider volunteering. While many go into projects firmly believing that they are giving to the community, many soon discover that the community blesses them more than they could ever give away. Here are some of the ways that you may want to volunteer.

Share a Talent

There are many ways that you can share a talent that you have with your community. For example, despite being confined to a hospital bed and on Hospice, 91-year-old Morrie Boogart has knitted over 8,000 caps to give away to the homeless. Others, choose to work in a soup kitchen sharing their cooking and baking skills. If you are a musician, then you might think about sharing your musical talents through an organization like Sing For Hope that teaches music in New York City's inner-city schools.

Donate Goods

Almost everyone has things of value that they can donate. For example, when Bertis Downs who was the lawyer for rock band R.E.M. discovered that his taste in wine had changed, he worked with a middleman to sell over $150,000 of red wine. The money was put in a trust where he and his wife Karen could dole it out to their favorite charities. Even if you do not have a collection that is worth that much money, most people can gather things around their homes and give it to their favorite charity or to someone in need.

Give Money

One of the easiest ways to help your favorite charity is to give them a cash donation. For example, in 2017, Jon Huntsman Sr., Suleiman bin Abdul Aziz Al Rajhi, and Charles Francis Feeney have given away so much that they are no longer billionaires. Even if you do are not a billionaire, most people can give away a little to help those around them.

Whether you choose to sing a song of hope, give away your material goods or donate cash, consider brightening someone else's day. You may discover that your own day is much brighter when you give a piece of yourself away.

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