By: Tamara Stecyk
We are hounded and possibly harassed for our donation dollars. We turn the corner and there is someone asking us to donate to their cause.
Why should we even bother? Has the world’s diseases disappeared because we donated money to one of the numerous health prevention organizations? Has the politician who we donated money to for his or her campaign made an impact in our lives? Are there less people on the streets because of our donation?
Actually, yes.
All the world’s problems aren’t erased by donations or charitable giving but it does make an impact on people’s lives. I know there are hundreds and even thousands of organizations we can give our hard-earned money to. They are all shouting that they make a difference.
But you know what? It’s more about how you want to make a difference.
When I attended Royal West Academy in Montreal, we had to complete an extra-curricular program that had an option of community service. I opted out of volunteering for a community organization and spent my five years at RWA in the high school plays, which combined the community service and cultural credits.
One year a student was pointed out for her dedication to volunteering at a senior’s residence. And then that made me take notice of how she was helping the community. I have to admit that I wasn’t the one to jump up and volunteer (people who know me now would be surprised to hear this). The concept of charity, volunteering and donating stayed in the back burner until I moved to Alberta.
What triggered the notion of charity for me was when I needed it the most. In 1995, I moved to Banff with all of my hard earned savings and was having a difficult time finding a job. I was living in the youth hostel and of course, my money started depleting. My friend, Melanie, and then friends from Precipice Theatre opened their homes and kitchens to me to help keep me afloat.
Their generous gestures meant I could stay in Banff and for the first time, I started volunteering by helping with the media relations for Precipice Theatre’s production of Nature Bats Last.
When I joined the summer tour for Nature Bats Last, I was impressed by how people opened up their homes for the cast and crew. I never experienced this hospitality before. Then this impression continued once I lived in Slave Lake and began visiting Edmonton on the weekends. People who I barely knew from the Edmonton Jewish community allowed me to stay weekend after weekend in their homes so I wouldn’t be burdened with hotel costs.
So when I consider charity these days, I think of how my gesture will impact a person’s life. Whether it be through volunteering or donating money, I want to see the effect of how it made a difference.
Don’t you?
Thank to you to Tamara Stecyk for allowing this blog entry to be reposted from: http://www.communityintelligence.ca/.
Tamara is a former Montrealer who decided at 21 that Alberta was the place to set roots. After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Communication Studies from Concordia University, she packed her bags and headed to Banff. Community Intelligence is a blog that explores how communication and community intertwine.
