"I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver."--Maya Angelou

What a profound quote by a modern day Sage. You and I, part of this wonderful community of Olivia, have a support system, namely each other.  We are here to meet new people, talk about our lives and use the tools that have been created for this community to better our lives.  We can make a difference with each other just within the "virtual" walls of this safe place.  I count myself blessed that I/we have this haven.  Many people are not so fortunate.

I wake up every day looking for ways to effect change and I have come to realize that everyone can make a difference on her or his own, but it is when we work with other people, that we create an even greater impact.

By working with other people, I am talking about supporting the local charities and non-profits in our home towns.  I am talking about the grass roots efforts to make life better for many people, whether it be for social change or for welfare or for health.

As a Board Member of a non-profit in AZ, we often come up against that glass ceiling of giving.  Obviously, money is important to keep the doors open, but there are other ways to help besides just handing over a check.  How can I help make a difference?  Here are some tips:

Time: Look in the local magazine for organizations and call to see if they need volunteers.  Ask some of your local community leaders organization if they know of any organizations that can use your efforts.  If you run out of options, then ">VolunteerMatch  is a great place to start looking for a volunteer opportunity.

Money: Even $10.00 or more helps keeps the doors open.  What about becoming a member in the organization?  What about your business services?  Can you offer it to the organization at cost?  Can you donate something for their silent auctions?  If you want to search by issue for a cause to support, Network for Good and Global Giving are two places to start. Think about changing your will and leaving part of your estate to a cause that is important to you and your family.

Skills: http://www.score.org/index.html   Mentor someone, help the organization with your skills, sit on the board, help plan events that will benefit the charity, use your talents to help foster change in any way.

Things: If you have high end items, donate them to the charity or find a consignment store and list your charity as the owner of the items.  They will be able to turn things into cash.  If you only have small items, ask your local organization if there is a family in need or if they have a place that could your items. If all else fails, bring them to Goodwill or public library near you to donate clothes and books.

Giving doesn't have to be through an organization or institution. Small acts of kindness count too.  This can be as simple as buying someone a coffee, buying a breakfast for a board meeting, giving a gift, or bringing a meal to someone in need.  It is about learning to keep our eyes open to opportunity and our hearts open to the concept of giving in all its forms.

Most of all, giving is good for us.  In December 2007, the New York Sun article, Why Giving Makes You Happy reported that: "According to the Social Capital Community Benchmark Survey, a survey of 30,000 American households, people who gave money to charity in 2000 were 43% more likely than non-givers to say they were 'very happy' about their lives. Similarly, volunteers were 42% more likely to be very happy than non-volunteers. It didn't matter whether gifts of money and time went to churches or symphony orchestras — givers to all types of religious and secular causes were far happier than non-givers."

Each one of us have the opportunity to create a legacy of who we were as we lived, I want to be known as someone who cared and who made a difference in my community, what do you want to be known for?