Giving Back to the Community

As an Event Coordinator and Social Media Manager, I am tasked with putting on big events for CBT College. One thing I have realized in my time as Event Coordinator, is that there is nothing more rewarding than giving back to your community. Here's the greatest thing about that: there are so many ways you can accomplish it! From events, charities, marathons, walks, and fundraisers to nursing home and homeless outreaches, we can truly make a difference in our community and world! Here are some great ways to get involved and give back.


1. Homeless Outreach: There are countless churches, and charitable organizations that go out there and take food and clothes to those less fortunate. You can volunteer at a soup kitchen, or join your local church's "Help the Homeless" ministry. There are various homeless shelters and organizations (Camillus House, Miami Rescue Mission, Homeless Voice, Salvation Army)that could use some volunteers. It would only take a few hours out of your Saturday afternoon. Maybe, instead of going to the beach or eating at Yardhouse one Saturday afternoon, we could all just spend a few hours helping people who need it!

2. Nursing Home Outreach: I know this one doesn't seem like a big issue, or something of importance, especially since we often don't even make the time to visit our own family. I assure you though, if you were to put yourself in the shoes of these men and women in nursing homes, you would appreciate a visit every now and then. Just a few hours one random afternoon to sit with them, hear their stories, and show them that there are still people out there that care. Again, it doesn't seem like much, but they will appreciate it more than you know.

3. Be a mentor: All across the country, there are young people making all sorts of wrong choices and falling in with the wrong type of people. One thing that you will find is that often, these kids just don't have anyone to look up to. Without a proper role model or support system in place, these kids look to anyone they see as important, and often times that person is not the right kind of role model. Volunteer at places like the YMCA, Boys and Girls Clubs, sign up for mentorship programs with the public school system. I'm not suggesting you became a social worker, or that you put yourself in a situation you don't feel comfortable with, but just that we make an effort to help the youth around us reach their potential for a good, happy, and full life. If it were your child, and you were unable to care for them and parent them, you would want them to have the right influences around them...

4. Child Care Assistance: Volunteer to bring some healthy snacks to a local day care, take part in the day care at your church or former elementary school. If you have a younger sibling at an elementary or middle school, help out with any functions and events. As I said earlier, the right influences...

5. Charities, Walks, Marathons, Relays, etc.: There is no shortage of charitable organizations. They are always having some sort of event. We all know about the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, Relay for Life, NFL Play 60, March of Dimes, and several others, but there is a myriad of other great causes. Give a few dollars to help these great causes, maybe volunteer, or sign up to take part in a marathon/walkathon.

6. Animal Shelters/Plant a Tree/Save the World: Now, I have to admit that I'm not one of these people that cries when I see the Sarah McLaughlin commercial with the sad puppies and kitties. I'm not really an animal person. I like to eat meat. I'm all about Texas De Brazil, Grimpa, and Fogo de Chao (Brazilian Steakhouses), because it tastes so good to me. I am not however, an advocate for cruelty, abuse, or violence towards animals. We can volunteer at an animal shelter or hospital. Maybe we can help the environment by planting a tree, volunteering to clean our beaches, or any other activity that helps preserve this planet.


I know we all have very busy lives and finding time do anything is tough, let alone giving back to others. Sometimes we don't even make time to spend a few minutes with our families. So, why would we bother to spend time helping another family? Why give back when I myself don't have enough, right? It's difficult to imagine, in this Instant Gratification/Me, Myself, and I culture, that people would be willing to sacrifice some of their time and resources to give to someone who isn't as lucky. We live in a world that tells us that we are all individuals, to look out for number 1, their is no God, no afterlife, no hope, no purpose...so how can we expect anyone to care about their fellow humans or this planet?

As far as I'm concerned, that philosophy is so misguided and 100% influenced by the selfishness of humans. All problems humanity has ever faced come from our lack of consideration for others. Religion is not to blame for wars fought in their name. God is not to be blamed when a priest does unspeakable acts of evil. Maybe it's time we stop hiding behind our beliefs and blaming them, and start taking responsibility. God didn't command that clergy person to commit those acts. In fact, God abhors that type of behavior. It has no place in the church. When we blame Islam and the teachings in the Koran for extremist groups and their actions (911, and many other attacks), we are in the wrong. Islam does not teach them to do these things. Rather, they are twisting words and distorting Islamic doctrines to suit their agendas. The individuals who commit the acts are solely responsible, not the belief system they claim to follow. I promise you, any person who commits tyranny in the name of their deity, knows nothing about that deity. John Lennon was wrong when he said that if there was no religion, the world would be a perfect place. Humans would find another avenue in order to achieve their horrible, and selfish agendas. Sorry for the little rant there....

Anyway, it's time we stop thinking about me, me, me...and realize that life is about relationships, connections, and love. Love makes the world go round. Love for humanity, love for nature, love for all creation, love for oneself....these are the things that make life worth living. If we give just a little bit everyday, imagine how we could change the world.

Finally, I'm sure you are wondering how I will find a way to tie this to college life, and our professional career. It's simple: Volunteer work, charitable associations and activities look absolutely amazing on a resume. Believe it or not, employers look very favorably on employees that give back to the community. It's especially great for young people, and college students with little or no work experience. You should absolutely list your charitable work on a resume. It could help you land that first great job!



-Danny
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