Next month my *incredible* best friend is heading to France to help refugees in need. This isn’t the first time she’s done something like this either – she’s always lending a hand to those who need it most. She is such an inspiration, and it’s got me thinking about what I can do to support those less fortunate in the future.
Once a month I bag up my old clothes and take them to my local charity shop, I regular offer pro-bono services to non-profit organizations, and I’ve raised money for sporting activities in the past; these are all baby steps, and despite not getting my hands dirty, these still give me a warm fuzzy feeling inside. Now I want to do more.
We all know that giving to charity can help those in need, but what many people don’t think about is the positive impact that donating to a good cause can have on them. Below is a list of reasons why everybody should lend a hand to charity once in a while…
An opportunity to make a difference
You only have to turn on the TV or read a newspaper to see what’s going on in the world right now, and it’s natural to feel the urge to help. Even if you feel like you’re miles away from the problem itself, charity organisations give you the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of men, women, and children all around the globe.
There are a number of ways you can do your bit for charity. For example, making a monetary contribution is one of the quickest and most efficient ways to help those who need it most. You could make a one-off payment, sign up to contribute on a regular basis, or choose to donate like many Muslims by giving zakat. Regardless of how you go about it, donating to charity is a great way to make a difference, and whether you can afford to give a little or a lot, any amount of money is appreciated by these types of organisations.
Aside from giving money, you can make contributions in other ways too. You could donate your unwanted belongings to your local charity shops, such as clothes, shoes, books, and jewellery, while some organisations accept contributions such as non-perishable foodstuffs and useful goods including sleeping bags, tents, and blankets. Even if these items don’t mean much to you, they could mean the world to someone else.
Experience the feel-good factor
Apart from having a huge impact on others, giving to charity could make you feel good too. Regardless of whether you choose to contribute money, donate items to a charity shop or decide to dedicate your time to volunteering, the act of giving is guaranteed to be positive and rewarding, and in turn, it should make you realise just how lucky you are. Selflessly giving to charity is not only benefitting others, but it could help shape you into a more grateful, understanding and compassionate person.
Have fun
There’s no denying that giving to a charity, to some degree, is a serious matter. However, when it comes to fundraising and increasing awareness, there’s no reason why you can’t have some fun. There are a whole host of exciting charity projects you could get involved with. Whether you take part in an organised event, such as a sporting activity like a run, walk, bike ride, triathlon or mountain trek, or you choose to hold your own Great British Bake Off style competition with your colleagues at work, you’ll soon discover that you can have fun while also doing your bit for a worthwhile cause.
It’s no secret that giving to charity is a great thing to do, so why not get involved and help make a difference today?