Change the World in Just 48 Hours

I hope that you are reading this in the comfort of your home, surrounded by friends and family, enjoying great food and music. Whether you are a fulltime resident with family in town, or visiting from another place, hopefully you are where you want to be this week. And if you are one of the lucky ones left unscathed by the foreclosure crises, job loss, poor investment returns, or fraudulent investment managers, you have quite a lot to be thankful for. With only a few days life in the year, many of us are ready to say good-bye and good riddance to 2008. It's been quite a ride.

No doubt, you've received a fair number of requests for contributions through the mail and online. For some people, it's hard enough to muster up funds for a holiday meal, decorations, and modest gifts, let alone support their favorite causes. And the economic predictions for 2009 remain flat. But don't think you have to quit supporting your favorite causes because you don't have cash.

Here's how you can get started: 1) Determine what you can do right now, today, at this very moment. 2) Make a list of your favorite nonprofits or the hurts you want to heal. 3) Pick up the phone and talk to a real, live person. Yes, you can visit the Web site; but talking to a person can compel a stronger commitment. Ask about their needs and make an offer to help. 4) Can't find a volunteer job? Call the United Way, Senior Friendship Centers, or visit www.volunteermatch.org. Don't know what items to donate? Ask the nonprofit for a wish list of their top 10 program or operating needs. 5) Decide how you want to help, write it down, and stick to it.

Below are some simple ideas you can use to create a meaningful giving plan for 2009:

• Provide a service. Do you have a skill or a trade, either as a full-time service professional or as a hobbyist? Maybe you can volunteer one Saturday a month at your favorite charity to help with repairs, paint, sew, knit, cut hair, take photographs, install security software on computers, update a website, or cook a meal. If you select 12 days a year (once a month) to volunteer for four-hour time blocks, you will have provided 48 hours of service. Or bump it up to an eight-hour time block to make it 96 hours.

• Adopt a nonprofit. Ask your employer if your company will select a charity in 2009 to support. Or get a group of friends together. Throughout the year, you may take up a monetary collection, volunteer for special projects, or host an appreciation day for staff and volunteers by providing lunch or washing cars.

• Repurpose items. Do you have duplicates of household items that are in good working condition? Extra tools, cleaning supplies, cars, craft items, cookware, furniture, linens, or building supplies that are new or gently used can be of great use to a variety of nonprofits. A good question to ask yourself is "Is this a reliable item that I would be willing to give to a close friend in need?" If the answer is "yes," then the item may be considered for use by a charity. A gently used tool box with hand tools for a foster home, craft supplies and cloth for an art teacher, a car for a needy family, or furniture for the waiting room of a clinic will be one less expense for the nonprofit.

• Shop at your local thrift stores. It is frustrating to see good, clean, stillusable furniture on the side of the road to be picked up on trash day. All it takes is a phone call to a nonprofit thrift shop and they will be more than happy to come to your home to pick up items. These items provide income for the nonprofit and reduces what ends up in the landfill. There are dozens of thrift shops in Lee, Collier, and Charlotte counties.

• Change your language. When the headlines focus on a scandal at a charity, it can seem easy to write off the entire charitable sector. But the fact is, like in the corporate sector and in government, the majority of the agencies and their workforce consist of honest, hardworking, passionate people. Sometimes, one bad incident will get more media coverage than several success stories. If you have concerns about a charity, call them and request a copy of their latest annual report or audit. Reputable nonprofits will gladly provide you with the information you request. Resist the notion that one person "can't really make a difference" and plow ahead with your own personal crusade of change.

There is enough to go around and then some.

On behalf of the Southwest Florida Community Foundation and its two divisions, the Bonita Springs Community Foundation and the Good Neighbor Community Foundation of Sanibel-Captiva, we wish you peace and hope in the New Year.

The Southwest Florida Community Foundation has been supporting the communities of Lee, Charlotte, Collier, Glades and Hendry counties through endowed funds for nearly 32 years, and during that time has provided more than $30 million in grants and scholarships. For more information, call 274- 5900, or visit www.floridacommunity.com.