Gratitude And Giving Back:
Making Thanksgiving More Than A Holiday
By
Sara Davenport
The holidays are fast approaching and this is the time of year many of us pause to think about everything we have to be thankful for – our family’s health, a nice home, loved ones, and the ability to buy the things we need are just a few.
Many of us at Muscogee Moms work with local outreach or volunteer programs within our community and churches. This work got us thinking – instead of sitting around the Thanksgiving table sharing what we are grateful for, what if everyone showed their gratitude through works of service.
“Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.”
~ Muhammad Ali
Sara Davenport (Staff Writer), Charlotte Bowman (Owner of Muscogee Moms), Katie Damke (Sales Executive)
This November, in celebration of Thanksgiving, our theme is Gratitude and Giving Back.
Muscogee Moms decided to kick off Gratitude and Giving Back Month a little early by serving at Trinity Episcopal Church’s Prayer Breakfast on Sunday, October 27th. Charlotte and Katie even brought along two eager, pint-sized volunteers to help out. Every Sunday morning, Trinity offers a Prayer Breakfast to the homeless and needy within our community. Those who attend are treated to a brief devotional, followed by breakfast, coffee, and juice.
On that specific morning Muscogee Moms, along with the Trinity Prayer Breakfast Team, was able to serve a hearty breakfast of biscuits, eggs, grits and sausage to 102 people in need. Charlotte’s and Katie’s sons chipped in by handing out butter and jam and calling table numbers to come through the service line. So many of those who attended made a special point to express how thankful they were for the hot meal.
Gratitude and Giving Back Month officially kicks off on Friday, November 1st. Every day in November, Muscogee Moms will feature a different charitable organization on our Facebook page, along with information on how you can get involved. Since
everyone has their niche, our goal is to feature a variety of agencies that serve Animals to Veterans, and everything in between, throughout the Columbus, Phenix City and Harris County communities.
With only 30 days in November, it is impossible to highlight all the wonderful organizations in our community. United Way of the Chattahoochee Valley’s website is a fantastic resource for identifying non-profit organizations in our area. You can even search for half- or full-day, on-going or one-day volunteer opportunities, in addition to requests for in-kind donations.
So you may be asking yourself, “Where do I start?” or “How do I figure out to which organization to give my time?” Network for Good’s website offers 10 Tips on Volunteering Wisely.*
- Research the causes or issues important to you. Look for a group that works with issues about which you feel strongly.
- Consider the skills you have to offer. If you enjoy outdoor work, have a knack for teaching, or just enjoy interacting with people, you may want to look for volunteer work that would incorporate these aspects of your personality.
- Would you like to learn something new? Perhaps you would like to learn a new skill or gain exposure to a new situation.
- Combine your goals. Look for volunteer opportunities that will also help you achieve other goals for your life.
- Don’t over-commit your schedule. Make sure the volunteer hours you want to give fit into your hectic life, so that you don’t frustrate your family, exhaust yourself, shortchange the organization you’re trying to help or neglect your job.
- Nonprofits may have questions, too. If you contact an organization with an offer to volunteer your time, you may be asked to come in for an interview, fill out a volunteer application, or describe your qualifications and your background just as you would at an interview for a paying job.
- Consider volunteering as a family. Think about looking for a volunteer opportunity suitable for parents and children to do together, or for a husband and wife to take on as a team.
- Virtual volunteering? If you have computer access and the necessary skills, some organizations now offer the opportunity to do volunteer work over the computer.
- I never thought of that! Most of us know that hospitals, libraries, and churches use volunteers for a great deal of their work, but there are some volunteer opportunities that may not have crossed your mind such as working with monuments, museums, community bands and orchestras, prisons, community theaters, national parks, etc.
- Give voice to your heart through your giving and volunteering! Bring your heart and your sense of humor to your volunteer service, along with your enthusiastic spirit, which in itself is a priceless gift. What you’ll get back will be immeasurable!
Muscogee Moms would love to know how your family serves others! Email pictures and a brief description of your family’s volunteer activities to [email protected] and we’ll feature your pictures from time-to-time on our Facebook page.
*Click here for Network for Good’s full article on “10 Tips for Volunteering Wisely”.
