Here we are again, folks! Out with the old! In with the new! Many of us have already reflected a bit about the past year and prepared one or more New Year’s Resolutions. What can we promise ourselves to start or stop doing on the first day of the year, that we’d truly stick with, once decided? (If you’re reading this after day 1 of any new year, you have my permission to start wherever you are!) Often New Year’s resolutions are about kicking a habit or improving our own lives in some way. In my efforts to support and inspire others, I love to throw out random alternative ideas. We can create New Year’s Resolutions from anything that sparks us! For instance, I enjoyed fashioning this poem (of sorts) with relevant rhyming words to suggest a wider view of resolutions. (Many of these serve to share impact beyond our...

Spring cleaning!   Out with the old, in with the new!   Feels good to declutter our surroundings, right? Wondering what to do with all the stuff you find during your "Spring Cleaning"?  This article, initially written as a guest blog for Activate Good, will help you take your efforts to new (and creative) levels!    Activate Good, a Raleigh NC nonprofit, connects volunteers with opportunities to serve, educates folks on community issues, assists companies to fulfill their corporate social responsibility, empowers youth to lead and serve, and so much more.  If you aren't in the Raleigh NC area, there are likely organizations in your community that would be ecstatic to receive your recycled and upcycled donations. National Volunteer Week is in April annually.  This year, it's April 21-27, 2024!  Visit ActivateGood.org for local volunteer opportunities (Greater Raleigh NC) or Google National Volunteer Week 2024 to find suggestions near you. Click here to read the...

Giving Back - Emphasize Abilities!   When it comes to volunteering, we all have our individual skill sets, interests, and passions.  Though some people are prone to talk in terms of deficit, or judge and compare others, why not choose inclusivity and ability instead? This article, initially written as a guest blog for Activate Good, (during our Covid Pandemic shortly after the 30th anniversary of the American Disabilities Act) addresses misconceptions around people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. (We'll abbreviate as “I/DD” here). Read some beautiful success stories about community residents with I/DD who are giving back along with some organizations in Raleigh NC who help facilitate this emphasis on ability!    "At the end of the day, we are all human..." (Michele Foy, ARC of the Triangle) Activate Good, a Raleigh NC nonprofit, connects volunteers with opportunities to serve, educates folks on community issues, assists companies to fulfill their corporate social responsibility, empowers youth to lead and serve,...

We are now in the “Season of Giving”. For some that means getting Christmas or Hannukah and other celebratory gifts purchased, wrapped, and sent. We plan gatherings for exchanging gifts and find many excuses to party!For others it’s giving back in lots of ways, like showing appreciation, donating time, volunteering, or monitarily supporting our favorite nonprofit(s), which are all meaningful and often lasting gifts for those who benefit. “Giving Tuesday” is annually the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. It’s a global movement to be generous in giving back to our communities. Founded in 2012 by United Nations Foundation, there is an organization and website for Giving Tuesday: https://www.givingtuesday.org. As Giving Tuesday approaches, we are reminded and encouraged to participate by multiple entities.  Anybody can give in a small or big way, though it’s not only, or all, about giving money.  (Note, “Giving Tuesday” is a NEW movement as it relates to my own personal years!)...