Uraniumfish
Uraniumfish

Volunteering for the holidays

In case you were thinking you want to do something besides hanging out at home, eating sweets, here are some pointers on howto help others over the holidays:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_localnyc/donation-days-a-guide-to-the-organizations-that-count-on-new-yorkers-time-and-generosity?bouchon=501,ny
The opinions expressed here are those of the individual and not those of StreetAdvisor.
4 people following
this discussion
Report

11 Comments

BroadwayBK
BroadwayBK 2yrs+
This is cool. I actually need something to do with all my spare time. It's going to have to wait until after the holidays, though - or at least until this blizzard lets up.
Report
The opinions expressed here are those of the individual and not those of StreetAdvisor.
uptowngirl
uptowngirl 2yrs+
Americans are some of the most giving people that I know. They give back to community by volunteering, fund raising and donating-attributes yet to be found in the emerging economies which are creating enormous bands of wealthy, selfish people who are obsessed with consuming and don't give back to the community at all. Really tragic for in these economies are huge swathes of people who live way below the poverty line.
Report
The opinions expressed here are those of the individual and not those of StreetAdvisor.
Uraniumfish
Uraniumfish 2yrs+
@BraodwayBK I hear you. It's exactly around now that I most want something purposeful to do, but doesn't seem like any of the bog charities need help now. Somebody should start up a series of temp project for community improvement that are done around the holidays. I get the feeling a lot of people out there have extra time around now and don't always know what to do with it.
Report
The opinions expressed here are those of the individual and not those of StreetAdvisor.
BroadwayBK
BroadwayBK 2yrs+
This is that time of year that we are all constantly reminded of people who need assistance, which is likely the reason why all the big charities would be brimming with volunteers?

I have been thinking about launching my own nonprofit, but now is exactly the time not to do so due to the economy.
Report
The opinions expressed here are those of the individual and not those of StreetAdvisor.
Uraniumfish
Uraniumfish 2yrs+
@BroadwayBK Even nonprofits pay salaries to their employees. You can get a good non-profit funded by grants and such.

Also, it was especially striking how many donation requests I got in the last couple of weeks, with every nonprofit out there trying desperately to milk the holiday mood. Not that it's a bad strategy, but I wish there were at least one nonprofit that had asked me for my time specifically. I would have given that much more readily. Pity really. As I said above, I bet there's some extra time giving energy around the holidays that nonprofits aren't tapping into.
Report
The opinions expressed here are those of the individual and not those of StreetAdvisor.
hhusted
hhusted 2yrs+
I would help in some way, but unfortunately, right now I can't. However, I am still helping people by way of my website.
Report
The opinions expressed here are those of the individual and not those of StreetAdvisor.
uptowngirl
uptowngirl 2yrs+
@hhusted what website?
Report
The opinions expressed here are those of the individual and not those of StreetAdvisor.
hhusted
hhusted 2yrs+
@Uptowngirl: I created a website to help people stop smoking. Right now I charge people to use the site, however, I am going to be changing things with it so as to make a lot of the content free for everyone. If you want to see it, the site is www.healyourlungs.com.
Report
The opinions expressed here are those of the individual and not those of StreetAdvisor.
BroadwayBK
BroadwayBK 2yrs+
@Uraniumfish Well, yeah. It definitely helps to pay employees. Otherwise they are mere volunteers. :) I noticed the same thing about donation requests, but I can understand it. I'm sure when times are tough these organizations suffer just as much (or more) as the rest of us.
Report
The opinions expressed here are those of the individual and not those of StreetAdvisor.
uptowngirl
uptowngirl 2yrs+
@hhusted interesting site, skimmed through it will go back and read more later
Report
The opinions expressed here are those of the individual and not those of StreetAdvisor.
hhusted
hhusted 2yrs+
@Uptowngirl: Yeah, I changed it. You can access all articles, but to read the entire article, you have to pay for an e-book, which is low cost.
Report
The opinions expressed here are those of the individual and not those of StreetAdvisor.

Add a comment

Best Neighborhoods to Live In

8.9

Gramercy Park
Ranked 3rd best neighborhood in Manhattan. View More
8.7

Russian Hill
Ranked 1st best neighborhood in San Francisco. View More
8.6

Magnolia
Ranked 2nd best neighborhood in Seattle. View More
8.9

Georgetown
Ranked 3rd best neighborhood in Washington. View More

Best Cities to Live In

6.9

Boston
Ranked 1st best city in Massachusetts. View More
7.1

Chicago
Ranked 2nd best city in Illinois. View More
7.1

Minneapolis
Ranked 7th best city in Minnesota. View More
5.8

Philadelphia
Ranked 2nd best city in Pennsylvania. View More

Tell everyone what you love about your neighborhood!

Leave a Review

Have a question?

How are schools? Is the area safe? What about public transit options?" Why not ask our community of locals!

Ask Now

Selling or Renting Your Home?

Maximize the selling price of your home by sharing what you love about your suburb to increase its appeal...

Leave a Review

Corporate Relocation Manager?

Enable your employees to share local knowledge in a private, trusted environment with those relocating... while building community.

Learn More

To leave a review, please search for a city or neighborhood, click search, then click the "write a review" button near the top of the page.

Close x