"We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give"
- Winston Churchill
Did you know that millennial entrepreneurs are leaders in charitable giving and volunteerism while entrepreneurs of all ages tend to be more generous with their time and money, credited with a median giving of 50% higher than non-entrepreneurs, according to Fidelity Charitable?
They say that great opportunities to help others seldom come, but small ones surround us every day. It has been my good fortune to find a share of both over the past years, including Board service with the Skin Cancer Foundation,VOICE Ovarian Cancer at Mt. Sinai and national volunteerism with the American Cancer Society, the National Osteoporosis Foundation, and others in women's health.
Among the benefits of charitable giving, one often finds their soul or life purpose. Mine was an easy path, given the military experience from family members and beyond in my personal history. After several years of Board service with several not-for-profits devoted to assisting female Veterans, I most recently partnered with Operation Warrior Shield, a 501c-3, devoted to "healing their hidden wounds".
As a Veterans Advocate and Special Advisor, I spearheaded a program of holistic wellness and community programs, designed to help Veterans (male and female) return to civilian life with dignity and an increased sense of well being. The program is recognized by the NYC Dept. of Veterans Services with status as a vetted provider and also includes no-cost training in Transcendental Meditation provided by the David Lynch Foundation. Future extended programming is planned with the nationally recognized Open Center. For further info, www.operationwarriorshield.org.
"We can do no great things, only small things with love"
- Mother Theresa
An example comes to mind. A recent dinner companion, upon receiving his "take-home bag" at the end of a good meal, explained that rather than taking those leftovers home for the next morning, he walks to Grand Central and gives to the homeless. A small thing, yes, but one done with love. As a wise woman once said, "find a need and fill it". Whether it is as a volunteer, a Board member, or even starting your own Foundation, giving back is probably one of the most liberating things one can do not only for others, but for yourself.. Thank you for reading my website and let's keep in touch via LinkedIn, Facebook, or akersnyc@aol.com.