5. Bio Power
Gifts from the heart… and the scalp…
When you give, you really give a part of yourself when you use your ‘Bio Power.’ You can donate blood, cut off your hair, or even shave your head for a cause. Visit America’s Blood Centers or the American Red Cross for more information about donating blood or platelets- you can also donate blood at most hospitals.
Got some hair to spare? Locks of Love “provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children in the United States and Canada under age 21 suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis.”
4. Muscle Power
Participate in an event that gives your muscles a workout instead of your wallet. You can ride your bike either 50 or 100 miles in the Granite State Quest in New Hampshire this July or walk almost 40 miles in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer (events take place across the country from April to October and both men and women are welcome). Another option is volunteering your muscles to make a home for someone with Habitat for Humanity.
3. Business Power
Business owners: giving is also a great public relations strategy, and can even get your company free publicity. It can be as simple as making space at your business for a collection tin for your favorite charity or organizing a food bank or warm coat collection. One Warm Coat is an “easy and convenient way to help people in need in your community. Our goal is to provide any person in need with a warm coat, free of charge.” Sometimes there are tax incentives associated with giving, so check with your accountant. Successful charitable fund-raising has much in common with managing a business: It requires leadership, persistence, and creativity.
2. Purchase Power
Gifts from the heart… and the scalp…
When you give, you really give a part of yourself when you use your ‘Bio Power.’ You can donate blood, cut off your hair, or even shave your head for a cause. Visit America’s Blood Centers or the American Red Cross for more information about donating blood or platelets- you can also donate blood at most hospitals.
Got some hair to spare? Locks of Love “provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children in the United States and Canada under age 21 suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis.”
4. Muscle Power
Participate in an event that gives your muscles a workout instead of your wallet. You can ride your bike either 50 or 100 miles in the Granite State Quest in New Hampshire this July or walk almost 40 miles in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer (events take place across the country from April to October and both men and women are welcome). Another option is volunteering your muscles to make a home for someone with Habitat for Humanity.
3. Business Power
2. Purchase Power
Okay, you might be thinking Purchase Power? I thought you said this wasn’t going to cost me any money? By purchase power, I mean rethinking purchases you are going to make anyways (or have already made).
I resolved to stop accumulating and begin the infinitely more serious and difficult task of wise distribution. (Andrew Carnegie, Steel Magnate and Philanthropist)
For example, have you ever considered buying your favorite jackass a donkey for his birthday? You can buy him a real live donkey through Oxfam Unwrapped – a donkey that will go to a needy family in another country. According to their website, donkeys are a real ass-et. Or you can do your shopping through a site like Give Back America, where retailers like Target, BestBuy and Expedia pay a commission when purchases are made through the site- up to 7% of your purchase amount will be donated to a charity of your choice.
Some purchases earn you points in a reward program, which you can donate. You can donate your frequent flyer miles to a variety of charities, such as The Children’s Wish Foundation (Delta) or March of Dimes (Continental). Each airline is different, so check them out.
Or, if you personally have an occasion involving gifts coming up, perhaps it’s time to say ‘I’ve got enough stuff!’ and ask people to donate to a charity instead. You can put a cash box out at the party or ask guests to bring something to donate. For example, if your little girl loves babies but already has enough dollies to open her own store, she might be very excited about collecting gifts for Newborns In Need instead. If you have a sports fan in the family, use a special occasion to raise money for an organization that gives every kid an opportunity to participate in team sports.
For an unforgettable trip, consider spending your vacation money and time on a volunteer vacation: a rewarding way to truly connect with a different culture. You could build a house for local residents, teach English, or assist in a medial clinic. Volunteers on a volunteer vacation through the Earthwatch Institute work with scientists to solve environmental problems, while Cross Cultural Solutions offers a wide variety of volunteer opportunities from playing with children at an orphan’s school in Russia to teaching basic computer skills at a women’s shelter in South Africa.
1. Hour Power
Brother, can you spare some time? It’s a valuable commodity these days. In fact, all of the 10 items on this list involve your willingness to donate some of your time. Here are some more:
Donation of your professional expertise is a powerful way to have an impact on others. After all, time is money – what’s your time worth? You might be a website designer, auto mechanic, lawyer, hairstylist, or landscaper- whatever you do, there’s quite likely a charity out there that can use your help or advice. Sites like VolunteerMatch allow you to search for volunteer opportunities by location and keywords so that you can find a volunteer position just right for you. Consider your hobbies as well: you can help out while doing something you enjoy. For example, if diving is your hobby, you can join a research team on a marine conservation expedition with Global Vision International.
If you have the time and the people skills, talk to your employer about getting the company involved in charity work. The key here is to make it easy for them to participate. It will help if the charity ties in to marketing goals or is particularly meaningful to the business owners (or the customers) in some way. You might offer to organize a charity event for your employer or to manage a corporate team. It won’t cost you a thing except your time, because you’ll be using their money. Genius!
