There is nothing that warms your soul more than helping others in need. It often triggers an instant connection to people – usually perfect strangers – seeking a helping hand.
Members of the John L. Scott Real Estate family regularly volunteer their time to help across the Pacific Northwest, including at Ronald McDonald House near Seattle Children’s Hospital. I’m partial to the efforts at Ronald McDonald House, as this concept of hosting families of hospitalized children/siblings got its start in my hometown of Philadelphia some 45 years ago.
At a recent day of volunteering in Seattle, John L. Scott’s team from the South Lake Union office prepared and served a nice, warm meal consisting of chicken drumsticks and meatloaf (about 100 meals in total) and shared a nice, warm hello and casual conversation with families seeking a break from the hospital environment.
We can attach extra meaning in life by serving a higher purpose than solely to ourselves or our families. And what better time than to take part in National Volunteer Week, which, coincidentally has also been around for 45 years and grown exponentially with thousands of volunteer projects and special events held during this special time.
(The John L. Scott, South Lake Union team serves up a well-rounded meal at Ronald McDonald House, Seattle, March 2019.)
This year’s week of focus is April 7-13, when special activities take place across Seattle/King County and throughout the nation. You can search on a list here or take the initiative and ask leaders at your local community or senior centers, non-profits and houses of worship about how you can pitch in. Think about helping others today – and next week and next month.
Contributing your time and resources for the betterment of community is one of the guiding principles of our company. Founder John L. Scott was a philanthropist and community activist who believed in the value of giving back. Now, Lennox Scott leads the business and drives the vision of The John L Scott Foundation, which was founded in 1997 in honor of his grandfather.
“Our mission is dedicated to ensuring that children have access to the medical care they need regardless of their ability to pay,” said Lennox Scott, Chairman and CEO of John L. Scott Real Estate. He said the aim of the foundation is “to sponsor events that help to raise millions of dollars for more than 15 children’s hospitals throughout the Pacific Northwest.”
Meanwhile, did you know 52% of America’s workforce left vacation time on the table in 2017? That totals an estimated 212 million vacation days, or the equivalent of $62.2 billion in lost benefits. Just think how that time could have been used if even a portion was spent volunteering?
A better idea than staying in the office: Take more vacation time and enjoy volunteering in your community or tourist destinations further afield. Yes, it’s possible to do good unto others while spending time off the grid.
One of the easiest ways to contribute is to use a mileage-tracking app that will help turn steps into cash. Charity Miles teams up with corporate sponsors to donate up to 25 cents a mile to one of dozens of charities (Feeding America, Pencils of Promise or World Wildlife Fund to name a few) for simply walking, running or even dancing. Cyclists can also earn up to 10 cents a mile for charity.
Taking it up a notch, Pack for a Purpose has established sites at more than 400 hotels and resorts in 60-plus countries where travelers can drop off items – notepads, soccer balls (deflated, with an inflation device), cooking utensils – found on the wish lists of local projects. Just save some space in your luggage and pack items of need for the country you’re planning to visit. (While visiting a school in a remote Guatemalan village without electricity, I was warmed to see young children appreciate our donation of pencils. It’s a small gesture but it’s big for those in need.)
Not sure where to vacation or how to volunteer? Consider reverse engineering the process and take a vacation to where help is needed. The Pacific Whale Foundation offers volunteering vacations in, of all places, Hawaii, or travel far and wide – to Thailand, Costa Rica or even the Galapagos Islands – through the Volunteers Vacations Abroad project.
Whether you help at home or abroad, volunteering can be an investment of time and resources large or small that will help pay dividends for people, places and things in need.